Deuteronomy 1:19

KJV

¶ And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when we departed {H5265} from Horeb {H2722}, we went through {H3212} all that great {H1419} and terrible {H3372} wilderness {H4057}, which ye saw {H7200} by the way {H1870} of the mountain {H2022} of the Amorites {H567}, as the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} commanded {H6680} us; and we came {H935} to Kadeshbarnea {H6947}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"So we left Horev and went through all that vast and fearsome desert which you saw on the way to the hill-country of the Emori, as ADONAI our God ordered us; and we arrived at Kadesh-Barnea.

Berean Standard Bible

And just as the LORD our God had commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites, through all the vast and terrifying wilderness you have seen. When we reached Kadesh-barnea,

American Standard Version

And we journeyed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which ye saw, by the way to the hill-country of the Amorites, as Jehovah our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:19 serves as a pivotal point in Moses' recounting of Israel's wilderness journey, delivered to the new generation on the plains of Moab. It marks the transition from the foundational covenant experience at Mount Horeb (Sinai) through the formidable desert, culminating in their arrival at Kadesh-barnea, a location that would tragically become synonymous with the nation's profound failure of faith and subsequent forty-year detour in the wilderness. This verse encapsulates the divine command guiding their path and foreshadows the critical test awaiting them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy opens with Moses' final addresses to the new generation of Israelites, delivered in the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. Chapters 1-3 provide a historical prologue, a retrospective on the wilderness wanderings, framed as a reminder of God's faithfulness and Israel's past failures. Verse 19 specifically picks up the narrative thread from [Deuteronomy 1:6](/deuteronomy/1-6 "Deuteronomy 1:6 - Command to Depart Horeb"), where the LORD commanded Israel to depart from Horeb. It sets the stage for the crucial events at Kadesh-barnea, detailed in [Deuteronomy 1:20-46](/deuteronomy/1-20-46 "Deuteronomy 1:20-46 - The Spies and Rebellion at Kadesh"), which explain why the first generation did not enter the land. This verse, therefore, is a key transition point, linking the initial divine instruction to the subsequent national tragedy and the ensuing forty-year delay.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** After approximately a year at Mount Horeb (Sinai), where they received the Law and established the covenant with Yahweh, the Israelites were poised to enter Canaan. The journey described in this verse, from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea, was the direct route to the Promised Land, a journey that should have taken only a few days (cf. [Deuteronomy 1:2](/deuteronomy/1-2 "Deuteronomy 1:2 - Eleven Days from Horeb to Kadesh")). The "great and terrible wilderness" refers to the harsh, arid, and dangerous terrain of the Sinai Peninsula and the Negeb, characterized by extreme temperatures, scarcity of water and food, and potential encounters with hostile tribes. The "mountain of the Amorites" refers to the highland region bordering Canaan, inhabited by a powerful and intimidating people group, highlighting the formidable challenge of conquest that lay ahead. Kadesh-barnea itself was a significant oasis and strategic location on the southern border of Canaan, serving as a natural staging ground for an invasion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several foundational themes in Deuteronomy. Firstly, **Divine Guidance and Command** is paramount, as Moses explicitly states their journey was "as the LORD our God commanded us," emphasizing God's active, directive role in their history, even through difficult terrain. Secondly, the **Nature of the Wilderness** as "great and terrible" highlights the Israelites' utter dependence on God for survival and provision in a hostile environment, setting the stage for lessons in faith and obedience. Thirdly, the **Significance of Kadesh-barnea** is introduced, marking it as a critical juncture where Israel's faith would be tested, and their obedience (or lack thereof) would determine their immediate future. This location becomes a symbol of the consequences of unbelief, a stark reminder that divine promises require human trust and obedience, a theme vividly explored in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out") and [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion at Kadesh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Horeb (Hebrew, _Ḥōrēḇ'_):** From a root meaning "desolate," Horeb is the generic name for the Sinaitic mountains, often identified with Mount Sinai. This "desolate" landscape became the sacred site where God established His covenant and gave His Law to Israel. Departing from Horeb signifies the transition from a period of foundational revelation in a specific, consecrated place to the journey of obedience in the broader, often challenging, world.
