Deuteronomy 1:39

KJV

Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover your little ones {H2945}, which ye said {H559} should be a prey {H957}, and your children {H1121}, which in that day {H3117} had no knowledge {H3045} between good {H2896} and evil {H7451}, they shall go in {H935} thither, and unto them will I give {H5414} it, and they shall possess {H3423} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, your little ones, who you said would be taken as booty, and your children who don't yet know good from bad -they will go in there; I will give it to them, and they will have possession of it.

Berean Standard Bible

And the little ones you said would become captives—your children who on that day did not know good from evil—will enter the land that I will give them, and they will possess it.

American Standard Version

Moreover your little ones, that ye said should be a prey, and your children, that this day have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:39 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and merciful provision, particularly for the next generation of Israelites. Following the rebellion of their parents, who, swayed by fear and unbelief, refused to enter the Promised Land, this verse reveals God's enduring commitment to His covenant promises. It directly refutes the fearful predictions of the older generation, emphasizing that the very children they believed would become "a prey" would instead be divinely empowered to inherit and possess the land, highlighting God's sovereign will to fulfill His purposes despite human failure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:39 is situated within Moses's extensive farewell discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they are to enter the Promised Land. Moses is recounting the pivotal events of their wilderness journey, particularly the disastrous rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. The preceding verses detail God's judgment upon the disobedient adult generation, who were condemned to die in the wilderness because of their unbelief and refusal to obey God's command to enter Canaan (as detailed in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). Verse 39 serves as a stark contrast to this judgment, specifically addressing the fate of the children whom the fearful parents had claimed would become "a prey" to the inhabitants of the land ([Numbers 14:3](/numbers/14-3 "Numbers 14:3 - The People's Fear and Complaint")). This verse underscores God's mercy and the continuity of His covenant, shifting the focus from the failures of the past generation to the hope and promise for the future.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the end of the forty-year wilderness wandering, with the Israelites poised on the brink of entering Canaan. The generation that exited Egypt had largely perished, and Moses was addressing their children, who were now adults. The fears expressed by the previous generation about their "little ones" becoming "a prey" were rooted in the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where conquered peoples, especially women and children, were often enslaved, plundered, or killed. This cultural backdrop makes God's promise in Deuteronomy 1:39 even more striking, as He directly counters these very real fears with a divine guarantee of protection and inheritance. The concept of collective responsibility and generational consequences was also prevalent, making God's specific exemption of the children, based on their innocence, a profound act of grace.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 1:39 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Mercy and Faithfulness**, demonstrating that God's ultimate plans are not thwarted by human failure; despite the profound unfaithfulness of the parents, God remains true to His covenant promises, extending His grace to the innocent children. This verse also highlights **Hope for the Next Generation**, showing that God's purposes transcend the immediate failures of one generation, as the children, deemed too vulnerable by their parents, are precisely the ones chosen by God to inherit the Promised Land. Furthermore, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience versus the Promise of Inheritance**, starkly contrasting the wilderness death of the rebellious generation with the blessing of the land for their children, thereby emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience. Finally, the phrase "had no knowledge between good and evil" speaks to the theme of **Innocence and Vulnerability**, emphasizing the children's lack of culpability for their parents' sins and God's protective care over the defenseless, ensuring they are not punished for the sins of others, a concept echoed in [Isaiah 7:16](/isaiah/7-16 "Isaiah 7:16 - Child's Discernment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prey (Hebrew, _baz_):** This word signifies plunder, spoil, or something taken by force. In the context of the parents' fearful declaration, it conveyed their anxiety that their children would be violently seized and enslaved by the inhabitants of Canaan. God's direct refutation of this fear, promising possession instead of plunder, underscores His sovereign power to protect and provide, turning human apprehension into divine assurance.
* **No knowledge between good and evil (Hebrew, _lo' yada' tov va-ra'_):** This phrase describes a state of moral immaturity or innocence, indicating that the children were not old enough to fully comprehend the moral implications of the choices made by the adult generation, nor were they capable of making such discerning judgments themselves. It highlights their lack of culpability for the rebellion of their parents, serving as the theological basis for God's merciful exemption of them from the wilderness judgment. This concept is distinct from a complete lack of understanding, but rather refers to an inability to make responsible moral decisions in a complex situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey,"**: This clause directly addresses the specific fear and complaint voiced by the rebellious generation at Kadesh-Barnea. They had accused God of bringing them into the wilderness to die, with their children becoming "a prey" to their enemies ([Numbers 14:3](/numbers/14-3 "Numbers 14:3 - The People's Fear and Complaint")). Moses here reminds them of their unbelief and God's immediate response, setting the stage for God's counter-declaration of grace.
* **"and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil,"**: This phrase emphasizes the innocence and moral immaturity of the children. They were not old enough to participate in the rebellious decision-making of their parents, nor could they fully grasp the spiritual implications of their actions. This moral distinction is crucial, as it provides the divine justification for their exemption from the judgment pronounced upon the culpable adults. God's justice is precise, distinguishing between those who knowingly rebel and those who are innocent.
* **"they shall go in thither,"**: This is a direct, declarative statement of God's sovereign will. Despite the parents' unbelief and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, God decrees that this new generation will indeed enter the Promised Land. "Thither" refers unequivocally to the land of Canaan, the very inheritance that the previous generation forfeited.
* **"and unto them will I give it,"**: This clause highlights the divine initiative and the nature of the inheritance as a gift. The land is not earned by the children, but sovereignly bestowed by God. This underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when human beings fail. It is an act of pure grace, demonstrating God's commitment to His word regardless of human merit.
* **"and they shall possess it."**: This final clause confirms the certainty and completeness of the inheritance. "Possess" implies not just entering, but taking full ownership and control, establishing a dwelling, and enjoying the benefits of the land. It signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, realized through this new generation, who would fully inhabit the land that their parents only glimpsed.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:39 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Contrast** is central, setting the fate of the disobedient parents (death in the wilderness) against the destiny of their innocent children (inheritance of the land). This highlights the stark difference between human fear and divine faithfulness. **Repetition** of ideas, through phrases like "little ones" and "children," emphasizes the focus on the vulnerable, innocent generation. The divine declaration, "they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it," functions as a **Divine Fiat** or **Prophetic Assurance**, underscoring God's absolute authority and the certainty of His word. The parents' fearful prediction of their children becoming "a prey" is met with God's promise of "possess[ion]," creating a powerful **Antithesis** that directly refutes human anxiety with divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:39 is a profound testament to God's enduring faithfulness and sovereign mercy, even in the face of profound human rebellion. It demonstrates that God's covenant promises are not ultimately contingent on human performance but on His own unchanging character and gracious will. While the consequences of sin are real and severe, God's justice is tempered with compassion, particularly for the innocent and vulnerable. This verse reveals a God who distinguishes between the culpable and the innocent, ensuring that His redemptive purposes are carried forward through a new generation. It underscores the theme of divine grace triumphing over human failure, ensuring the continuity of God's plan for His people and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises of inheritance.

