Numbers 32:11
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
Original Language Analysis
אִם
Surely
H518
אִם
Surely
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִרְא֨וּ
shall see
H7200
יִרְא֨וּ
shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽעֹלִ֣ים
that came up
H5927
הָֽעֹלִ֣ים
that came up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
9 of 20
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֛עְתִּי
which I sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֛עְתִּי
which I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
13 of 20
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Numbers 14:24But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.Numbers 26:2Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
Historical Context
The exception for those under twenty (14:29) meant that the current fighting men were children during the spy incident. They witnessed their parents' failure and its consequences—forty years of wandering and death. Yet here they faced similar temptation: settling for partial fulfillment rather than complete obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'wholly follow' God rather than offer partial obedience?
- How do you guard against settling for less than God's full promise for your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses recalled God's oath: 'Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land... because they have not wholly followed me.' The phrase 'wholly followed' distinguishes Joshua and Caleb from others. Partial obedience equals disobedience; complete commitment to God's purposes is required. Half-hearted following forfeits promised blessings.