* **Great and terrible (Hebrew, _gādôl wəyārē’_):** "Great" (_gādôl_, H1419) signifies immense size and significance, while "terrible" (_yārē’_, H3372) conveys a sense of awe, dread, or fear-inducing majesty. Applied to the wilderness, these terms describe a vast, formidable, and dangerous environment. This highlights the overwhelming nature of the journey and, by extension, the extraordinary power and faithfulness of the God who commanded and sustained His people through such a daunting landscape.
* **Kadeshbarnea (Hebrew, _Qāḏēš Barneaʿ'_):** This name, meaning "Kadesh of the Wilderness of Wandering," is a significant geographical and theological marker. Intended as the staging ground for entry into Canaan, it tragically became the site of Israel's profound national failure. Its mention here foreshadows the events of [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out") and [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion at Kadesh"), where Israel's unbelief and rebellion led to their condemnation to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It represents the threshold of the Promised Land that they failed to cross due to a lack of faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we departed from Horeb":** This marks the end of Israel's extended encampment at Mount Sinai, where they received the Law and established the covenant. It signifies the transition from revelation to journey, from receiving instruction to obeying it in the practicalities of life.
* **"we went through all that great and terrible wilderness":** This clause describes the arduous nature of the journey. The "wilderness" (midbar) was a desolate, arid region. The descriptors "great" (vast, immense) and "terrible" (awe-inspiring, dreadful, dangerous) emphasize the formidable challenges and dangers inherent in traversing such a landscape, highlighting the miraculous nature of their survival under divine guidance.
* **"which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites":** This detail grounds the narrative in the Israelites' shared experience. Moses is speaking to a generation who, though young at the time, would have witnessed parts of this journey and understood the geographical markers. The "mountain of the Amorites" indicates the highlands bordering Canaan, inhabited by a formidable people, signifying the proximity to the promised inheritance and the challenges of conquest.
* **"as the LORD our God commanded us":** This crucial phrase underscores the divine imperative behind their journey. It asserts that every step, even through the "terrible wilderness," was under God's direct instruction and guidance. It highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and the expectation of Israel's obedience, setting a theological framework for understanding both their progress and their subsequent failures.
* **"and we came to Kadeshbarnea":** This final clause names the destination of this initial phase of the journey. Kadesh-barnea was intended to be the staging ground for the invasion of Canaan. Its mention here foreshadows the pivotal events of the spies and the subsequent rebellion, making it a critical geographical and theological marker in Israel's history of faith and disobedience.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:19 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. The phrase **Descriptive Language** is prominent, particularly in "great and terrible wilderness," which uses evocative adjectives to paint a vivid picture of the challenging environment, creating a sense of awe and dread that underscores the magnitude of God's leading. The verse also functions as a prime example of **Narrative Recapitulation**, a key feature of Deuteronomy, where Moses retells past events to the new generation, not merely as history but as a didactic tool to teach lessons of obedience and faith. The mention of "Kadeshbarnea" serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the tragic events detailed later in the chapter and in Numbers, where Israel's unbelief at this very location led to their prolonged wilderness wandering. The consistent use of the first-person plural "we" (e.g., "we departed," "we went," "we came") creates a sense of **Collective Memory and Shared Experience**, drawing the audience into the historical narrative and emphasizing their inherited legacy of both divine faithfulness and national failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:19 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereign guidance and the human response to it. It encapsulates the journey from divine revelation (Horeb) to the threshold of promise (Kadesh-barnea), highlighting the intervening period of testing in a "great and terrible wilderness." This journey, though divinely commanded, was fraught with challenges designed to cultivate dependence and obedience. The arrival at Kadesh-barnea, a place of potential triumph, instead became a site of national failure due to unbelief, demonstrating that God's promises are conditional on faithful human response. The verse thus sets a crucial precedent for understanding the interplay between divine initiative and human responsibility in the unfolding of salvation history.

