Numbers 14:19

KJV

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pardon {H5545}, I beseech thee, the iniquity {H5771} of this people {H5971} according unto the greatness {H1433} of thy mercy {H2617}, and as thou hast forgiven {H5375} this people {H5971}, from Egypt {H4714} even until now {H2008}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Please! Forgive the offense of this people according to the greatness of your grace, just as you have borne with this people from Egypt until now."

Berean Standard Bible

Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”

American Standard Version

Pardon, I pray thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy lovingkindness, and according as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:19 records Moses' fervent intercessory prayer for the rebellious Israelites, appealing not to their merit but to the boundless character of God. Following the nation's profound unbelief and desire to return to Egypt after the disheartening report of ten spies, God threatened to disinherit them. In this pivotal moment, Moses stands in the gap, pleading for pardon based on the "greatness of thy mercy" and God's consistent faithfulness in forgiving His people "from Egypt even until now," thereby upholding His divine reputation among the nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of Moses' powerful intercessory prayer found in [Numbers 14:13-19](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-19 - Moses' Intercession"). It immediately follows the Israelites' catastrophic failure of faith and outright rebellion. After hearing the negative report from ten of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, the people despaired, wept, and openly grumbled against the Lord and Moses and Aaron, even proposing to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). This act of profound distrust and rejection of God's promise provoked the Lord's righteous anger, leading Him to threaten to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, making a greater nation from Moses ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Judgment on Israel")). Moses' prayer is a direct response to this divine judgment, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the covenant people despite their egregious sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were a newly formed nation, having recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt and receiving the Law at Mount Sinai. They were in the wilderness, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. Their journey was marked by repeated instances of grumbling, testing God, and longing for the perceived security of Egypt, despite God's miraculous provision and presence. In the ancient Near East, the reputation of a deity was paramount, often linked to the success and power of their people. Moses' appeal to God's reputation among the nations ([Numbers 14:13-16](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-16 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation")) was a culturally resonant argument, emphasizing that destroying Israel would diminish the Lord's glory in the eyes of surrounding peoples who had witnessed His mighty acts in Egypt and at the Red Sea. The concept of a mediator or intercessor was also well-understood, with individuals (like priests or prophets) acting on behalf of a community before their deity.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully underscores several core themes. First, the **sovereignty and holiness of God** are evident in His righteous anger against sin and His power to execute judgment. Second, the **persistent rebellion and unbelief of humanity** are starkly portrayed through the Israelites' repeated grumbling and their rejection of God's promise, despite overwhelming evidence of His faithfulness. This highlights the dangers of a hardened heart, as seen in [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - The Danger of Unbelief"). Third, the **indispensable role of intercession** is championed by Moses' selfless and bold prayer, positioning himself between God's wrath and the people's sin. Finally, and most profoundly, the **boundless mercy and faithfulness of God** are revealed as the ultimate basis for pardon. Moses' appeal to "the greatness of thy mercy" and God's past forgiveness "from Egypt even until now" emphasizes that divine pardon is rooted in God's unchanging character and covenant loyalty, not in human merit or performance, echoing themes found in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Self-Revelation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pardon (Hebrew, _salach'_):** The verb סָלַח (*salach*) specifically means "to forgive," "to pardon," or "to remit punishment." It is almost exclusively used in the Old Testament to describe God's act of forgiving sin, never human forgiveness of another. This emphasizes that forgiveness for sin against God is a divine prerogative and a unilateral act of grace. Moses is not asking God to overlook their sin, but to actively remit the deserved punishment, an act only God can perform.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chesed'_):** The Hebrew word חֶסֶד (*chesed*) is a rich and multifaceted term, often translated as "mercy," "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It denotes a loyal, unwavering love that is active in fulfilling obligations within a relationship, especially a covenantal one. When Moses appeals to the "greatness of thy mercy," he is invoking God's inherent character of loyal love and faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when Israel has been profoundly unfaithful. It's a love that goes beyond mere pity, actively seeking the well-being and restoration of the beloved party.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people":** Moses' opening plea is direct and urgent. "Pardon" (סְלַח, *selach*) is an imperative, a humble yet bold request for God to forgive. "I beseech thee" (נָא, *na*) adds a tone of earnest entreaty. The "iniquity" (עָוֹן, *avon*) refers to the people's guilt, perversity, and the moral distortion of their actions, specifically their rebellion and unbelief. Moses is not minimizing their sin but acknowledging its gravity while pleading for divine intervention to avert judgment.
* **"according unto the greatness of thy mercy":** This is the core of Moses' argument. He does not appeal to the people's repentance (which was absent) or their worthiness, but solely to the magnanimity of God's character. The "greatness" (גֹּדֶל, *godel*) emphasizes the vastness and abundance of God's mercy (*chesed*). This highlights that divine forgiveness is an act of sovereign grace, flowing from God's intrinsic nature, not from any human merit or condition. It's a profound declaration that God's capacity for compassion far exceeds human sin.
* **"and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now":** Moses grounds his plea in God's consistent historical precedent. He reminds God of His own past actions, citing a long history of divine patience and forgiveness. "From Egypt" recalls the initial act of redemption and the numerous instances where God overlooked their grumbling and rebellion (e.g., at the Red Sea, Marah, Rephidim, Sinai). "Even until now" encompasses their most recent failures, including the golden calf incident and previous complaints in the wilderness. This appeals to God's unchanging nature and His covenant faithfulness, implying that to cease forgiving now would be inconsistent with His established character and past dealings with His people.

