TRV
Translation
King James Version
Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Complete Jewish Bible
will certainly not enter the land about which I raised my hand to swear that I would have you live in it - except for Kalev the son of Y'funeh and Y'hoshua the son of Nun.
Berean Standard Bible
Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
American Standard Version
surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
World English Bible Messianic
surely you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Ye shall not doubtles come into the land, for the which I lifted vp mine hande, to make you dwell therein, saue Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, and Ioshua the sonne of Nun.
Young's Literal Translation
ye--ye come not in unto the land which I have lifted up My hand to cause you to tabernacle in it, except Caleb son of Jephunneh, and Joshua son of Nun.
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Commentary on Numbers 14 verses 20–35
20 ¶ And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
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.
32 But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.
33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
We have here God's answer to the prayer of Moses, which sings both of mercy and judgment. It is given privately to Moses (Num 14:20-25), and then directed to be made public to the people, Num 14:26-35. The frequent repetitions of the same things in it speak these resolves to be unalterable. Let us see the particulars.
I. The extremity of the sentence is receded from (Num 14:20): "I have pardoned, so as not to cut them all off at once, and disinherit them." See the power of prayer, and the delight God takes in putting an honour upon it. He designed a pardon, but Moses shall have the praise of obtaining it by prayer: it shall be done according to thy word; thus, as a prince, he has power with God, and prevails. See what countenance and encouragement God gives to our intercessions for others, that we may be public-spirited in prayer. Here is a whole nation rescued from ruin by the effectual fervent prayer of one righteous man. See how ready God is to forgive sin, and how easy to be entreated: Pardon, says Moses (Num 14:19); I have pardoned, says God, Num 14:20. David found him thus swift to show mercy, Psa 32:5. He deals not with us after our sins, Psa 103:10.
II. The glorifying of God's name is, in the general, resolved upon, Num 14:21. It is said, it is sworn, All the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Moses in his prayer had shown a great concern for the glory of God. "Let me alone," says God, "to secure that effectually, and to advance it, by this dispensation." All the world shall see how God hates sin even in his own people, and will reckon for it, and yet how gracious and merciful he is, and how slow to anger. Thus when our Saviour prayed, Father, glorify thy name, he was immediately answered, I have glorified it, and will glorify it yet again, Joh 12:28. Note, Those that sincerely seek God's glory may be sure of what they seek. God having turned this prayer for the glorifying of himself into a promise, we may turn it into praise, in concert with the angels, Isa 6:3, The earth is full of his glory.
III. The sin of this people which provoked God to proceed against them is here aggravated, Num 14:22, Num 14:27. It is not made worse than really it was, but is shown to be exceedingly sinful. It was an evil congregation, each bad, but altogether in congregation, very bad. 1. They tempted God - tempted his power, whether he could help them in their straits - his goodness, whether he would - and his faithfulness, whether his promise would be performed. They tempted his justice, whether he would resent their provocations and punish them or no. They dared him, and in effect challenged him, as God does the idols (Isa 41:23), to do good, or do evil. 2. They murmured against him. This is much insisted on, Num 14:27. As they questioned what he would do, so they quarrelled with him for every thing he did or had done, continually fretting and finding fault. It does not appear that they murmured at any of the laws or ordinances that God gave them (though they proved a heavy yoke), but they murmured at the conduct they were under, and the provision made for them. Note, It is much easier to bring ourselves to the external services of religion, and observe all the formalities of devotion, than to live a life of dependence upon, and submission to, the divine Providence in the course of our conversation. 3. They did this after they had seen God's miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness, Num 14:2. They would not believe their own eyes, which were witnesses for God that he was in the midst of them of a truth. 4. They had repeated the provocations ten times, that is, very often: the Jewish writers reckon this exactly the tenth time that the body of the congregation had provoked God. First, at the Red Sea, Exo 14:11. In Marah, Exo 15:23, Exo 15:24. In the wilderness of Sin, Exo 16:2. At Rephidim, Exo 17:1, Exo 17:2. The golden calf, Ex. 32. Then at Taberah. Then at Kibroth-Hattaavah, ch. 11. And so this was the tenth. Note, God keeps an account how often we repeat our provocations, and will sooner or later set them in order before us. 5. They had not hearkened to his voice, though he had again and again admonished them of their sin.
