Numbers 14:41

KJV

And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} said {H559}, Wherefore now do ye transgress {H5674} the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068}? but it shall not prosper {H6743}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe answered, "Why are you opposing what ADONAI said? You won't succeed!

Berean Standard Bible

But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed!

American Standard Version

And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of Jehovah, seeing it shall not prosper?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:41 captures Moses' poignant and stern rebuke to the Israelites, who, in a presumptuous act of defiance, attempted to invade the Promised Land after God had explicitly forbidden it and pronounced a severe judgment upon their rebellious generation. This pivotal verse powerfully highlights the futility and inherent failure of human endeavors undertaken outside of divine command and without God's empowering presence, serving as a stark and enduring warning that self-willed actions, even those seemingly aimed at rectifying past mistakes, are destined to fail if they contradict God's revealed will and disregard His sovereign authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 14:41 is situated at a profound and tragic turning point in the wilderness narrative, immediately following the LORD's devastating judgment pronounced upon the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-barnea. The preceding chapters detail the sending of twelve spies into Canaan in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"), ten of whom returned with a fearful report that instilled despair and rebellion in the hearts of the people, leading them to weep, complain, and even plot to appoint a new leader to [return to Egypt](/numbers/14-4 "Numbers 14:4 - Israel's Desire to Return to Egypt"). This profound act of unbelief and rejection of God's promise prompted God's solemn decree in [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29-35 "Numbers 14:29-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation") that all those twenty years and older, save Joshua and Caleb, would perish in the wilderness and never enter the promised land. Upon hearing this severe judgment, some of the people experienced a superficial "repentance" and, against God's explicit command in [Numbers 14:25](/numbers/14-25 "Numbers 14:25 - God Commands Israel to Turn Back"), decided to presumptuously ascend into the hill country to conquer the land. Moses' words in verse 41 are a direct and urgent confrontation of this new, equally rebellious act, underscoring its futility.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate setting is Kadesh-barnea, a crucial oasis on the southern frontier of Canaan, serving as the very threshold of the Promised Land. For ancient Israel, the journey through the wilderness was far more than a mere geographical trek; it was a covenant pilgrimage, where divine presence, guidance, and miraculous provision were absolutely paramount for their survival, identity, and success. In the ancient Near East, military campaigns were almost universally preceded by extensive divine consultation, and success was invariably attributed to the favor and active participation of a deity. The Israelites' attempt to invade without God's command—and, indeed, in direct opposition to His explicit instruction—was not only a catastrophic military blunder but a profound spiritual transgression. Their actions demonstrated a complete and arrogant disregard for the covenant relationship, where unwavering obedience to Yahweh, their divine Warrior and Guide, was the sole and indispensable basis for their prosperity, security, and ultimate possession of the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several recurring and crucial themes woven throughout the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It prominently highlights the pervasive theme of **disobedience and transgression**, revealing a people consistently testing God's patience and defying His clear instructions—first by refusing to enter the land, and then by presumptuously attempting to enter when explicitly forbidden. It profoundly underscores the **futility of self-willed action** when undertaken apart from or in direct opposition to God's divine will; Moses' declaration "it shall not prosper" is a definitive divine pronouncement that any human effort lacking God's blessing and presence is inherently doomed to failure. Furthermore, the verse serves as a grim and potent reminder of the **consequences of persistent unbelief and rebellion**, demonstrating how one act of sin can tragically lead to another, sealing a people's fate and bringing about inevitable judgment, as further detailed in the subsequent defeat described in [Numbers 14:45](/numbers/14-45 "Numbers 14:45 - Israel's Defeat by the Amalekites and Canaanites").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** H4872. From מָשָׁה (mashah), meaning "drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued." This name, indicative of his miraculous rescue from the Nile, identifies the Israelite lawgiver and prophet. In this verse, his role as God's appointed messenger is crucial; he is not speaking his own words but conveying the divine will and judgment to a rebellious people. His authority derives directly from the LORD, making his rebuke a divine indictment.
* **Transgress (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** H5674. A primitive root meaning "to cross over," "to pass over," or "to go beyond." While often used literally for movement, in this context, it carries the strong connotation of violating a boundary, overstepping limits, or breaking a command. Moses is not merely accusing them of a mistake, but of a deliberate and willful act of crossing a divine line that God had clearly drawn. It implies a defiant disregard for God's authority and a presumption that they could act independently of His will, moving beyond the bounds of His explicit instructions.
* **Prosper (Hebrew, _tsâlach'_):** H6743. A primitive root meaning "to push forward," "to succeed," "to be profitable," "to advance," or "to be effective." When Moses declares "but it shall not prosper" (לֹא תִצְלָח - _lo' titslach_), it is an emphatic statement of absolute futility and certain failure. This is not a mere prediction but a divine pronouncement that their presumptuous endeavor is inherently flawed and destined for failure because it lacks God's favor, presence, and blessing. True and lasting success, in the biblical worldview, is inextricably linked to divine blessing and alignment with God's sovereign purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD?":** This opening clause presents Moses, acting as God's prophet and spokesman, confronting the people with a powerful rhetorical question. The phrase "Wherefore now" expresses profound dismay and highlights the immediate, current, and utterly illogical nature of their transgression, building upon their previous rebellion and the fresh judgment. The "commandment of the LORD" refers specifically and directly to God's explicit instruction in [Numbers 14:25](/numbers/14-25 "Numbers 14:25 - God Commands Israel to Turn Back") to turn back into the wilderness, rather than to ascend into the land. Their attempt to invade was a direct, conscious, and defiant violation of this clear divine directive. This question reveals a deep-seated pattern of human will attempting to override divine instruction, demonstrating a profound lack of submission, trust, and understanding of their covenant relationship with God.
* **"but it shall not prosper.":** This second clause is Moses' solemn, prophetic declaration, conveying God's certain and unalterable judgment upon their presumptuous act. It is a definitive statement of divine truth: any endeavor undertaken in defiance of God's revealed will, and without His accompanying presence and blessing, is inherently doomed to fail. This pronouncement underscores the absolute principle that human strength, military strategy, or sheer determination are utterly insufficient when God's favor is withdrawn and His command is violated. Their attempt, born of pride, a misguided effort to undo their past sin on their own terms, and a profound misunderstanding of genuine repentance, was already marked for failure by divine decree.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:41 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its weighty and urgent message. Moses' opening phrase, "Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD?", functions as a potent **Rhetorical Question**. This is not a genuine inquiry seeking information, but rather a forceful declaration designed to highlight the egregious nature of their sin, to expose the irrationality of their behavior, and to provoke immediate self-reflection on their rebellious actions. It underscores the obviousness and inexcusability of their transgression. Following this, the definitive statement "but it shall not prosper" serves as a **Prophetic Declaration** or **Divine Pronouncement**. It is a definitive statement of certain consequence, not merely a prediction, but an authoritative and binding pronouncement of what *will* inevitably happen because God's will has been directly defied. There is also a profound element of **Irony** embedded in the Israelites' actions. Having refused to enter the land when God commanded them to, demonstrating a lack of faith, they now presumptuously attempt to enter when God has explicitly forbidden it and withdrawn His presence. This tragic reversal of their initial disobedience, far from being an act of genuine repentance, is another, equally destructive form of rebellion, demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of true obedience, God's sovereignty, and the nature of His covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:41 profoundly illustrates the critical biblical principle that true success, divine blessing, and genuine prosperity are inextricably contingent upon humble obedience to God's revealed will and the active presence of His favor. The Israelites' presumptuous attempt to force their way into the Promised Land, after God had explicitly commanded them to turn back, highlights the utter futility of human effort when it operates outside of divine guidance and in direct opposition to God's directives. This passage serves as a powerful and enduring warning against presumptuous sin—the arrogant assumption that one can achieve spiritual or material goals through self-effort, self-will, or even misguided zeal, especially after having rejected God's clear direction. It teaches that genuine repentance involves humble submission to God's judgment, a patient waiting for His renewed direction, and a willingness to accept the consequences of past sin, rather than a defiant attempt to "fix" things on one's own terms. The divine pronouncement that their endeavor "shall not prosper" underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the indispensable necessity of His presence and blessing for any true and lasting success in life and faith.

* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22-23 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")
* [Proverbs 16:25](/proverbs/16-25 "Proverbs 16:25 - There Is a Way That Seems Right to a Man")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the LORD Builds the House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 14:41 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today concerning the indispensable nature of obedience, the insidious dangers of presumption, and the true source of lasting prosperity and fruitfulness in the Christian life. It challenges us to deeply examine the motivations behind our actions and endeavors: are we genuinely seeking God's will and patiently waiting for His perfect timing, or are we attempting to manipulate circumstances, circumvent divine processes, or rectify past mistakes through our own strength, wisdom, or self-willed zeal? This verse serves as a stark warning against the spiritual pride that believes it can achieve God's purposes without God's empowering presence or, worse, in direct opposition to His explicit command. True faith is not about forcing God's hand or presuming upon His grace; it is about humble submission to His sovereign will, patient waiting for His direction, and courageous obedience when He *does* command. Our "prosperity" in God's kingdom and our effectiveness in His service are measured not by our human accomplishments or the outcomes we engineer, but by our unwavering alignment with His will and the genuine fruitfulness that flows from abiding in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern the crucial difference between genuine, faith-filled action and presumptuous, self-willed endeavor in my personal life and ministry?**
* **In what specific areas might I be attempting to "prosper" through my own efforts, rather than humbly relying on God's presence, wisdom, and blessing?**
* **What does it truly mean to repent and submit to God's will, especially when His path seems difficult, counter-intuitive, or contrary to my immediate desires?**
* **How does this verse challenge and reshape my understanding of success, failure, and divine favor in the Christian walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites try to go up into the land if God had just told them not to?**

