Numbers 14:30

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Doubtless ye shall not {H518} come {H935} into the land {H776}, concerning which I sware {H3027}{H5375} to make you dwell {H7931} therein, save Caleb {H3612} the son {H1121} of Jephunneh {H3312}, and Joshua {H3091} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:30 stands as a solemn 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.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 14:30 is the climactic pronouncement of judgment following a pivotal crisis in Israel's wilderness journey. The preceding chapter, [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"), details Moses sending twelve spies into Canaan. Ten of them returned with a disheartening report, emphasizing the strength of the land's inhabitants and their fortified cities, despite confirming its abundance. 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 ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). In stark contrast, Caleb and Joshua passionately urged the people to trust God and enter the land ([Numbers 14:6-9](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6-9 - Caleb and Joshua's Plea")). God's furious response to this widespread unbelief and defiance is articulated in [Numbers 14:20-25](/numbers/14-20 "Numbers 14:20-25 - God's Judgment Declared"), 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.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, recently delivered from centuries of Egyptian bondage through miraculous acts, 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. The generation in question had witnessed the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna and quails, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. They had experienced God's presence in the pillar of cloud and fire. Culturally, the concept of a "promised land" was central to their identity and future as a nation. The census taken at the beginning of Numbers (cf. [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel")) counted men "twenty years old and upward" as those fit for military service and, implicitly, as responsible adults capable of making covenantal decisions. Thus, the judgment in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Judgment on the Rebellious Generation") 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](/numbers/14-30 "Numbers 14:30 - The Exclusion from the Promised Land") 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 (cf. [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - Unbelief as the Cause of Exclusion")). 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. 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](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - Caleb's Reward for Faithfulness")), secured their entry into the land, serving as a beacon of hope amidst the general failure.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Doubtless (Hebrew, _'im-lo'_):** This phrase functions as a strong negative oath, often translated as "surely not," "unless," or "except." It conveys an absolute and irrevocable certainty regarding the divine decree. In this context, it emphasizes the utter impossibility of the rebellious generation entering the land, underscoring the finality and solemnity of God's judgment. It leaves no room for doubt or negotiation.
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shava'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be full" or "to seven oneself," this verb signifies the act of taking an oath, often by invoking a divine name or by a solemn declaration that binds the speaker. When God "swears," it highlights the absolute certainty and inviolability of His promise or decree. Here, it underscores that the land was promised by a divine oath, making the Israelites' failure to enter a direct affront to God's sworn word and covenant.
* **Land (Hebrew, _'eretz'_):** While a general term for "land" or "earth," in this specific context, it refers unequivocally to the "Promised Land" of Canaan. This land was not merely a geographical territory but the tangible expression of God's covenant faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants, a place of rest, abundance, and their national identity. Its withholding from the rebellious generation signifies a profound spiritual and covenantal consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doubtless ye shall not come into the land":** This opening clause delivers the core judgment with absolute certainty. The Hebrew phrase "Doubtless" (אִם־לֹא) functions as a powerful, emphatic negative oath, leaving no ambiguity. It declares that the entire generation, with the specified exceptions, is definitively barred from entering the Promised Land. This is a direct consequence of their collective unbelief and rebellion against God's command and promise.
* **"[concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein":** This parenthetical clause highlights the tragic irony and severity of the judgment. God reminds them that this very land was the object of His solemn oath and covenant promise to their ancestors, a land He intended for them to inhabit. Their exclusion is not due to God's unfaithfulness, but to their own failure to trust and obey, turning His promise into a judgment against them.
* **"save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun":** This final phrase explicitly names the two individuals who are exempted from the sweeping judgment. Their inclusion serves as a stark contrast to the excluded majority, emphasizing that individual faithfulness and wholehearted devotion to God are recognized and rewarded, even amidst widespread apostasy. Their unwavering trust in God's power, despite the daunting challenges, set them apart and secured their inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Exclusion/Inclusion**, where the verse sharply delineates between the vast majority of the generation who are excluded from the Promised Land and the two individuals, Caleb and Joshua, who are explicitly included. 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. 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.

* [Deuteronomy 1:35-36](/deuteronomy/1-35 "Deuteronomy 1:35-36 - Moses Recounts the Judgment")
* [Psalm 95:10-11](/psalms/95-10 "Psalm 95:10-11 - God's Oath to the Rebellious Generation")
* [Hebrews 3:16-19](/hebrews/3-16 "Hebrews 3:16-19 - The Warning Against Unbelief")

### 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, or personal struggles. The story of Caleb and Joshua stands as a beacon of hope and a model for courageous faith: they saw the same obstacles as everyone else, but they chose to see God's power as greater. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly believe God's word, or do we allow fear and the negative reports of the world 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 blessings God intends for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment in this verse challenge my own understanding of His character and His call to holiness?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting unbelief or disobedience that could hinder God's blessings or prevent me from entering into His "rest"?**
* **What specific "giants" or obstacles am I facing today, and how can I emulate Caleb and Joshua's courage and trust in God's power to overcome them?**
* **How does this narrative encourage me to stand firm in my faith, even when surrounded by doubt, fear, or opposition from others?**

### 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](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - Caleb's Reward") and [Numbers 32:12](/numbers/32-12 "Numbers 32:12 - Caleb's Faithfulness")). 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 ([Numbers 14:6-9](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6-9 - Caleb and Joshua's Plea")). Their faith was not in their own strength or the weakness of their enemies, but in the omnipotence and faithfulness of God, who had already performed countless miracles for them. This distinguished spirit and wholehearted devotion were explicitly recognized and 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. God initially threatened to strike the entire nation with a plague and disinherit them entirely ([Numbers 14:12](/numbers/14-12 "Numbers 14:12 - God's Initial Threat")). However, through Moses' fervent intercession, appealing to God's reputation and His attribute of abounding in steadfast love and forgiveness ([Numbers 14:13-19](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-19 - Moses' Intercession")), 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.

**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 ([Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). 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](/numbers/14-31 "Numbers 14:31 - The Children Will Enter")). 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.

### 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 or outward association with God's people is insufficient for inheriting His ultimate promises. The author of Hebrews draws directly from this narrative, warning believers not to fall short of God's true "rest" through a similar pattern of disobedience and unbelief ([Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") and [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest")).

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](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). 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](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")).

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 14:38

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of the men that went to search the land, lived [still].

Deuteronomy 1:36

Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.

Deuteronomy 1:38

[But] Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Genesis 14:22

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

Numbers 26:65

For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 32:12

Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.