IV. The sentence passed upon them for this sin. 1. That they should not see the promised land (Num 14:23), nor come into it, Num 14:30. He swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest, Psa 95:11. Note, Disbelief of the promise is a forfeiture of the benefit of it. Those that despise the pleasant land shall be shut out of it. The promise of God should be fulfilled to their posterity, but not to them. 2. That they should immediately turn back into the wilderness, Num 14:25. Their next remove should be a retreat. They must face about, and instead of going forward to Canaan, on the very borders of which they now were, they must withdraw towards the Red Sea again. Tomorrow turn you; that is, "Very shortly you shall be brought back to that vast howling wilderness which you are so weary of. And it is time to shift for your own safety, for the Amalekites lie in wait in the valley, ready to attack you if you march forward." Of them they had been distrustfully afraid (Num 13:29), and now with them God justly frightened them. The fear of the wicked shall come upon him. 3. That all those who had now grown up to men's estate should die in the wilderness, not all at once, but by degrees. They wished that they might die in the wilderness, and God said Amen to their passionate wish, and made their sin their ruin, snared them in the words of their mouth, and caused their own tongue to fall upon them, took them at their word, and determined that their carcases should fall in the wilderness, Num 14:28, Num 14:29, and again, Num 14:32, Num 14:35. See with what contempt they are spoken of, now that they had by their sin made themselves vile; the mighty men of valour were but carcases, when the Spirit of the Lord had departed from them. They were all as dead men. Their fathers had such a value for Canaan that they desired to have their dead bodies carried thither to be buried, in token of their dependence upon God's promise that they should have that land for a possession: but these, having despised that good land and disbelieved the promise of it, shall not have the honour to be buried in it, but shall have their graves in the wilderness. 4. That in pursuance of this sentence they should wander to and fro in the wilderness, like travellers that have lost themselves, for forty years; that is, so long as to make it full forty years from their coming out of Egypt to their entrance into Canaan, Num 14:33, Num 14:34. Thus long they were kept wandering, (1.) To answer the number of the days in which the spies were searching the land. They were content to wait forty days for the testimony of men, because they could not take God's word; and therefore justly are they kept forty years waiting for the performance of God's promise. (2.) That hereby they might be brought to repentance, and find mercy with God in the other world, whatever became of them in this. Now they had time to bethink themselves, and to consider their ways; and the inconveniences of the wilderness would help to humble them and prove them, and show them what was in their heart, Deu 8:2. Thus long they bore their iniquities, feeling the weight of God's wrath in the punishment. They were made to groan under the burden of their own sin that brought it upon them, which was too heavy for them to bear. (3.) That they might sensibly feel what a dangerous thing it is for God's covenant-people to break with him: "You shall know my breach of promise, both the causes of it, that it is procured by your sin" (for God never leaves any till they first leave him), "and the consequences of it, that it will produce your ruin; you are quite undone when you are thrown out of covenant." (4.) That a new generation might in this time be raised up, which could not be done all of a sudden. And the children, being brought up under the tokens of God's displeasure against their fathers, and so bearing their whoredoms (that is, the punishment of their sins, especially their idolatry about the golden calf, which God now remembered against them), might take warning not to tread in the steps of their fathers' disobedience. And their wandering so long in the wilderness would make Canaan at last the more welcome to them. It should seem that upon occasion of this sentence Moses penned the ninetieth Psalm, which is very apposite to the present state of Israel, and wherein they are taught to pray that since this sentence could not be reversed it might be sanctified, and they might learn to apply their hearts unto wisdom.
V. The mercy that was mixed with this severe sentence.
1.Mercy to Caleb and Joshua, that though they should wander with the rest in the wilderness, yet they, and only they of all that were now above twenty years old, should survive the years of banishment, and live to enter Canaan. Caleb only is spoken of (Num 14:24), and a particular mark of honour put upon him, both, (1.) In the character given of him: he had another spirit, different from the rest of the spies, an after-spirit, which furnished him with second thoughts, and he followed the Lord fully, kept close to his duty, and went through with it, though deserted and threatened; and, (2.) In the recompence promised to him: Him will I bring in due time into the land whereinto he went. Note, [1.] It ought to be the great care and endeavour of every one of us to follow the Lord fully. We must, in a course of obedience to God's will and of service to his honour, follow him universally, without dividing, - uprightly, without dissembling, - cheerfully, without disputing, - and constantly, without declining; and this is following him fully. [2.] Those that would follow God fully must have another spirit, another from the spirit of the world, and another from what their own spirit has been. They must have the spirit of Caleb. [3.] Those that follow God fully in times of general apostasy God will own and honour by singular preservations in times of general calamity. The heavenly Canaan shall be the everlasting inheritance of those that follow the Lord fully. When Caleb is again mentioned (Num 14:30) Joshua stands with him, compassed with the same favours and crowned with the same honours, having stood with him in the same services.
