Joshua 5:6

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people [that were] men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

For the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} walked {H1980} forty {H705} years {H8141} in the wilderness {H4057}, till all the people {H1471} that were men {H582} of war {H4421}, which came out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714}, were consumed {H8552}, because they obeyed {H8085} not the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}: unto whom the LORD {H3068} sware {H7650} that he would not shew {H7200} them the land {H776}, which the LORD {H3068} sware {H7650} unto their fathers {H1} that he would give {H5414} us, a land {H776} that floweth {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}.

because the people of Isra'el walked forty years in the desert until the whole nation, that is, the fighting men who had left Egypt, had died out; because they had not heeded what ADONAI said. ADONAI had sworn that he would not allow them to see the land which ADONAI swore to their ancestors that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the nation, even the men of war that came forth out of Egypt, were consumed, because they hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah: unto whom Jehovah sware that he would not let them see the land which Jehovah sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Commentary

Joshua 5:6 provides a crucial retrospective, explaining the profound reason behind Israel's forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. It serves as a vital historical and theological bridge in the narrative, connecting the generation that experienced the Exodus with the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land.

Context

This verse explains the divine rationale for the extended wilderness period, immediately following the account of the second generation of Israelites being circumcised at Gilgal. This act symbolized the end of the wilderness wandering and their renewed covenant with God, preparing them to claim their inheritance. The verse looks back at the previous generation, specifically the "men of war" who came out of Egypt, clarifying that their demise in the wilderness was a direct consequence of their disobedience and unbelief.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The central message is the severe penalty for rebellion against God's direct commands. The previous generation's refusal to trust God and enter the land when commanded, particularly after the report of the spies at Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 14:34), resulted in their exclusion from the Promised Land. This highlights God's unwavering justice and the seriousness of defying His voice.
  • God's Faithfulness and Justice: While God's justice is evident in the judgment, His faithfulness is also underscored. He swore an oath to their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) to give them the land, and He would indeed fulfill that promise, but through a new, obedient generation. This demonstrates that God's promises are sure, though His timing and methods are intricately tied to human obedience.
  • Divine Purpose in Suffering: The forty years were not merely punishment but also a refining period, shaping a people ready to possess their inheritance. It was a time for the old, rebellious spirit to pass away and a new, trusting spirit to emerge, prepared for the challenges of conquest.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "were consumed" (Hebrew: tamam) implies a complete finishing or termination, emphasizing that this generation entirely perished in the wilderness. The description of the Promised Land as "a land that floweth with milk and honey" (Hebrew: eretz zavat chalav u'devash) is a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch, signifying its incredible fertility, abundance, and God's generous provision for His people.

Practical Application

Joshua 5:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound importance of obedience to God's voice and the dangers of unbelief. Just as the Israelites faced severe consequences for their rebellion, so too do we face spiritual repercussions for persistent disobedience. This verse encourages believers today to learn from the past, to trust God's promises wholeheartedly, and to walk in alignment with His will, so that we may fully experience the spiritual blessings and inheritance He has prepared for us. It also speaks to God's patience and His commitment to His ultimate plans, even when His people falter, always bringing about His purposes through a people ready to obey.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 14:23

    Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

  • Deuteronomy 2:14

    And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, [was] thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

  • Hebrews 3:11

    So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

  • Psalms 95:10

    Forty years long was I grieved with [this] generation, and said, It [is] a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

  • Psalms 95:11

    Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

  • Deuteronomy 1:3

    And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first [day] of the month, [that] Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;

  • Deuteronomy 2:7

    For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God [hath been] with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.
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