#### Literary Devices
Moses' prayer is a masterpiece of **Intercession**, where a mediator stands between an offended party (God) and an offending party (Israel) to plead for mercy. He employs a powerful **Rhetorical Appeal** to God's character and reputation, arguing that divine judgment on Israel would undermine God's glory among the nations ([Numbers 14:13-16](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-16 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation")). The phrase "from Egypt even until now" is an example of **Recollection** or **Historical Allusion**, serving as a reminder of God's consistent faithfulness throughout Israel's journey. This also functions as an **Argument from Character**, asserting that God's established nature as merciful and forgiving should prevail over His righteous anger, thereby providing a basis for hope for the undeserving.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:19 stands as a profound testament to the character of God, revealing His readiness to pardon even the most egregious sin when His character is appealed to. It underscores that God's mercy is not a weakness but an attribute of His greatness, flowing from His boundless love and covenant faithfulness. This passage highlights the tension between God's justice, which demands punishment for sin, and His mercy, which offers forgiveness. Moses' intercession, rooted in God's self-revelation at Sinai as "the Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" ([Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character")), demonstrates that true hope for humanity lies not in human merit but in God's inherent compassion. The persistent rebellion of Israel, met with God's persistent mercy through a mediator, foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect mediator and a greater act of divine forgiveness.

* [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession after the Golden Calf")
* [Psalm 103:8-12](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-12 - God's Compassion and Forgiveness")
* [Jonah 4:2](/jonah/4-2 "Jonah 4:2 - God's Gracious and Merciful Nature")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 14:19 offers a powerful anchor for our faith, reminding us that God's capacity for mercy is truly "great." In a world where our failures often lead to despair, this verse proclaims that pardon is available, not because we deserve it, but because God is inherently merciful. It challenges us to embrace a theology of grace, understanding that our hope for forgiveness and reconciliation with God rests solely on His character, not on our performance or repentance in a given moment. This should cultivate profound humility and gratitude within us. Furthermore, Moses' example serves as a profound call to intercessory prayer. Just as Moses stood in the gap for a rebellious people, we are called to pray fervently for others, especially those who are lost, struggling, or hardened in sin. Our prayers, like Moses', should be bold, persistent, and rooted in an appeal to God's known character and His past faithfulness, trusting that His mercy endures "from Egypt even until now," and forevermore.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' appeal to God's character, rather than the people's merit, shape your understanding of divine forgiveness?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God's mercy as "greatness" provide comfort and hope in your own life?**
* **How might Moses' example of intercessory prayer inspire you to pray more boldly and persistently for others, even those who seem undeserving?**
* **What "from Egypt even until now" moments in your own life can you recall to strengthen your faith in God's consistent faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses appeal to God's mercy and not the people's repentance?**

Answer: Moses appealed to God's mercy because the people, at this moment, were not repentant. They were grumbling, rebellious, and even planning to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). Their hearts were hardened. Moses understood that their only hope lay in God's inherent character of mercy and steadfast love (*chesed*), not in any merit or immediate change of heart from the people. This highlights that God's forgiveness is ultimately an act of His sovereign grace, not contingent on human worthiness, though it often calls for a later response of repentance.

**How does this passage reconcile God's mercy with His justice?**

Answer: This passage presents a tension between God's justice, which demands punishment for Israel's severe rebellion and unbelief (as seen in His threat in [Numbers 14:12](/numbers/14-12 "Numbers 14:12 - God's Threat to Destroy Israel")), and His mercy, which Moses appeals to. While God does pardon the immediate threat of destruction, His justice is still upheld through a different judgment: the entire generation of grumblers (those 20 years and older) is condemned to die in the wilderness, unable to enter the Promised Land ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Wilderness Generation's Judgment")). Thus, God's mercy provides a path to continued existence for the nation, but His justice ensures that sin still carries severe consequences, demonstrating that He is both just and the justifier ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifier")).

**What is the significance of "from Egypt even until now"?**

Answer: This phrase serves as a powerful historical reminder and an appeal to God's consistent character. "From Egypt" refers to the initial act of redemption from slavery, where God demonstrated His power and faithfulness. "Even until now" encompasses the entire journey through the wilderness, marked by numerous instances of Israel's grumbling, rebellion, and God's repeated acts of patience, provision, and forgiveness (e.g., the Golden Calf in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"), complaints at Taberah, Kibroth-hattaavah). Moses is essentially arguing that God's consistent pattern of mercy throughout history should continue, appealing to God's unchanging nature and His covenant faithfulness, which has been demonstrated time and again despite Israel's failures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:19, with Moses' powerful intercession for a rebellious people based on God's great mercy, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. Moses, as a mediator, stands in the gap, appealing to God's character to avert judgment. This role is perfectly fulfilled in Christ, who is the one true mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")). The "greatness of thy mercy" that Moses appeals to finds its fullest and most glorious expression in the cross, where God's boundless love and steadfast faithfulness are demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son. It is through Christ's atoning work that God can be both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifier")). Just as God forgave Israel "from Egypt even until now" through Moses' plea, so too does God offer complete pardon for all our iniquities, past, present, and future, through the shed blood of the Lamb of God ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness in Christ")). Christ is our High Priest, who "always lives to make intercession for them" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), ensuring that God's great mercy continues to flow to His people, not based on our merit, but on His perfect and eternal sacrifice.

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.