Joshua 5:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Joshua 5:6 offers a profound retrospective, meticulously detailing the divine rationale for Israel's forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. It serves as a critical theological and historical bridge, connecting the rebellious generation of the Exodus, whose disobedience led to their demise, with the new, obedient generation now poised to inherit the Promised Land. This verse underscores God's unwavering justice in fulfilling His oath of judgment against unbelief, even as it simultaneously affirms His steadfast faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, regarding the land of abundance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Israel's preparations for conquering Canaan. Immediately preceding it, the account details the second generation of Israel being circumcised at Gilgal ([Joshua 5:2-9](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - The Circumcision at Gilgal")), an act symbolizing their renewed covenant commitment and the removal of the "reproach of Egypt." Following this, the Israelites celebrate the Passover ([Joshua 5:10-12](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10-12 - Passover at Gilgal and Cessation of Manna")), signifying their readiness to partake of the land's produce. Joshua 5:6 functions as an explanatory interlude, looking back to the wilderness period to clarify *why* the previous generation perished and *why* the current generation is now entering the land. It provides the theological underpinning for the events at Gilgal, connecting the present reality of a new, circumcised generation with the past judgment on their fathers, thereby validating God's righteous dealings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this verse is the forty-year wilderness wandering, a period of divine judgment and purification for the Israelites. Specifically, it references the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, detailed in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13-14 - The Spies and Israel's Rebellion"), where the generation that left Egypt, particularly the "men of war" (those twenty years and older), refused to trust God and enter the Promised Land due to fear of its inhabitants. God's response was a solemn oath that none of that rebellious generation, save Caleb and Joshua, would enter the land. The "land that floweth with milk and honey" is a recurring descriptor in the Pentateuch, a vivid cultural idiom signifying extraordinary fertility, abundance, and divine blessing—a stark contrast to the barren wilderness. This phrase would have evoked deep longing and anticipation among the Israelites, representing the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to their patriarchs, particularly to [Abraham in Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham").
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 5:6 powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and the Consequences of Disobedience**. The verse explicitly states that the "men of war... were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD," highlighting the severe and direct penalty for rebellion against God's commands and unbelief. This serves as a stark warning and a foundational principle of God's covenant relationship with His people. Simultaneously, it underscores **God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**. Despite the rebellion of one generation, God's oath to their fathers to give them the land remained steadfast. He fulfilled His promise, albeit through a new generation, demonstrating that His ultimate plans are sure, even when human sin intervenes. The forty years, therefore, also represent a period of **Divine Purification and Generational Transition**, allowing the old, rebellious spirit to pass away and a new, trusting, and obedient generation to emerge, prepared to receive and possess the inheritance God had prepared for them, as seen in the broader narrative of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell and Law for the New Generation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _tamam_):** This verb signifies "to be finished," "to be completed," or "to come to an end." In this context, it emphasizes the absolute and definitive nature of the judgment: the entire generation of adult males who rebelled had perished. It highlights the thoroughness of God's judgment and the finality of their exclusion from the Promised Land, leaving no ambiguity about their fate.
* **Obeyed not the voice (Hebrew, _lo sham'u b'qol_):** This phrase literally translates to "they did not hear in the voice," indicating a profound failure to listen and respond obediently to God's commands. It points to a deep-seated spiritual rebellion and unbelief, rather than mere ignorance. This disobedience, particularly at Kadesh-Barnea, was not a single act but a persistent refusal to trust God's word and power, leading to the severe consequence outlined in the verse.
* **Swear (Hebrew, _nishba'_):** This verb denotes the act of taking a solemn oath, often invoking divine witness or judgment. When God "swore," it signifies the absolute certainty and irrevocability of His declaration. Here, God's oath of judgment against the rebellious generation is presented with the same solemnity and certainty as His earlier oath to their fathers regarding the land, underscoring the unwavering nature of His word, whether in judgment or promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness":** This clause establishes the duration and setting of the judgment. The "forty years" is a divinely appointed period, often symbolic in biblical literature of a generation or a time of testing and purification. It signifies the complete passing of one era and the preparation for a new one, emphasizing the long-term consequence of their initial rebellion.
* **"till all the people [that were] men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed":** This specifies the target and outcome of the judgment. "Men of war" refers to those capable of military service (typically 20 years and older), who were held responsible for the rebellion. Their "consumption" (perishing) in the wilderness was the direct fulfillment of God's decree, ensuring that only a new, unblemished generation would enter the land.
* **"because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD":** This provides the explicit reason for the judgment. The core issue was not merely a mistake but a deliberate and persistent refusal to listen to and act upon God's commands, particularly their lack of faith in His ability to deliver the land, as demonstrated at Kadesh-Barnea. This highlights the centrality of obedience and faith in God's covenant relationship.
* **"unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land":** This details the specific nature of God's judgment: an irrevocable oath that the rebellious generation would be denied entry into the Promised Land. This emphasizes the solemnity and certainty of divine judgment, once pronounced, against persistent unbelief and disobedience.
* **"which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey":** This final clause provides a crucial contrast and affirmation. It reiterates God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) regarding the land. The description "a land that floweth with milk and honey" serves as a vivid reminder of the land's promised abundance and blessing, underscoring that while judgment fell on one generation, God's ultimate promise of inheritance would still be fulfilled through another.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 5:6 employs several impactful literary devices. The most prominent is **Retrospection**, as the verse pauses the immediate narrative of the conquest preparations to look back and explain the past forty years of wilderness wandering. This provides crucial **Explanatory Detail**, clarifying the divine logic behind the generational transition. The phrase "men of war" uses **Synecdoche**, where a part (those fit for battle) represents the whole (the entire adult generation responsible for the rebellion). The recurring phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" is a powerful **Idiom** and **Motif**, consistently used throughout the Pentateuch to symbolize fertility, abundance, and God's generous provision, serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the covenant promise. The verse also exhibits **Contrast**, juxtaposing the judgment upon the disobedient generation with God's steadfast faithfulness to His promises made to the fathers, highlighting both God's justice and His enduring covenant love.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 5:6 stands as a powerful testament to the twin pillars of God's character: His unwavering justice in the face of human rebellion and His steadfast faithfulness to His covenant promises. The judgment on the wilderness generation serves as a perpetual warning against unbelief and disobedience, demonstrating that God takes sin seriously and that there are real, often generational, consequences for defying His voice. Yet, even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose of bringing His people into their inheritance is not thwarted. He raises up a new generation, purified by the wilderness experience, to fulfill His ancient oath. This tension between judgment and promise, human failure and divine perseverance, is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, reminding us that while God's methods may involve periods of discipline, His ultimate redemptive plan will always prevail.

