Numbers 14:42

KJV

Go not up, for the LORD [is] not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go not up {H5927}, for the LORD {H3068} is not among {H7130} you; that ye be not smitten {H5062} before {H6440} your enemies {H341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't go up there, because ADONAI isn't with you. If you do, your enemies will defeat you.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you.

American Standard Version

Go not up, for Jehovah is not among you; that ye be not smitten down before your enemies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:42 delivers Moses' urgent and prophetic warning to the Israelites, who, in a misguided attempt at repentance after being condemned to wander in the wilderness, presumed to attack the Amalekites and Canaanites. This verse underscores the futility and danger of human presumption and self-willed action when divorced from divine command and presence, serving as a stark reminder that true success and protection for God's people are wholly contingent upon His active involvement and blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a pivotal and devastating moment in Israel's wilderness journey. After the twelve spies returned from Canaan, ten delivered a fearful report, leading the entire congregation to rebel against the LORD and Moses, even proposing to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). In response to their profound lack of faith and open rebellion, God declared that the entire generation, save Caleb and Joshua, would perish in the wilderness and not enter the Promised Land ([Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). Overcome with grief, and perhaps a superficial or misdirected repentance, some of the people decided, against Moses' explicit warning, to "go up" and fight the Amalekites and Canaanites ([Numbers 14:39-41](/numbers/14-39 "Numbers 14:39-41 - Presumptuous Attack")). Moses, speaking with divine authority, reiterates God's absence from their self-initiated venture, warning them of certain defeat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were a newly formed nation, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage and journeying through a harsh wilderness. Their identity and success were intrinsically tied to the covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had promised them land and protection. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the presence and favor of a deity were considered paramount for victory. For Israel, this was uniquely true: Yahweh was their divine warrior, fighting their battles for them ([Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Fights for Israel")). Their recent rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, fueled by fear of the inhabitants of Canaan, demonstrated their distrust in God's ability to deliver the land. Now, in a sudden reversal, they propose to do what they had previously refused, but without God's command or presence. This act was not one of faith or obedience, but a desperate, self-willed attempt to rectify their situation, revealing a deep misunderstanding of God's judgment and the nature of true repentance.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 14:42 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights the severe **consequences of disobedience** and the **futility of presumption**, demonstrating that human effort, however well-intentioned or seemingly courageous, is doomed to fail when it contradicts God's revealed will and lacks His divine sanction. The verse underscores the absolute necessity of **divine presence as the key to victory** for Israel; without the LORD "among them," their military endeavors were destined for failure, emphasizing their utter dependence on God for protection and success, a theme echoed in [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise to be with Joshua") and [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House"). It also implicitly speaks to the nature of **true repentance**, which involves humble submission to God's judgment and patient waiting on His timing, rather than self-willed attempts to undo consequences through human strength.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go not up (Hebrew, _‘alah_):** This verb literally means "to ascend," "to go up," or "to climb." In this military context, it refers to ascending into the hill country where the Amalekites and Canaanites resided, a strategic move for battle. Moses' command, "Go not up," is a direct prohibition, emphasizing that this action is not divinely sanctioned. It highlights the Israelites' intent to initiate an offensive without God's command, contrasting sharply with previous instances where God explicitly ordered them to "go up" and conquer ([Numbers 13:30](/numbers/13-30 "Numbers 13:30 - Caleb's Call to Go Up")).
* **among you (Hebrew, _bə·qir·bə·ḵem_):** The preposition _bə_ means "in" or "among," and _qerev_ refers to the "midst," "inward part," or "presence." Thus, "among you" signifies God's active, protective, and empowering presence within their midst, leading them in battle. The declaration that the LORD "is not among you" is the core reason for the prohibition, indicating a withdrawal of divine favor, protection, and active participation in their military endeavors due to their sin. This absence guarantees defeat.
* **smitten (Hebrew, _nagaph_):** This verb means "to strike," "to smite," "to plague," or "to defeat decisively." It often describes a divine act of judgment or a crushing defeat inflicted by an enemy. Here, it foretells the inevitable and devastating defeat they will suffer at the hands of their enemies if they proceed. The use of _nagaph_ underscores the certainty and severity of the judgment that awaits them, directly linking their presumptuous action to a guaranteed negative outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go not up,"**: This is a direct, emphatic command from Moses, acting as God's prophet. It is a clear prohibition against the Israelites' self-initiated military venture. It signifies that their proposed action is not only ill-advised but explicitly forbidden by divine authority.
* **"for the LORD [is] not among you;"**: This clause provides the crucial divine rationale for the command. The absence of the LORD's active presence and favor is the determining factor. It means God will not lead them, protect them, or grant them victory. This is a direct consequence of their recent rebellion and rejection of God's command to enter the land by faith.
* **"that ye be not smitten before your enemies."**: This final clause states the inevitable and dire consequence of disobeying the command and acting without God's presence. It is a prophetic warning of certain and decisive defeat at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites. The outcome is not merely a possibility but a certainty, stemming directly from the LORD's withdrawal.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:42 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Warning**, delivered directly by Moses, highlighting the imminent danger of their presumptuous actions. This warning functions as a **Prophecy** of certain defeat, which is tragically fulfilled in the subsequent verses ([Numbers 14:45](/numbers/14-45 "Numbers 14:45 - Israel's Defeat")). There is a strong element of **Irony** in the Israelites' behavior: they refused to "go up" and conquer when God commanded them and promised His presence, but now they presumptuously decide to "go up" when God has explicitly withdrawn His presence and forbidden the action. This highlights their spiritual blindness and self-will. The verse also serves as a **Foreshadowing** of future instances in Israel's history where their success or failure in battle is directly tied to their obedience and the presence of God ([Judges 16:20](/judges/16-20 "Judges 16:20 - Samson's Strength Departs")). The concise, declarative nature of the verse also lends it an **Aphoristic** quality, encapsulating a timeless principle about the necessity of divine presence for true success.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:42 profoundly illustrates the principle that God's people operate under divine sovereignty, not human initiative. It teaches that true success, protection, and victory are not achieved through human strength, courage, or even misguided zeal, but solely through the active presence and command of the LORD. The Israelites' attempt to fight after God had declared His judgment and withdrawn His presence was an act of profound spiritual presumption, demonstrating a failure to grasp the nature of God's holiness and their covenantal dependence. Their grief over judgment was not matched by genuine, submissive repentance, which would have led them to accept God's decree rather than defy it. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that acting outside of God's will, even with seemingly good intentions or a desire to rectify past mistakes, leads only to futility and disaster.

