Numbers 14:33
And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם
And your children
H1121
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם
And your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִֽהְי֨וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֨וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רֹעִ֤ים
shall wander
H7462
רֹעִ֤ים
shall wander
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
3 of 13
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
4 of 13
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְנָֽשְׂא֖וּ
and bear
H5375
וְנָֽשְׂא֖וּ
and bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 13
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זְנֽוּתֵיכֶ֑ם
your whoredoms
H2184
זְנֽוּתֵיכֶ֑ם
your whoredoms
Strong's:
H2184
Word #:
9 of 13
adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תֹּ֥ם
be wasted
H8552
תֹּ֥ם
be wasted
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
11 of 13
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
Cross References
Ezekiel 23:35Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.Numbers 32:13And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.Psalms 107:40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.Deuteronomy 2:14And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.
Historical Context
The fleeing Israelites' cry and fear provided momentary sobriety, but within a day they again rebelled (16:41), showing that fear-based obedience doesn't produce heart transformation. Only grace creates genuine devotion.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is fear of judgment insufficient to produce lasting faith and obedience?
- How quickly do you forget God's demonstrated power when facing new temptations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Israel's response was flight and fear: 'all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them.' They feared lest 'the earth swallow us up also,' showing immediate recognition of God's power and their own vulnerability to judgment. This terror produced temporary reverence but not lasting faith, as subsequent rebellion (v. 41) proved.