Numbers 14:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But [as] truly [as] I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But as sure as I live, and that the whole earth is filled with the glory of ADONAI,

Berean Standard Bible:

“Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD,

American Standard Version:

but in very deed, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But as truly{H199} as I live{H2416}, all the earth{H776} shall be filled{H4390} with the glory{H3519} of the LORD{H3068}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Habakkuk 2:14

  • For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Psalms 72:19

  • And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.

Isaiah 6:3

  • And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.

Deuteronomy 32:40

  • For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Isaiah 49:18

  • ¶ Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, [and] come to thee. [As] I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them [on thee], as a bride [doeth].

Matthew 6:10

  • Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

Ezekiel 5:11

  • Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

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Commentary for Numbers 14:21

Numbers 14:21 is part of the narrative in the Book of Numbers, which recounts the experiences of the Israelites during their 40-year journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. This verse is set within the context of the Israelites' rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, where they refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear of the inhabitants, despite God's assurance of victory. As a consequence, God decreed that the generation of adults who came out of Egypt would not enter the land, but instead would wander in the wilderness until they perished, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

The theme of Numbers 14:21 is the affirmation of God's glory and His unwavering promise. Despite the Israelites' lack of faith, God reiterates His intention to fill the whole earth with His glory. This declaration underscores several key themes:

1. **Divine Presence and Glory**: The verse emphasizes that God's glory will be universally acknowledged, indicating His sovereignty over all creation.

2. **Faithfulness**: Despite the people's disobedience, God remains faithful to His promises, a testament to His grace and steadfastness.

3. **Judgment and Mercy**: While God judges the current generation of Israelites for their unbelief, He also promises future glory, demonstrating both His justice and mercy.

4. **Universal Impact**: The statement that "all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD" suggests a universal rather than a merely local significance to God's plan of redemption and revelation.

Historically, this verse reflects the theological perspective of the Priestly source in the Pentateuch, which emphasizes the holiness and glory of God. It also serves as a theological foundation for the later prophetic visions of the earth being full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14).

In summary, Numbers 14:21, set against the backdrop of the Israelites' rebellion, highlights God's enduring promise to manifest His glory throughout the earth, affirming His faithfulness and sovereignty despite human unfaithfulness.

*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: H199
    There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אוּלָם
    Transliteration: ʼûwlâm
    Pronunciation: oo-lawm'
    Description: apparently a variation of אוּלַי; however or on the contrary; as for, but, howbeit, in very deed, surely, truly, wherefore.
  2. Strong's Number: H2416
    There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חַי
    Transliteration: chay
    Pronunciation: khah'-ee
    Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
  3. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  4. Strong's Number: H4390
    There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָלֵא
    Transliteration: mâlêʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-lay'
    Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly.
  5. Strong's Number: H3519
    There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּבוֹד
    Transliteration: kâbôwd
    Pronunciation: kaw-bode'
    Description: rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
  6. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.