* [Deuteronomy 1:42-44](/deuteronomy/1-42 "Deuteronomy 1:42-44 - Moses Recounts the Defeat")
* [Joshua 7:1-12](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1-12 - Achan's Sin and Defeat at Ai")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 14:42 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. It cautions us against the dangerous trap of presumptuous action—attempting to achieve by our own strength, wisdom, or self-willed efforts what only God can accomplish, or what God has not ordained. Just as the Israelites sought to fight without God's presence, we too can fall into the error of pursuing our goals, battling our challenges, or even attempting to "fix" our past mistakes without truly seeking God's will, His timing, and His empowering presence. True faith involves humble submission to God's sovereignty, even when His path seems difficult or involves accepting consequences. Our spiritual victories and daily successes are entirely dependent on the Lord being "among us," guiding our steps and empowering our efforts. This verse calls us to a deep dependence on God, reminding us that any endeavor undertaken outside of His explicit leading and empowering presence is destined for futility and potential disaster.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting presumptuously, attempting to achieve outcomes without seeking God's will or presence?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of true repentance, moving beyond regret to humble submission to God's declared will?**
* **What does it mean practically for the "LORD to be among me" in my daily walk, and how can I cultivate a greater awareness of His presence and leading?**
* **Are there "battles" I am fighting in my own strength that I should instead surrender to God, trusting in His timing and method?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites attempt to fight if Moses warned them God was not with them?**

Answer: Their decision to "go up" and fight was a complex mix of misguided grief, superficial repentance, and profound presumption. After God's severe judgment condemning them to wander in the wilderness for forty years ([Numbers 14:33-34](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33-34 - Forty Years in the Wilderness")), they were "very sorrowful" ([Numbers 14:39](/numbers/14-39 "Numbers 14:39 - Israel's Sorrow")). However, this sorrow did not lead to humble submission or genuine repentance. Instead, it manifested as a defiant, self-willed attempt to reverse the consequences of their sin through human effort. They believed that by showing a willingness to fight, they could somehow force God's hand or prove their worthiness. They likely underestimated the severity of God's withdrawal and Moses' warning, clinging to a false hope that their own strength could achieve what God had denied.

**What does "the LORD is not among you" truly signify in this context?**

Answer: This phrase signifies a withdrawal of God's active, protective, and empowering presence, which was absolutely essential for Israel's success in battle. For Israel, God was their divine warrior ([Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You")). His presence meant His leadership, His miraculous intervention, His strategic guidance, and His ultimate power to grant victory. When He declares "the LORD is not among you," it means He will not fight for them, He will not protect them, and He will not bless their endeavor. Their efforts, therefore, are doomed to fail, not because they lack human strength, but because they lack divine sanction and power. It's a statement of divine judgment and the immediate consequence of their rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:42, with its stark warning about the futility of action without God's presence, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Christ. Under the Old Covenant, God's presence was often conditional, tied to Israel's obedience, and could be withdrawn due to sin, leading to defeat. However, in the New Covenant, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, God's presence is no longer precarious but indwelling and permanent for believers. When Christ ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within His followers, ensuring that the Lord is always "among us" and "in us" ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Spirit of Truth")). We are no longer called to fight spiritual battles in our own strength, but to stand firm in the power of His might ([Ephesians 6:10](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10 - Stand Firm in the Lord")). Our victory over sin, death, and the devil is not achieved through self-willed efforts or presumption, but through Christ's accomplished work on the cross and His resurrection power, which now operates within us ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The warning of Numbers 14:42 underscores the Old Covenant's limitations, pointing forward to the glorious reality that in Christ, we are never truly "alone" or without God's empowering presence, enabling us to live lives of obedience and spiritual triumph through Him who strengthens us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

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

Deuteronomy 1:42

And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I [am] not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.

Joshua 7:8

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Psalms 44:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Psalms 44:11

Thou hast given us like sheep [appointed] for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.