Numbers 32:15
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תְשׁוּבֻן֙
For if ye turn away
H7725
תְשׁוּבֻן֙
For if ye turn away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו
from after
H310
מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו
from after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְיָסַ֣ף
him he will yet again
H3254
וְיָסַ֣ף
him he will yet again
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
4 of 11
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֔וֹד
H5750
ע֔וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
them in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
them in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
7 of 11
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְשִֽׁחַתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall destroy
H7843
וְשִֽׁחַתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
8 of 11
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
This warning proved prophetic in Israel's later history. The northern kingdom's apostasy under Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12) resulted in exile and destruction. Individual and tribal sins repeatedly brought national judgment. The principle of corporate covenant responsibility permeated Israel's theology—the community bore collective guilt for individual transgressions unless they dealt with sin decisively. This explains the severity of commands to purge evil from Israel (Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle of corporate covenant responsibility challenge modern individualism?
- In what ways can one believer's compromise threaten an entire church's spiritual health?
- What does Moses's warning teach about the far-reaching consequences of turning away from God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people—Moses warns that turning away (shuv, שׁוּב) from following God would result in God abandoning (yanach, יָנַח) Israel in the wilderness again. The verb "turn away" is the same word used for repentance when it means turning toward God—here it depicts apostasy, turning from God.
The consequences extend beyond personal judgment to corporate destruction: "ye shall destroy all this people." Individual covenant-breaking endangers the entire community. God would abandon the nation again, repeating the wilderness judgment. This demonstrates covenant solidarity—Israel stood or fell together. One tribe's faithlessness could nullify God's purposes for all tribes, just as Achan's sin brought defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). Moses's warning underscores that covenant privileges carry covenant responsibilities affecting the whole body.