Numbers 14:43

For the Amalekites and the Canaanites [are] there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.

For the Amalekites {H6003} and the Canaanites {H3669} are there before {H6440} you, and ye shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}: because ye are turned {H7725} away {H310} from the LORD {H3068}, therefore the LORD {H3068} will not be with you.

The 'Amalekim and the Kena'anim are there ahead of you, and you will be struck down by the sword. The reason will be that you have turned away from following ADONAI, so that ADONAI won't be with you."

For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.”

For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned back from following Jehovah, therefore Jehovah will not be with you.

Commentary

Numbers 14:43 delivers a stern warning from Moses to the Israelites, immediately following their defiant decision to attempt entry into the Promised Land, despite God's declared judgment against them and His explicit instruction not to proceed.

Context of Numbers 14:43

This verse is a direct consequence of the Israelites' profound disobedience and lack of faith. After receiving the fearful report from ten of the twelve spies about the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, the people despaired and rebelled, even wishing to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). In response, God declared that the entire generation of adult Israelites, except for Caleb and Joshua, would perish in the wilderness and not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:28-35). However, upon hearing this severe judgment, some of the people presumptuously decided they would go up and fight the Amalekites and Canaanites anyway. They believed they could reverse God's decree through their own strength, and crucially, without the presence of the Ark of the Covenant or Moses, who represented God's direct guidance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse starkly illustrates that turning away from God's command and counsel leads directly to negative, often severe, outcomes. Their earlier rebellion in refusing to trust God and enter the land now brings about a situation where God withdraws His protective presence.
  • Divine Presence is Paramount: Moses warns that "the LORD will not be with you." This highlights the essential truth that victory in spiritual or physical battles is not achieved through human might or numbers, but through God's active presence and blessing. Without Him, even a seemingly strong military effort is doomed to fail. This echoes the sentiment in Psalm 127:1, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it."
  • Presumption vs. Faith: The Israelites' attempt to fight after God had already declared judgment and explicitly told them not to was an act of presumption, not faith. True faith involves obedience to God's word and timing, not trying to force His hand or achieve His promises through disobedient means.
  • The Role of Enemies: The Amalekites and Canaanites, whom God had originally promised to drive out before them, now become instruments of their defeat because God's protection has been withdrawn.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ye are turned away from the LORD" uses the Hebrew verb shuv (שׁוּב), which fundamentally means "to turn back" or "to return." In this context, it signifies a decisive turning away from God's covenant, His commands, and His intended path. It implies a spiritual apostasy or rebellion against divine authority, which naturally leads to the withdrawal of God's favor and protective presence. This is not merely a momentary lapse but a fundamental shift in allegiance and trust.

Practical Application

Numbers 14:43 serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual and practical success is contingent upon our relationship with God and our obedience to His will. We cannot expect God's blessing or protection when we are acting in defiance of His commands or presumptuously forging ahead in our own strength. It teaches us to:

  • Seek God's Guidance: Always consult God's Word and prayer before embarking on significant endeavors, trusting His timing and direction.
  • Obey God's Word: Understand that disobedience carries consequences, and God's presence and blessing are often tied to our faithfulness.
  • Avoid Presumption: Do not assume God will bless efforts undertaken against His clear will or without His explicit leading, no matter how well-intentioned they may seem.

This verse underscores the profound importance of God's presence in the lives of His people and the grave dangers of rebellion and self-reliance.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 13:29

    The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

  • Judges 16:20

    And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

  • Deuteronomy 28:25

    The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • Hosea 9:12

    Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, [that there shall] not [be] a man [left]: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
← Back