Deuteronomy 1:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:

Complete Jewish Bible:

The idea seemed good to me, so I took twelve of your men, one from each tribe;

Berean Standard Bible:

The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe.

American Standard Version:

And the thing pleased me well; and I took twelve men of you, one man for every tribe:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the saying^{H1697} pleased me well^{{H3190}{H5869}}: and I took^{H3947} twelve^{{H8147}{H6240}} men^{H582} of you, one^{H259} of a tribe^{{H376}{H7626}}:

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 1:23

Deuteronomy 1:23 is a verse that captures a moment in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, as Moses recounts the history of their wanderings to the new generation that is about to enter the Promised Land. The context of this verse is found within Moses' first discourse, where he reflects on the events at Kadesh-barnea, when the Israelites were on the brink of entering Canaan after their exodus from Egypt.

In this verse, Moses is recalling the people's positive response to his decision to send out scouts (spies) to explore the land of Canaan. The "saying" that pleased Moses refers to the people's agreement with his plan to reconnoiter the land they were to possess. Moses then took the initiative to select twelve men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, to undertake this crucial task. This action was significant for several reasons:

1. **Representation**: By choosing one leader from each tribe, Moses ensured that all tribes had a voice and a stake in the mission, fostering unity and collective responsibility.

2. **Leadership and Trust**: Moses' decision reflects his leadership style, which includes consulting with and involving the people in significant decisions, thus building trust and shared ownership of the outcomes.

3. **Preparation for Conquest**: The scouting mission was a practical step toward claiming the Promised Land, as it would provide valuable intelligence about the land's topography, agriculture, and inhabitants.

4. **Foreshadowing**: Unfortunately, this event also foreshadows the subsequent lack of faith and rebellion of the people when the scouts return with a mixed report, leading to a devastating loss of opportunity and the delay of entering the land for forty years.

The historical significance of Deuteronomy 1:23 lies in its role as a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting the themes of leadership, trust in God, communal responsibility, and the consequences of disobedience and faithlessness. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of collective wisdom and faith in God's promises, lessons that are crucial for the new generation as they prepare to inherit the land that was promised to their ancestors.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3190
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָטַב
   Transliteration: yâṭab
   Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen).
   
3. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6240
   There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂר
   Transliteration: ʻâsâr
   Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
   Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th).
   
7. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
8. Strong's Number: H259
   There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶחָד
   Transliteration: ʼechâd
   Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
   Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
   
9. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); 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); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7626
    There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁבֶט
    Transliteration: shêbeṭ
    Pronunciation: shay'-bet
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan; [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.