2.Mercy to the children even of these rebels. They should have a seed preserved, and Canaan secured to that seed: Your little ones, now under twenty years old, which you, in your unbelief, said should be a prey, them will I bring in, Num 14:31. They had invidiously charged God with a design to ruin their children, Num 14:3. But God will let them know that he can put a difference between the guilty and the innocent, and cut them off without touching their children. Thus the promise made to Abraham, though it seemed to fail for a time, was kept from failing for evermore; and, though God chastened their transgressions with a rod, yet his loving kindness he would not utterly take away.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–35. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 14:30 stands as a solemn and definitive declaration of God's unyielding judgment against the generation of Israelites who, in a profound act of unbelief and rebellion, refused to enter the Promised Land after hearing the fearful report of the ten spies. This verse unequivocally states that none of the adults, specifically those counted in the census who were twenty years old and upward, would inherit the land God had sworn to give them. The only exceptions to this sweeping decree were Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun, whose unwavering faith and steadfast obedience distinguished them from their peers and secured their inheritance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Numbers 14:30 functions as the climactic and conclusive pronouncement of judgment following a pivotal crisis in Israel's wilderness journey. The preceding chapter, Numbers 13, details Moses sending twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land. Ten of them returned with a disheartening report, emphasizing the strength of the land's inhabitants and their fortified cities, despite confirming its abundance and fertility. This negative report ignited a fervent rebellion among the congregation, who wept, grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and even proposed choosing a new leader to return to Egypt, rejecting God's direct command to advance (Numbers 14:1-4). In stark contrast, Caleb and Joshua passionately urged the people to trust God and enter the land, tearing their clothes in distress over the people's unbelief (Numbers 14:6-9). God's furious response to this widespread unbelief and defiance is articulated in Numbers 14:20-25, where He declares that this generation will wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each day the spies explored the land, until all who disbelieved perish. Verse 30 serves as the definitive, concise summary of this divine decree, explicitly naming the only two individuals who would be spared from this fate.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Israelites, recently delivered from centuries of Egyptian bondage through miraculous acts of divine power, stood at the threshold of the land promised to their patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was the culmination of God's covenant faithfulness, a land flowing with milk and honey, intended as their permanent inheritance and the place where they would fully realize their identity as God's chosen nation. The generation in question had witnessed the plagues in Egypt, the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the consistent provision of manna and quails, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. They had experienced God's tangible presence in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Culturally, the concept of a "promised land" was central to their national identity and future. The census taken at the beginning of Numbers (Numbers 1) counted men "twenty years old and upward" as those fit for military service and, implicitly, as responsible adults capable of making covenantal decisions and participating in the nation's destiny. Thus, the judgment in Numbers 14:29 specifically targets this demographic, holding them accountable for their collective failure of faith and their rejection of God's clear command to possess the land.
Key Themes: The primary theme underscored by Numbers 14:30 is the severe consequences of unbelief and disobedience. The Israelites' fear and rebellion, despite overwhelming evidence of God's power and faithfulness, directly led to their exclusion from the land God had sworn to them. This serves as a potent warning against rejecting divine promises, a lesson powerfully reiterated in the New Testament (Hebrews 3:19). Conversely, the verse also highlights God's unwavering justice and faithfulness. While His judgment is stern, it is righteous; He remains faithful to His covenant, ensuring the land promise will still be fulfilled, albeit through the next generation. This demonstrates that God's plans will not be thwarted by human failure. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the reward for faithfulness. Caleb and Joshua stand as exemplary figures, demonstrating courage and unwavering trust in God's power even when faced with overwhelming opposition and widespread fear. Their steadfast devotion, explicitly recognized and rewarded by God (Numbers 14:24), secured their entry into the land, serving as a beacon of hope amidst the general failure and a testament to the fact that God honors those who honor Him.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 14:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore the gravity of the situation. The most prominent is Exclusion/Inclusion, where the verse sharply delineates between the vast majority of the generation who are barred from the Promised Land and the two individuals, Caleb and Joshua, who are explicitly permitted to enter. This creates a dramatic Contrast between widespread unbelief and exemplary faith, highlighting the individual responsibility and consequences of spiritual choices. The phrase "Doubtless ye shall not come" functions as a divine Decree or Oath, emphasizing God's absolute authority and the irrevocable nature of His judgment. This solemn pronouncement underscores the gravity of their rebellion and the finality of their fate. Furthermore, the verse serves as a form of Foreshadowing, hinting at the forty years of wilderness wandering that will follow, a period necessary for the rebellious generation to perish and for a new, obedient generation to arise, ultimately led by Joshua into the land.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:30 is a foundational text for understanding the profound biblical themes of divine judgment, covenant faithfulness, and the critical importance of faith and obedience. It reveals God as both sovereign and just, upholding His covenant promises while simultaneously holding His people accountable for their actions. The Israelites' failure to enter the land, despite God's sworn promise, underscores that divine blessings are contingent upon a responsive faith, not merely a passive inheritance. This narrative serves as a stark warning throughout scripture, demonstrating that rebellion and unbelief can lead to profound spiritual consequences, preventing individuals from experiencing the fullness of God's intended blessings. Yet, it also beautifully illustrates God's grace and faithfulness in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His ultimate purposes through those who remain steadfast, ensuring His overarching plan for His people is not ultimately thwarted by human sin.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The judgment declared in Numbers 14:30 echoes through the ages, offering profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God is infinitely merciful, He is also perfectly just, and there are tangible consequences for persistent unbelief and disobedience. Just as the Israelites were called to trust God's power to overcome the giants in the Promised Land, we are called to trust His promises in the face of our own "giants" – whether they be fear, doubt, worldly pressures, personal struggles, or societal opposition. The story of Caleb and Joshua stands as a beacon of hope and a model for courageous faith: they saw the same formidable obstacles as everyone else, but they chose to see God's power as infinitely greater. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly believe God's word and promises, or do we allow fear, the negative reports of the world, or the perceived impossibility of our circumstances to dictate our spiritual trajectory? Our spiritual journey, like Israel's, is fraught with opportunities to trust or to doubt. May we choose the path of wholehearted devotion, ensuring we do not miss out on the spiritual "rest" and abundant blessings God intends for us through a living, active faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were only Caleb and Joshua spared from the judgment?
