Numbers 14:18

The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].

The LORD {H3068} is longsuffering {H750}{H639}, and of great {H7227} mercy {H2617}, forgiving {H5375} iniquity {H5771} and transgression {H6588}, and by no means {H5352} clearing {H5352} the guilty, visiting {H6485} the iniquity {H5771} of the fathers {H1} upon the children {H1121} unto the third {H8029} and fourth {H7256} generation.

'ADONAI is slow to anger, rich in grace, forgiving offenses and crimes; yet not exonerating the guilty, but causing the negative effects of the parents' offenses to be experienced by their children and even by the third and fourth generations.'

โ€˜The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.โ€™

Jehovah is slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

Commentary

Context

Numbers 14:18 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Israel's wilderness wanderings. It comes directly after the Israelites, swayed by the negative report of ten spies, refused to enter the Promised Land and instead sought to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt. In response to God's righteous anger and intention to destroy the nation, Moses intercedes on their behalf. In his impassioned prayer, Moses appeals to God's revealed character, quoting attributes God Himself declared to him on Mount Sinai. This verse encapsulates both God's immense grace and His unwavering justice, forming the theological bedrock of Moses' plea for mercy for a rebellious people.

Key Themes

  • God's Character: Longsuffering and Mercy: The verse begins by highlighting God's incredible patience (longsuffering) and abundant steadfast love (mercy). This emphasizes His willingness to delay judgment and offer grace, even in the face of repeated provocation. This attribute is a cornerstone of God's self-revelation, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7, which Moses directly references.
  • Forgiveness of Sin: God is portrayed as one who actively forgives "iniquity and transgression," demonstrating His power and desire to pardon those who turn to Him. This aspect of His nature is central to the covenant relationship.
  • Unwavering Justice and Consequences: Immediately following the declaration of forgiveness, the verse states that God will "by no means clear the guilty." This reveals the tension between God's mercy and His perfect justice. While He forgives the penitent, sin itself has consequences, and God's holiness demands accountability for unrepented wrongdoing.
  • Generational Impact of Sin: The challenging phrase "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation" speaks to the profound, far-reaching effects of sin. This does not imply that children are held guilty for their parents' sins, but rather that the consequences, patterns, and brokenness resulting from foundational sins can indeed impact successive generations. This concept is balanced by other scriptures emphasizing individual accountability, such as Ezekiel 18:20, which states that the son will not bear the iniquity of the father.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "longsuffering" comes from the Hebrew phrase 'erekh appayim (ืึถืจึถืšึฐ ืึทืคึทึผื™ึดื), literally meaning "slow to anger" or "long of nose" (as anger was often associated with flaring nostrils). This vividly portrays God's immense patience. "Mercy" here is from chesed (ื—ึถืกึถื“), a rich Hebrew term signifying God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, and unfailing kindness, often translated as "lovingkindness." The phrase "by no means clearing the guilty" emphasizes the certainty of justice; the Hebrew uses a double negative, meaning "He will not acquit the guilty at all."

Practical Application

Numbers 14:18 offers profound truths for believers today:

  1. Awe of God's Character: It invites us to stand in awe of a God who is both infinitely patient and merciful, yet also perfectly just. We can approach Him for forgiveness with confidence in His grace.
  2. Seriousness of Sin: While God forgives, sin is never trivial. This verse reminds us that there are real consequences, both for the individual and potentially for generations, highlighting the importance of repentance and seeking God's ways.
  3. Breaking Generational Cycles: Understanding the concept of generational consequences can empower individuals to identify and break cycles of sin, addiction, or ungodly patterns within their families, seeking God's healing and transformation.
  4. Hope in Intercession: Moses' successful intercession, grounded in God's revealed character, encourages us to pray for others, appealing to the same attributes of God's mercy and longsuffering.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 34:6 (22 votes)

    And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

  • Exodus 34:7 (22 votes)

    Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

  • Psalms 145:8 (15 votes)

    The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

  • Jonah 4:2 (11 votes)

    And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

  • Exodus 20:5 (11 votes)

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • Nahum 1:2 (8 votes)

    ยถ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

  • Nahum 1:3 (8 votes)

    The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.