* [Numbers 14:31](/numbers/14-31 "Numbers 14:31 - God's Promise to the Children")
* [Psalm 78:5-7](/psalms/78-5-7 "Psalm 78:5-7 - Teaching the Next Generation")
* [Lamentations 5:7](/lamentations/5-7 "Lamentations 5:7 - Children Bearing Parents' Sins (Contrast)")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:39 offers profound lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and His heart for the vulnerable. It challenges us to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem dire or our own fears overwhelm us. Just as God preserved and provided for the children of Israel despite their parents' unbelief, so too does He work to fulfill His purposes across generations, often through those we might deem weakest or least significant. This verse encourages us to actively invest in the spiritual well-being of the next generation, recognizing that God's redemptive plan often unfolds through them. It also calls us to consider the legacy of faith and obedience we are leaving, understanding that while God's mercy prevails, our choices can significantly impact the spiritual trajectory of those who follow us. Ultimately, it provides comfort that God cares deeply for the innocent and defenseless, demonstrating His justice and compassion in ensuring His covenant promises are realized.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to fear for the future, rather than trusting God's promises for yourself or for the next generation?**
* **How does God's mercy to the children in Deuteronomy 1:39 challenge your understanding of divine justice and grace?**
* **What practical steps can you take to invest in the spiritual growth and inheritance of the "next generation" in your family, church, or community?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to persevere in faith, even when you or others around you falter?**

### FAQ

**What does "no knowledge between good and evil" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Deuteronomy 1:39, "no knowledge between good and evil" refers to the children's moral immaturity or innocence. It means they were too young to fully understand the gravity of the choices made by the adult generation concerning entering the Promised Land, and therefore, they were not held morally culpable for their parents' rebellion. This phrase highlights their lack of personal responsibility for the collective sin, distinguishing them from the adults who consciously chose disobedience. It's a theological statement about their innocence in the eyes of God regarding that specific act of rebellion, rather than a general statement about their capacity for all moral discernment. A similar concept of a child's discernment is seen in [Isaiah 7:16](/isaiah/7-16 "Isaiah 7:16 - Child's Discernment").

**How does this verse demonstrate God's faithfulness despite human failure?**

Answer: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness by showing that despite the profound unbelief and rebellion of the adult generation, which led to their judgment, God did not abandon His covenant promises concerning the land. Instead, He chose to fulfill those promises through the very children whom the fearful parents had declared would be "a prey." God's word and plan for His people endure, even when His people falter. This highlights that God's ultimate purposes are rooted in His own character and covenant, not solely dependent on human merit or obedience. It's a testament to His steadfast love and commitment to His word, as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Covenant Loyalty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:39, with its emphasis on a new generation inheriting a promised land through divine grace, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "little ones" who were deemed innocent and given an inheritance foreshadow the spiritual children of God—those who, by grace through faith, are "born again" into a new spiritual lineage, not of works, but of God's Spirit ([John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again")). Just as the physical children were not punished for their parents' sins, so believers in Christ are not condemned by the sin of Adam, but are declared righteous through Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Righteousness Through Christ")). Jesus is the true Joshua, leading His people into the ultimate "Promised Land"—not a physical territory, but the eternal kingdom of God, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making it possible for those who once had "no knowledge" of true righteousness or were spiritually dead to enter into a living relationship with God and possess eternal life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through Christ, God's mercy triumphs over judgment, securing an eternal inheritance for all who believe, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His ultimate redemptive plan for humanity.

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

Isaiah 7:15

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:16

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Numbers 14:3

And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

Romans 9:11

(For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Numbers 14:31

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

Jonah 4:11

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle?

Ephesians 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.