* [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-30 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")
* [Deuteronomy 1:34-36](/deuteronomy/1-34 "Deuteronomy 1:34-36 - Moses Recounts the Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea")
* [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - The Warning Against Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 5:6 is far more than a historical footnote; it is a profound spiritual lesson for every generation. It compels us to examine the state of our own hearts, asking whether we are truly listening to and obeying "the voice of the LORD" or if we are, like the wilderness generation, allowing fear, doubt, or self-will to lead us into disobedience. The consequence of their unbelief was exclusion from the physical Promised Land, a stark reminder that spiritual inheritance and blessing are intrinsically linked to faith and obedience. This verse calls us to learn from their mistakes, to cultivate a spirit of trust and submission, and to press forward in faith toward the "land" of spiritual promises God has for us. It also reassures us of God's faithfulness: even when His people fail, His ultimate purposes will not. He is patient, working through time and circumstance to bring about His perfect will, always seeking to raise up a people ready to walk in His ways and receive His blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "disobeying the voice of the LORD" due to fear or unbelief, similar to the wilderness generation?**
* **How does understanding God's justice and faithfulness in Joshua 5:6 impact my trust in His character today?**
* **What "wilderness" experiences in my life might God be using to purify me and prepare me for a new season of blessing or inheritance?**

### FAQ

**Why did God make them walk for forty years?**

Answer: The forty-year wilderness wandering was a period of divine judgment and purification for the generation that rebelled against God at Kadesh-Barnea, refusing to enter the Promised Land out of fear and unbelief ([Numbers 14:33-35](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33-35 - The Forty-Year Punishment")). It was a consequence of their disobedience, ensuring that all the "men of war" who came out of Egypt (except Joshua and Caleb) would perish, allowing a new, more obedient generation to inherit the land. This period also served as a time for God to teach and refine the new generation, preparing them for the challenges of conquest and life in the Promised Land, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 8:2-5](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-5 - Remembering the Wilderness Journey").

**What does "a land that floweth with milk and honey" mean?**

Answer: This is a recurring biblical idiom, first found in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"), used to describe the extraordinary fertility, abundance, and prosperity of the Promised Land. "Milk" signifies the richness of livestock and dairy products, while "honey" (likely date syrup or wild honey) represents the sweetness and bounty of agricultural produce. Together, they paint a picture of a land of lush pastures, fruitful trees, and overall natural wealth, symbolizing God's generous provision and blessing for His people. It was the antithesis of the barren wilderness they had just endured.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 5:6, while detailing a historical judgment, profoundly foreshadows spiritual realities fulfilled in Christ. The wilderness generation's failure to enter the physical Promised Land due to unbelief serves as a powerful type for the spiritual "rest" that believers are called to enter through faith in Jesus. The author of [Hebrews explicitly draws this parallel, warning against falling short of God's rest through unbelief, just as the Israelites did](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - The Warning Against Hardening Hearts"). Jesus is the true "land that floweth with milk and honey," offering an abundant life and spiritual inheritance that far surpasses any earthly territory. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises, not merely to Abraham's physical descendants, but to all who believe. Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, Christ has opened the way for us to enter into God's presence and experience the fullness of His blessings, a rest that the law and the physical land could never fully provide ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). The judgment on the disobedient generation highlights the seriousness of rejecting God's provision, while the entry of the new generation into Canaan points to the new covenant reality where, by faith in Christ, we inherit eternal life and all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

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

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.