Numbers 14:39
And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר
told
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר
told
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
these sayings
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
these sayings
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵ֖י
unto all the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֖י
unto all the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
True repentance involves change of mind and direction; their mourning led instead to presumptuous attack against the Canaanites in direct defiance of God's command. This pattern—rejecting God's timing, then presuming on His blessing apart from His command—reveals hearts unchanged despite tears.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you mourn sin itself or merely its consequences?
- How can you distinguish genuine repentance from mere regret?
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Analysis & Commentary
When Moses reported God's judgment, 'all the people mourned greatly.' This grief came too late—they mourned the consequences of their unbelief but not the unbelief itself. False repentance regrets punishment rather than sin, a grief that leads not to life but to presumptuous disobedience (verses 40-45).