Numbers 14 22

Numbers 14:22 kjv

Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Numbers 14:22 nkjv

because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice,

Numbers 14:22 niv

not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times?

Numbers 14:22 esv

none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice,

Numbers 14:22 nlt

not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice.

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 22 Meaning

Numbers 14:22 presents God's righteous declaration against the generation of Israelites who departed from Egypt, explaining the reason for their exclusion from the promised land. It asserts that despite witnessing overwhelming evidence of God's glory and miraculous power in Egypt and the wilderness, they repeatedly challenged His authority and trustworthiness ("tested Me ten times") and consistently refused to obey His divine commands. This persistent and ungrateful rebellion, in the face of profound divine revelation and provision, solidified their condemnation.

Numbers 14 22 Context

Numbers chapter 14 describes the critical turning point for the first generation of Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. Following the twelve spies' return from Canaan with their reports, ten of the spies presented a disheartening report emphasizing the strength of the land's inhabitants and their fortified cities, inducing fear and a lack of faith among the people. Despite Caleb and Joshua's faithful appeal and reassurance that God would deliver the land, the congregation rebelled. They expressed a desire to return to Egypt, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and even sought to stone their leaders. This verse, Numbers 14:22, encapsulates God's verdict and the rationale for His subsequent judgment upon them, directly addressing their persistent unbelief and disobedience in the face of abundant divine evidence and guidance. It highlights their unique, direct experience with God's power and provision, making their rebellion particularly grievous.

Numbers 14 22 Word analysis

• because all these men: Refers specifically to the adult generation, twenty years old and upward, who left Egypt, except for Caleb and Joshua (cf. Num 14:29-30). This phrase emphasizes a collective culpability of an entire generation, setting a stark boundary.

• who have seen My glory: Hebrew: kabod (כָּבוֹד) - "weight," "splendor," "honor," "manifestation." This signifies more than mere observation; it points to the profound, overwhelming display of God's manifest presence, power, and inherent nature. They witnessed the cloud, fire, and powerful acts. This implies direct, unmistakable revelation.

• and My signs: Hebrew: otot (אוֹתוֹת) - "signs," "tokens," "miracles," "proofs." These are divinely initiated wonders with a specific purpose: to authenticate God's power, presence, and word. They observed the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna, quails, and water from the rock.

• which I performed: Hebrew: 'asah (עָשָׂה) - "to make," "to do," "to perform." This word conveys God's active, direct, and deliberate execution of His will and power. It highlights divine agency.

• in Egypt: Referring to the ten plagues and the Exodus itself, profound demonstrations of God's power over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. These were not hidden acts but public, undeniable miracles.

• and in the wilderness: Encompasses the continuing miraculous provision (manna, quails, water), protection, and guidance (pillar of cloud/fire) throughout their journey from the Red Sea to Kadesh-barnea. This underscores the continuous nature of God's visible intervention.

• and yet have put Me to the test: Hebrew: nasah (נָסָה) - "to test," "to try," "to prove," "to tempt." This isn't merely a casual examination but a challenging of God's character, power, and faithfulness. It implies doubting His ability or willingness to provide or keep His promises, often manifested through murmuring, complaining, and disobeying. It implies skepticism despite overwhelming evidence.

• these ten times: While scholars debate if this is a literal count or a numeric symbol, the number 'ten' often denotes completeness or totality in Hebrew thought (e.g., Ten Commandments). Here, it emphasizes the consistent, repeated, and cumulative nature of their testing and rebellion. It was not an isolated incident but a persistent pattern of defiance.

• and have not obeyed My voice: Hebrew: shama' (שָׁמַע) - "to hear," "to listen," "to obey." This phrase highlights the fundamental issue: a lack of active, obedient listening to God's direct commands and guidance. Their spiritual deafness resulted in practical disobedience, despite having heard and witnessed God directly. It implies a conscious refusal of God's will.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "have seen My glory and My signs... which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness": This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled privilege and intimate revelation granted to this generation. They were direct witnesses to the living God's intervention, making their subsequent actions of disbelief profoundly culpable. Their sin was not from ignorance but from active rebellion against undeniable truth.
  • "and yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed My voice": This juxtaposes divine privilege with human obstinacy. "Yet" highlights the irrationality of their behavior. The "ten times" speaks to the depth and consistency of their rebellion, illustrating a settled disposition of unbelief. Their failure to "obey My voice" signifies a rejection of God's covenant relationship, which requires humble submission to His commands.

Numbers 14 22 Bonus section

The concept of "ten times" carries significant weight beyond a literal count; it speaks to the totality and egregious nature of their faithlessness. While not exhaustively enumerated, examples like Meribah (Ex 17:7), Massah, their murmuring for meat (Num 11:4), complaining about manna (Num 21:5), refusal to go into Canaan (Num 14:1-4), and several other instances cumulatively underscore a hardened heart. This repeated pattern grieved the Holy Spirit and profoundly offended the Lord. Their ultimate failure wasn't due to God's lack of power or provision, but their deliberate and persistent rejection of His word and His guiding presence. This generation was unique in its direct communion with God, but also unique in its pervasive failure of faith. The wilderness wandering then became a process of judgment and purgation, ensuring that a new generation, trained in obedience and shaped by humility, would inherit the promised land.

Numbers 14 22 Commentary

Numbers 14:22 serves as God's profound justification for His severe judgment upon the Israelites. This verse paints a picture of a people incredibly privileged—they were chosen to directly witness divine glory and miraculous intervention throughout their liberation from Egypt and sustained journey through the wilderness. These were not abstract concepts but tangible, daily demonstrations of God's power, care, and presence. Despite such unparalleled evidence, their response was one of consistent challenge and disobedience. The phrase "these ten times" underscores a pervasive, repeated pattern of testing God's faithfulness and challenging His authority, revealing a heart condition marked by stubborn unbelief rather than temporary weakness. Their sin was not merely fear, but a rooted spiritual rebellion: they did not "obey My voice." This lack of obedience, stemming from a lack of faith, severed their path to the promised land. It is a powerful lesson in accountability, illustrating that unique revelation demands a unique level of response.