(The Lord speaking is red text)
But [as] truly [as] I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
But as sure as I live, and that the whole earth is filled with the glory of ADONAI,
“Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD,
but in very deed, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah;
But as truly{H199} as I live{H2416}, all the earth{H776} shall be filled{H4390} with the glory{H3519} of the LORD{H3068}.
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)