Deuteronomy 9 23

Deuteronomy 9:23 kjv

Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.

Deuteronomy 9:23 nkjv

Likewise, when the LORD sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, 'Go up and possess the land which I have given you,' then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and you did not believe Him nor obey His voice.

Deuteronomy 9:23 niv

And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, "Go up and take possession of the land I have given you." But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him.

Deuteronomy 9:23 esv

And when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, 'Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,' then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God and did not believe him or obey his voice.

Deuteronomy 9:23 nlt

And at Kadesh-barnea the LORD sent you out with this command: 'Go up and take over the land I have given you.' But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and refused to put your trust in him or obey him.

Deuteronomy 9 verses

Deuteronomy 9 23 Meaning

Deuteronomy 9:23 conveys Israel’s significant failure at Kadesh-barnea. Despite God's clear command to enter and possess the land He had already promised and given, the people actively rebelled against His word. This rebellion stemmed from a fundamental lack of faith in God's power and faithfulness, leading directly to their refusal to obey His explicit instruction.

Deuteronomy 9 23 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 9 is part of Moses' second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites, preparing them to enter the promised land. Moses reminds them that their success in dispossessing the nations is not due to their own righteousness (Deut 9:4-6), but to God's covenant faithfulness and the wickedness of the current inhabitants. To underscore this point, Moses recounts a litany of Israel's past rebellions against the Lord, emphasizing their persistent stiff-necked nature. He details the grievous sin of the Golden Calf at Horeb (Deut 9:7-21), demonstrating their immediate idolatry after receiving the Law. This narrative then transitions directly to the pivotal rebellion at Kadesh-barnea (Deut 9:23-24), presented as another profound act of disobedience and unbelief that sealed the fate of the previous generation. Moses' purpose is to humble them and foster reliance on God alone as they face the challenges of conquering Canaan.

Deuteronomy 9 23 Word analysis

• And when: Connects this specific rebellion to the ongoing narrative of Israel's disobedience recounted by Moses.
• the LORD: יְהֹוָה (Yahweh). Refers to God's personal covenant name. Their rebellion was not against a generic deity, but against their own covenant God, highlighting the profound nature of their treachery.
• sent you: Signifies divine commission and clear instruction from God. He was active in guiding them.
• from Kadesh-barnea: קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ (Kadesh Barnea). A highly significant geographic and historical landmark. This was the threshold to the promised land, the place of critical decision. The name "Kadesh" meaning "holy" ironically marks the site of profound unholiness and disobedience.
• saying: Indicates God's explicit and verbal communication, leaving no room for misunderstanding regarding His will.
• ‘Go up: עֲלָה (alah). A direct, urgent command to ascend and occupy the land, signifying an act requiring immediate obedience and faith in God's leading.
• and possess: וְרָשַׁתֶּם (v'rash'tem). Implies taking rightful, active possession of territory, a task facilitated by God.
• the land which I have given you,’: אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם (eretz asher natati lakhem). Emphasizes that the land was already a divine grant, a settled promise. Their role was to receive what God had already sovereignly provided, demonstrating His generous and faithful character. This contrasts sharply with surrounding cultures where lands had to be fiercely fought for or gained by pleasing unpredictable deities.
• then ye rebelled: וַתַּמְרוּ (vatamru). A strong verb indicating overt defiance, stubborn resistance, and an act of turning against divine authority. It signifies more than a mistake; it's a conscious act of insubordination.
• against the command: פִּי (pi). Literally "mouth." Here it denotes God's explicit word or directive. The rebellion was directly against His spoken will.
• of the LORD your God: יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (Yahweh Eloheikhem). Reaffirms the covenant relationship, underscoring the magnitude of their betrayal against the One who was both their sovereign ruler and faithful provider.
• and ye believed Him not: וְלֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם לוֹ (v'lo he'emantem lo). This is the core issue. It means "did not put trust in Him" or "did not have faith in Him." This lack of active reliance on God's character and promises was the root cause of their subsequent disobedience.
• nor hearkened to His voice: וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלוֹ (v'lo sh'ma'tem b'qolo). "Did not listen to" or "did not obey His voice." In the Hebrew context, "hearing" implies "obeying." Their refusal to obey God's explicit verbal command was the manifest proof of their deeper unbelief.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you’": This phrase meticulously outlines God's clear, authoritative, and gracious initiative. It defines the moment and nature of God's perfect plan and command, emphasizing the land as a guaranteed gift. This context heightens the gravity of the subsequent human failure.
• "then ye rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and ye believed Him not nor hearkened to His voice": This crucial phrase reveals the tripartite nature of their sin: active rebellion, root unbelief, and resulting disobedience. It underscores that disobedience often stems from a prior lack of faith or trust in God's character and His word. This wasn't passive failure but active defiance, culminating in both distrust and practical insubordination.

Deuteronomy 9 23 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the phrase "which I have given you" highlights a key theological point: the land was not something Israel had to earn or conquer by their own might, but a divine inheritance, a free gift. Their responsibility was to accept and enter into this gift by faith. Their failure at Kadesh-barnea demonstrated a profound distrust in the very nature of God as the Giver, undermining His benevolent promise. This narrative strongly critiques any notion that human effort or merit is the primary means of securing divine favor; rather, faithful obedience to God's established commands is the prerequisite for experiencing His given blessings. It also implicitly serves as a vital lesson for the new generation: God's ultimate faithfulness in giving the land remains constant, despite the failures of individuals, assuring them that His promises are steadfast if they, unlike their parents, respond in faith and obedience.

Deuteronomy 9 23 Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:23 serves as a stark reminder of the intrinsic connection between faith, obedience, and inheriting God's blessings. At Kadesh-barnea, Israel stood on the precipice of fulfilling generations of promise, with God Himself explicitly commanding them to enter and claim the land He had already graciously given. Their failure was not due to God's inability or a lack of clarity in His directive, but a direct result of their inner unbelief. They did not trust in His power to overcome the perceived giants, nor in His faithfulness to His promise. This distrust blossomed into open rebellion and outright disobedience, sealing their fate to wander the wilderness for four decades. The verse emphasizes that merely being close to the blessing, or even receiving a clear command, is insufficient; what truly matters is a heart that trusts God enough to respond with immediate and courageous obedience. It underscores that rebellion is born from unbelief, and a disobedient ear reflects a faithless heart.

• Example 1: When God calls a believer to step out of their comfort zone for His mission (e.g., evangelism, sacrificial giving), hesitating due to fear of inadequacy or perceived impossibility, rather than trusting in God's enablement, reflects Kadesh-barnea unbelief.
• Example 2: When facing difficult instructions from Scripture (e.g., forgive enemies, love those who persecute), rejecting them as impractical or too hard, rather than trusting God for the strength and wisdom, parallels Israel's rebellion against His word.