* [Numbers 13:26](/numbers/13-26 "Numbers 13:26 - Spies Return to Kadesh")
* [Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1-4 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion and Desire for a New Leader")
* [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Warning Against Hardening Hearts, Like Israel at Kadesh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:19 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating their own spiritual journeys. Just as Israel moved from the mountain of revelation into a challenging wilderness, so too do we often find ourselves transitioning from moments of spiritual clarity and encounter with God into periods of testing and difficulty. The "great and terrible wilderness" represents the trials, uncertainties, and daunting circumstances of life that God permits, and sometimes even commands us, to traverse. Our "Kadesh-barnea moments" are those critical junctures where faith is truly tested—when the promised land is within sight, but fear, doubt, or the perceived obstacles tempt us to shrink back from God's command. This verse challenges us to remember that God's command is always accompanied by His presence and provision, even in the most formidable landscapes. Our response in these moments of decision, whether it be trust and obedience or fear and rebellion, ultimately determines our progress toward the blessings God has prepared for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great and terrible wilderness" might God be leading you through today, and how are you responding to its challenges?**
* **Have you experienced "Kadesh-barnea moments" in your life where fear or unbelief prevented you from stepping into a promised blessing or obeying a clear divine command?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, even through difficult times, strengthen your trust for future journeys?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Horeb" in this verse?**

Answer: "Horeb" is another name for Mount Sinai, the holy mountain where God revealed His Law to Israel and established His covenant with them (see [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai") and [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")). In Deuteronomy 1:19, departing from Horeb signifies the end of a foundational period of divine instruction and the beginning of the practical journey of obedience towards the Promised Land. It marks the transition from receiving revelation to living it out in the world.

**Why is the wilderness described as "great and terrible"?**

Answer: The wilderness is described as "great" (vast, immense) and "terrible" (awe-inspiring, dreadful, fear-inducing) to emphasize its formidable and dangerous nature. It was an arid, desolate, and challenging environment, full of physical hardships and potential threats. This description highlights the magnitude of the journey the Israelites undertook and, by extension, the miraculous nature of God's protection and provision that sustained them through such a hostile landscape. It underscores their utter dependence on God for survival.

**What is the importance of "Kadeshbarnea" in Israel's history?**

Answer: Kadesh-barnea was a crucial oasis and strategic location on the southern border of Canaan, intended as the staging ground for Israel's entry into the Promised Land. However, it tragically became the site of their greatest national failure. From Kadesh, Moses sent out twelve spies to scout the land (as recounted in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out")). Ten of the spies returned with a fearful report, leading the people to rebel against God and refuse to enter the land, despite Caleb and Joshua's faithful urging. As a result of this profound act of unbelief and disobedience, God condemned that entire generation (except Caleb and Joshua) to wander in the wilderness for forty years until they died off, as detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion at Kadesh"). Thus, Kadesh-barnea symbolizes the severe consequences of unbelief and the importance of trusting God's promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:19, in its recounting of Israel's journey from Horeb through the "great and terrible wilderness" to Kadesh-barnea, profoundly foreshadows the redemptive journey of humanity and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The wilderness journey, divinely commanded yet fraught with peril, mirrors the spiritual pilgrimage of believers in a fallen world, where God's people are led through trials and temptations designed to test and refine their faith. Just as Israel was sustained by God's miraculous provision in the desert (e.g., manna, water from the rock, cf. [Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna for Forty Years"); [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")), so too are believers sustained by Christ, who is the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"). The tragic failure at Kadesh-barnea, rooted in unbelief and disobedience, highlights humanity's inability to enter God's rest through their own efforts, a theme powerfully developed in [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Warning Against Hardening Hearts"). Christ, however, is the faithful Son who perfectly obeyed God, even through the wilderness of temptation (cf. [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), and through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, He has opened the way for all who believe to enter into the true [rest of God](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God"). He is the ultimate leader who brings His people not just to the border, but into the promised inheritance, fulfilling all that Israel failed to achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 1:2

([There are] eleven days' [journey] from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)

Jeremiah 2:6

Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

Deuteronomy 8:15

Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

Numbers 13:26

¶ And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Deuteronomy 32:10

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Numbers 10:12

And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.