Deuteronomy 1 43

Deuteronomy 1:43 kjv

So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.

Deuteronomy 1:43 nkjv

So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the LORD, and presumptuously went up into the mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:43 niv

So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the LORD's command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country.

Deuteronomy 1:43 esv

So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country.

Deuteronomy 1:43 nlt

"This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD's command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 43 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:43 recounts Moses' warning to the Israelites, stating that despite his clear communication, they refused to heed, stubbornly rebelling against the specific command of the Lord. Their actions were characterized by presumption, a defiant act against God's direct instruction, as they impulsively proceeded to ascend the hill country against divine orders. This verse highlights the deep-seated disobedience and wilful defiance of the generation condemned to wander in the wilderness due to their earlier rejection of God's command to enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 1 43 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 1 serves as the beginning of Moses' farewell speeches to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. He recounts key historical events from their forty years of wandering, not just as a narrative, but as a teaching mechanism to impress upon them the importance of covenant obedience. Verse 43 falls within the recount of the critical Kadesh Barnea incident (Deut 1:19-46), where the previous generation refused to enter the Promised Land after hearing the fearful report of the spies (Num 13-14). After God decreed that they would wander for forty years and that none of that generation (except Caleb and Joshua) would enter the land, Israel had a change of heart – but it was not a genuine, repentant change. Instead, they acted presumptuously, defying God's explicit instruction not to go up and fight the Anakim, which is what this verse directly addresses. The immediate context shows Moses' desperate attempt to deter them, yet their hardened hearts prevailed.

Deuteronomy 1 43 Word analysis

• So I spoke to you: Moses uses the first person "I" (ʾānōḵî in Hebrew) to emphasize his direct engagement and the personal effort he made to communicate God's message. It implies a clear, direct warning that was delivered personally.
• but you would not listen: The Hebrew verb is shamaʿ (שָׁמַע), which means not merely "to hear," but profoundly "to hear and obey," or "to listen attentively and respond accordingly." This is a foundational covenant term in Deuteronomy. Their refusal to "shamaʿ" signifies a rejection of the covenant relationship itself.
• but rebelled: The verb used here is marah (מָרָה), meaning "to be contentious, rebellious, disobedient." This term frequently describes Israel's obstinacy throughout their wilderness journey. It implies a deliberate and stubborn act of opposition to authority, particularly divine authority.
• against the command of the Lord: The phrase "command of the Lord" translates a Hebrew idiom: "the mouth of the LORD" (פִּי יְהוָה, pi YHWH). This highlights that the instruction was not an ordinary suggestion, but a direct, authoritative utterance from God Himself. It emphasizes the direct source of the rejected order, making their rebellion even more egregious.
• and acted presumptuously: This is from the Hebrew root zid (זִיד), which means "to boil up," "act proudly," "to behave presumptuously, defiantly, insolently." In legal contexts (e.g., Num 15:30), zid describes a high-handed, intentional sin, distinguishing it from an unintentional error. Such an act carries severe consequences because it denies God's authority. Their decision was not out of faith or humble obedience, but arrogant self-will, believing they knew better or could force an outcome.
• and went up into the hill country: This specific action was in direct contradiction to God's command given just prior, via Moses (Deut 1:42), not to go up because He would not be with them. Their action, following Moses' warning, was a physical manifestation of their spiritual rebellion and presumption. The "hill country" refers to the specific region inhabited by the Amorites and other enemies (Num 14:45), which God had now forbidden them to enter through military action from that direction.

Deuteronomy 1 43 Bonus section

The concept of shamaʿ (hearing and obeying) in this verse is paramount to understanding the entire book of Deuteronomy. It underscores that God's covenant with Israel was not just about blessings, but also contingent on active and sustained obedience. The Israelite generation condemned at Kadesh Barnea, as reflected in this verse, demonstrated the opposite of shamaʿ. Their act of going up was a misplaced expression of zeal; they displayed eagerness for battle after God forbade it, yet recoiled from entering the land when He commanded it. This highlights a critical spiritual error: often, people are willing to "work for God" on their own terms, in their own strength, and at times convenient to them, rather than humbly submitting to God's precise timing and explicit commands. The judgment that followed was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their specific type of rebellion, defined by the "presumptuous" quality (zid), which directly challenged the divine command, setting them apart from those who sin ignorantly.

Deuteronomy 1 43 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:43 serves as a stark indictment of Israel's persistent disobedience during their wilderness wanderings, specifically focusing on the pivotal failure at Kadesh Barnea. It unveils the destructive cycle of human presumption against divine authority. Despite Moses' faithful reiteration of God's word and earnest warnings, the people refused to internalize and act upon it. Their "not listening" (refusing to obey) directly led to "rebellion," which escalated into "presumptuous action." This wasn't merely a moment of weakness or an unintentional misstep, but a defiant, "high-handed" act stemming from arrogance and a deep-seated lack of trust in God's stated will. They foolishly believed that their human will and strength could succeed where God had expressly declared otherwise, leading them to pursue the very path He had closed. The tragic outcome of their going up into the hill country alone, without God's presence, resulted in a crushing defeat by their enemies. This verse is a timeless warning against choosing one's own path over God's clear instructions, demonstrating that defiance against divine will always leads to adverse consequences, serving as a cautionary tale for all who seek to walk by their own understanding rather than by faith and obedience to the Lord.