Answer: Caleb and Joshua were spared because they demonstrated unwavering faith and "wholly followed the Lord" (Numbers 14:24 and Numbers 32:12). While the other ten spies and the entire congregation allowed fear to dictate their response to the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, Caleb and Joshua urged the people to trust God's power to deliver the land into their hands, tearing their clothes in distress over the people's lack of faith (Numbers 14:6-9). Their faith was not in their own strength or the perceived weakness of their enemies, but in the omnipotence and absolute faithfulness of God, who had already performed countless miracles for them. This distinguished spirit and wholehearted devotion were explicitly recognized and profoundly rewarded by God.
Does this judgment mean God is not merciful?
Answer: While the judgment was severe and seemingly absolute, it is important to understand it within the broader context of God's character, which encompasses both justice and mercy. Initially, God threatened to strike the entire nation with a plague and disinherit them entirely, starting a new nation from Moses (Numbers 14:12). However, through Moses' fervent intercession, appealing to God's reputation and His attribute of abounding in steadfast love and forgiveness (Numbers 14:13-19), God relented from utter destruction. Instead, He decreed the forty-year wilderness wandering, allowing the rebellious generation to perish naturally, while preserving the nation through their children. This demonstrates that even in judgment, God's mercy is evident, as He did not completely abandon His covenant people but preserved a future for them.
What happened to the children and those under twenty years old?
Answer: The judgment of exclusion from the Promised Land specifically applied to those "twenty years old and upward" who had been counted in the census and were held responsible for the rebellion (Numbers 14:29). The children, who were not held accountable for the rebellion of their parents, were explicitly promised that they would enter the land and inherit it (Numbers 14:31). This highlights God's justice in holding individuals accountable for their own actions and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, which would ultimately be fulfilled through the next generation, a generation that would learn from the failures of their parents and, under Joshua's leadership, finally possess the land.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:30, with its stark declaration of exclusion from the Promised Land due to unbelief, powerfully foreshadows the greater spiritual rest offered in Christ. The wilderness generation's failure to enter Canaan serves as a profound biblical type, illustrating that a mere physical journey, outward religious observance, or association with God's people is insufficient for inheriting His ultimate promises. The author of Hebrews draws directly from this narrative, warning New Testament believers not to fall short of God's true "rest" through a similar pattern of disobedience and unbelief, emphasizing the danger of hardening one's heart against the divine voice (Hebrews 3:7-19 and Hebrews 4:1-11).
In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of the "Promised Land." He is the greater Joshua, the one who truly leads His people into God's rest, not merely a geographical territory, but a spiritual reality of salvation, peace, and eternal communion with God. While the old covenant generation failed due to their lack of faith in God's power to deliver, Jesus, through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, has opened the way for all who believe to enter into this glorious rest. His life perfectly contrasts Israel's rebellion; where they doubted and disobeyed, He trusted and obeyed, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Thus, Caleb and Joshua, who entered the earthly land by faith, become types of all who enter the heavenly and spiritual "land" of God's presence and promises through faith in the finished work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Our inheritance is secured not by our own works or merit, but by the perfect faithfulness of Jesus Christ, our true and eternal High Priest and Leader (Hebrews 4:14). He is the guarantor of a better covenant, inviting us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace (Hebrews 7:22 and Hebrews 4:16).