Numbers 14:32
But [as for] you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.
But you, your carcasses will fall in this desert;
As for you, however, your bodies will fall in this wilderness.
But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.
Cross-References
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1 Corinthians 10:5
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. -
Numbers 14:29
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, -
Hebrews 3:17
But with whom was he grieved forty years? [was it] not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
Commentary
Numbers 14:32 delivers a severe divine judgment upon the generation of Israelites who rebelled against God in the wilderness. This verse is a direct pronouncement from God, declaring that those who demonstrated a lack of faith and desired to return to Egypt would not enter the Promised Land, but instead, their bodies would perish in the wilderness.
Context
This verse is part of God's judgment following a pivotal moment in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. After reaching Kadesh-Barnea, Moses sent twelve spies to scout the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1-2). Ten of these spies returned with a disheartening report, exaggerating the strength of the inhabitants and spreading fear among the people, leading them to question God's power and plan (Numbers 13:31-33). Despite the encouraging words of Caleb and Joshua, who urged faith in God's ability to deliver the land (Numbers 14:6-9), the people rebelled, weeping and desiring to appoint a new leader to take them back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). God's wrath was kindled, and He pronounced a forty-year wandering in the wilderness, during which the entire rebellious generation would perish, except for Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:33-34).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The word "carcases" in Hebrew is Χ€ΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧ¨ (peger), which specifically refers to a dead body, often one that is unburied or left to rot. Its use here emphasizes the ignominious and final end of the rebellious generation, highlighting the stark reality of their judgment. The wilderness, typically a place of testing and reliance on God, became for them a place of death, signifying the ultimate failure of their faith.
Related Scriptures
This pronouncement in Numbers 14:32 is a foundational narrative for understanding the importance of faith and obedience throughout the Bible. It is frequently referenced in later scriptures as a warning. For instance, the author of Hebrews uses this historical event to caution believers against a similar "evil heart of unbelief" that can lead to falling short of God's rest (Hebrews 3:17-19 and Hebrews 4:11). The forty-year period of wandering is also detailed in Numbers 14:33 and Deuteronomy 2:14-16.
Practical Application
Numbers 14:32 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It underscores the critical importance of faith and obedience in our walk with God. When faced with challenges or daunting circumstances, like the giants the spies reported, we are called to trust in God's power and faithfulness, rather than succumbing to fear and doubt. This verse reminds us that grumbling, rebellion, and a desire to retreat from God's path have serious consequences. It encourages perseverance in faith, even when the journey is difficult, and to always remember that God's promises are for those who walk in His ways, trusting in His provision and leadership.
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