Numbers 14 20

Numbers 14:20 kjv

And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:

Numbers 14:20 nkjv

Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word;

Numbers 14:20 niv

The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked.

Numbers 14:20 esv

Then the LORD said, "I have pardoned, according to your word.

Numbers 14:20 nlt

Then the LORD said, "I will pardon them as you have requested.

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 20 Meaning

Numbers 14:20 declares the LORD's immediate response to Moses' fervent intercession: "And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word." This verse signifies God's divine mercy and readiness to forgive when appealed to in truth and alignment with His character. It illustrates the power of intercessory prayer and God's faithfulness to His covenant, even in the face of profound human rebellion. Though the immediate judgment of total destruction was averted, the pardon in this context was specific and did not negate all consequences of the Israelites' unbelief and defiance.

Numbers 14 20 Context

Numbers chapter 14 describes the immediate aftermath of the twelve spies' return from Canaan. Ten of the spies brought back a negative report, instilling fear and despair among the Israelites. The people grumbled against the LORD and Moses, even proposing to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt, an outright act of rebellion and rejection of God's promise. Enraged by their unbelief and lack of trust, God threatened to disinherit them and make Moses a greater nation. It is in this critical moment that Moses steps forward as an intercessor (verses 13-19), appealing to God's character, His great power, and His glory among the nations. Moses specifically pleads for God to pardon their iniquity according to His steadfast love. Numbers 14:20 is God's direct and gracious response, affirming that He has indeed granted the pardon Moses sought, thus averting the immediate destruction of the entire nation. This decision, however, sets the stage for the consequence detailed in the subsequent verses: 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, preventing that generation from entering the Promised Land.

Historically, this event took place early in Israel's wilderness journey after their Exodus from Egypt. It highlights the profound contrast between the gracious, covenant-keeping God of Israel (Yahweh) and the capricious, unforgiving deities of the surrounding pagan nations. Unlike the arbitrary gods, Yahweh's actions are consistent with His declared character, even when extended in mercy to a rebellious people. The polemic is against any belief system that denies a truly merciful, intercessible, and consistent divine nature.

Numbers 14 20 Word analysis

• And: Connects directly to Moses' intercession, showing the immediacy of God's response.
• the LORD: Heb. Yahweh (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness to His people, even in their rebellion. This is not just any deity, but the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
• said: Implies a definitive divine declaration. What Yahweh says, is.
• I have pardoned: Heb. salachti (סָלַחְתִּי), the perfect tense of the verb salach (סָלַח). This term specifically denotes a divine act of forgiveness, often used when God forgives sins directly and completely, removing the guilt and liability. It differs from other Hebrew words for forgiveness like nasa (to lift up, bear away), which can also refer to atonement, as salach uniquely emphasizes God's unilateral decision to release from the penalty of sin. It indicates a finished action – "I have pardoned," demonstrating God's immediate response to Moses.
• according to: Heb. ki- (כִּ), a preposition indicating "as, in accordance with, because of." It denotes conformity or agreement.
• thy word: Heb. d'varekha (דְבָרֶֽךָ). This refers specifically to Moses' plea and request for pardon in Num 14:19. It does not imply that Moses dictated God's will, but rather that Moses' prayer was aligned with God's character of mercy and glory, thus enabling God to respond affirmatively to his plea. God honored Moses' faithful and Spirit-inspired intercession.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the LORD said": This opening phrase underscores divine authority and response. God directly addresses Moses and the situation, taking swift action. It highlights the direct communication between God and His chosen servant, central to the Pentateuch.
• "I have pardoned": This declaration is the core of the verse, demonstrating God's essential attribute of mercy (hesed). It highlights His willingness to set aside His immediate wrath for the sake of His name and the intercession of His servant, revealing His character as "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Ex 34:6). This pardon means the people would not be consumed instantly, but given another chance, though not without disciplinary consequences.
• "according to thy word": This phrase emphasizes the profound impact of Moses' intercession. It underscores God's responsiveness to prayer, particularly when offered with a sincere heart, appealing to God's own glory and attributes. It reveals the privilege and responsibility of spiritual leadership to stand in the gap for the people, echoing themes of mediation.

Numbers 14 20 Bonus section

The pardon granted in Numbers 14:20 is a profound example of God's mercy being exercised in relation to consequences. The people were spared immediate annihilation, demonstrating divine patience. However, the subsequent verses (Num 14:21-35) make it clear that while pardoned from immediate judgment, the entire generation above twenty years of age (excluding Caleb and Joshua) would still perish in the wilderness, unable to enter the Promised Land due to their continued unbelief and rebellion. This teaches that while God can forgive the sin itself, not all consequences are automatically removed. God's holiness demands accountability, and discipline is a facet of His fatherly love, designed for purification and to establish the righteousness of His character among all nations. This distinction highlights that God's forgiveness is true and complete, yet it often works within the framework of real-world outcomes and disciplinary processes. This event serves as a foundational warning against presumption and a profound display of God's sovereignty over both life and death, mercy and judgment. Moses' intercession highlights the necessity of a mediator between a holy God and a sinful people, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the one perfect Intercessor whose prayer always perfectly aligns with the Father's will and who secures not merely delayed judgment, but full redemption from sin and its ultimate consequences for believers.

Numbers 14 20 Commentary

Numbers 14:20 marks a profound moment of divine grace amidst human rebellion. In response to Moses' strategic intercession, which appealed not to the Israelites' merit but to God's reputation and attributes, the LORD decisively declares "I have pardoned." This immediate and authoritative pronouncement showcases God's unfathomable mercy (hesed) and His readiness to forgive. While the act of pardon averted instantaneous destruction, it did not nullify all consequences for the egregious sin of unbelief and rejection. The wilderness generation was spared from utter annihilation, yet was subjected to the disciplinary consequence of 40 years of wandering, preventing them from entering the Promised Land. This nuanced pardon illustrates God's perfect balance of justice and mercy – He forgives the sin in principle, yet implements disciplinary actions that align with the severity of the offense. This verse fundamentally portrays God as a Hearer of prayer and a Giver of second chances, reinforcing Moses' vital role as a mediator foreshadowing Christ's ultimate intercession.