Answer: Their attempt was a misguided and profoundly presumptuous reaction to God's severe judgment. After hearing the devastating decree that they would die in the wilderness, they experienced a superficial "repentance" that was not rooted in genuine submission to God's will, but rather in a desperate desire to escape the consequences of their sin through self-effort. They mistakenly believed that by showing a sudden, albeit self-initiated, zeal for the land, they could somehow reverse God's decree or prove their worthiness. However, this was not an act of faith or obedience, but a defiant attempt to force God's hand and achieve victory on their own terms, completely ignoring God's explicit command in [Numbers 14:25](/numbers/14-25 "Numbers 14:25 - God Commands Israel to Turn Back") to turn back into the wilderness. Their actions demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of true repentance and divine sovereignty.

**What was the "commandment of the LORD" they transgressed?**

Answer: The specific "commandment of the LORD" they transgressed was God's explicit instruction given in [Numbers 14:25](/numbers/14-25 "Numbers 14:25 - God Commands Israel to Turn Back"). Following the people's rebellion and God's pronouncement of judgment, the LORD told Moses: "Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn you and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea." Their subsequent attempt to ascend into the hill country and engage in battle was a direct, conscious, and deliberate violation of this clear divine directive to turn back and not proceed.

**What happened immediately after this warning from Moses?**

Answer: Despite Moses' stern and clear warning, the people stubbornly refused to listen and defiantly went up into the hill country anyway. As Moses had prophetically declared, their endeavor did not prosper. They were met by the Amalekites and Canaanites, who struck them down and routed them decisively, pursuing them as far as Hormah. This swift and devastating defeat, detailed in [Numbers 14:45](/numbers/14-45 "Numbers 14:45 - Israel's Defeat by the Amalekites and Canaanites"), served as a tangible and immediate manifestation of God's judgment and the absolute futility of any action undertaken without His presence, blessing, and explicit command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:41, with its stark declaration that self-willed efforts apart from God "shall not prosper," powerfully foreshadows the utter inability of fallen humanity to achieve salvation, righteousness, or true spiritual prosperity through its own works, strength, or presumptuous actions. Just as Israel could not enter the earthly Promised Land by their own might or defiant efforts, so too can no one enter into God's eternal rest or achieve a righteous standing before Him by their own merit, religious striving, or attempts to "fix" their sin problem. The profound futility of their wilderness generation's efforts underscores the foundational New Testament truth that "without me ye can do nothing," as Jesus Himself declares in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ"). Our "promised land" of eternal life, reconciled fellowship with God, and true spiritual flourishing is not accessed through our imperfect obedience to a law we cannot perfectly keep, nor by our misguided attempts to earn favor, but solely through the perfect obedience, atoning sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one who perfectly fulfilled the Father's will on our behalf, thereby opening the true and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). Our ultimate "prosperity" in the spiritual realm is found not in our strenuous doing, but in our humble believing and abiding in Him, for "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")). The ultimate fulfillment of the promise of rest and entrance into God's presence is found in the finished work of Christ, which graciously invites us to enter His rest by faith ([Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Entering God's Rest")).

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

2 Chronicles 24:20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

Jeremiah 32:5

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

Job 4:9

By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

Jeremiah 2:37

Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

Numbers 14:25

(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.