Numbers 14 30

Numbers 14:30 kjv

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 14:30 nkjv

Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.

Numbers 14:30 niv

Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

Numbers 14:30 esv

not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 14:30 nlt

You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 30 Meaning

Numbers 14:30 declares God's solemn oath and judgment against the rebellious generation of Israelites in the wilderness. Due to their unbelief and disobedience, manifested by their refusal to enter the Promised Land, none of them, with the explicit exception of Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun, would ever enter the land God swore to give their forefathers. This marks a pivotal moment of divine punishment for their lack of faith.

Numbers 14 30 Context

Numbers chapter 14 describes the direct consequence of Israel's lack of faith following the reconnaissance mission to Canaan. Ten of the twelve spies gave a fearful report, highlighting the strength of the land's inhabitants, despite acknowledging its fruitfulness (Num 13:28, 32). This caused the people to weep, grumble against the Lord and Moses, and express a desire to return to Egypt (Num 14:1-4). They even threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies who urged them to trust God (Num 14:6-10).

In response, the Lord threatened to disinherit Israel and make a great nation from Moses (Num 14:11-12). Moses interceded passionately for the people, appealing to God's glory and steadfast love (Num 14:13-19). The Lord forgave the people's immediate destruction but decreed that, because of their repeated testing and unbelief (Num 14:22), the adult generation (excluding Caleb and Joshua) would not enter the Promised Land (Num 14:23). Numbers 14:30 solidifies this judgment, reiterating the exact details of the oath. This marked the beginning of Israel's 40-year wilderness wandering, where the condemned generation would die off before the next generation could enter the land. This event highlights the severe consequences of rebellion and unbelief against God's divine will and promise.

Numbers 14 30 Word analysis

• "Surely" (אִם֙ לֹא, im lo): This is a strong Hebrew negative oath formula. It functions like "If not X, then Y," implying "certainly Y." In this context, "Surely you shall not" carries the force of a divine oath that guarantees exclusion, an unalterable decree from God Himself. It conveys absolute certainty and the binding nature of the divine judgment.

• "you": Refers specifically to the adult generation of Israelites who were twenty years old and older at the time of the census in Numbers 1 and who showed unbelief and rebellion against God's command to enter the land (Num 14:29). This excludes children and those below twenty years of age, who would be led by Joshua into the land.

• "shall not come": An emphatic prohibition, meaning "will absolutely not enter." This is not a possibility but a certain outcome due to divine decree. It signifies complete and irreversible exclusion from the Promised Land for that generation.

• "into the land": Refers specifically to Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey (Exod 3:8), which God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7; 26:3; 28:13) and had reiterated to Moses as Israel's inheritance. It represents the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises to Israel.

• "concerning which I swore": This phrase emphasizes the solemn, covenantal oath God had made with the patriarchs and subsequently to the nation of Israel. God's oath signifies His absolute commitment and faithfulness to His word (Psa 89:34-35). Breaking this oath, even by the beneficiaries, carries severe consequences because it reflects contempt for God's holy commitment.

• "to give you a dwelling place": This phrase refers to God's gracious provision of a secure and permanent home for His people. It signifies not just possession of land but rest, stability, and settlement where they could worship Him without fear, fulfilling His promise of inheritance (Deut 1:35). The judgment meant this specific generation would never experience this divine rest.

• "except": This marks a clear, specific exemption from the general judgment. It highlights God's justice in separating the faithful from the unfaithful, and His rewarding of obedience and trust.

• "Caleb the son of Jephunneh": Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, distinguished himself through unwavering faith and loyalty to God (Num 14:6-9; 13:30). He alone, besides Joshua, gave a positive report, urging the people to trust God and go up to conquer the land (Num 13:30). His full-hearted following of the Lord earned him a special promise and inheritance (Josh 14:9).

• "and Joshua the son of Nun": Joshua, from the tribe of Ephraim, was Moses' dedicated servant (Exod 33:11) and later his divinely appointed successor (Num 27:18-23). He shared Caleb's unwavering faith and confidence in God's power (Num 14:6-9). He was God's chosen instrument to lead the next generation into the Promised Land and distribute it as an inheritance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Surely you shall not come": This declarative statement of exclusion is bound by a divine oath, making the judgment irreversible for the majority of the rebellious generation. It demonstrates the direct consequence of unbelief in the face of God's command and promise.
  • "concerning which I swore to give you a dwelling place": This juxtaposition highlights the paradox: God's sworn promise was certain, yet their entry was denied due to their actions. It underscores divine faithfulness in keeping the covenant versus human failure to meet covenantal requirements of faith and obedience. The "dwelling place" emphasizes God's ultimate desire for His people's blessed rest, which they forfeited.
  • "except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun": This exception clause beautifully showcases God's justice and grace. It singles out two individuals whose complete faith and obedience stood in stark contrast to the rest of the nation. Their lives served as a testament that faith in God's promise leads to blessing and entrance into His rest, even when all others falter. This highlights God's reward for those who wholly follow Him.

Numbers 14 30 Bonus section

This divine judgment established a principle of spiritual consequence for unbelief, not merely physical. The Book of Hebrews later interprets this event as a warning against failing to enter "God's rest," which transcends the geographical land of Canaan to encompass salvation and the peaceful, obedient life found in Christ (Heb 4:1-11). The rejection of the Promised Land by the rebellious generation served as a type or shadow for those who, despite hearing the gospel, fail to enter into the spiritual rest offered by faith in Jesus. Their failure was due to a hardened heart and disobedience, directly paralleling how unbelief prevents entry into God's ultimate salvation.

Furthermore, God's decree, while punishing, simultaneously demonstrated His perfect justice and unswerving covenant fidelity. Even in judgment, the specific exemption of Caleb and Joshua showcased His nuanced application of justice, where individual merit, based on faith and obedience, superseded the collective guilt of the multitude. This distinction underlines God's character as One who sees and rewards genuine devotion, offering hope that personal faith can transcend prevailing unbelief. This also subtly affirms divine sovereignty; though His promises seemed to be thwarted by human rebellion, His ultimate purpose prevailed through a new generation and faithful leaders.

Numbers 14 30 Commentary

Numbers 14:30 is a climactic declaration of divine judgment against Israel's rebellion and unbelief in the wilderness. It underscores a fundamental biblical principle: while God's promises are steadfast, their fulfillment for individuals or generations can be conditioned upon faith and obedience. The phrase "Surely you shall not come" rooted in a divine oath, signals the absolute finality of this decree. God's intention was to give them a "dwelling place," symbolizing peace, security, and the fulfillment of His covenant with their forefathers. Yet, their repeated provocation, grumbling, and rejection of His command—amounting to a spurning of the land God provided—forfeited their direct entrance.

The significance of this verse extends beyond the immediate historical event. It is a stark lesson for all generations about the consequences of an "evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12) that departs from the living God. The wilderness generation failed to trust God's power to overcome obstacles, looking at the giants rather than the giant-slayer. This lack of faith ultimately denied them the physical "rest" of Canaan, serving as a powerful warning against disobedience. However, God's faithfulness remains constant: He does not violate His own sworn promise. He still brings a people into the land, but the generation that showed contempt for His oath was replaced by one that would walk in greater obedience under Joshua. The steadfastness of Caleb and Joshua, who "wholly followed the Lord" (Num 14:24), exemplifies the type of faith that God honors and rewards, allowing them to enter and receive their inheritance. This divine election for faithfulness showcases that individual righteousness can overcome collective apostasy.

• Example 1: Just as the Israelites saw obstacles and lacked faith, believers today might face challenges and doubt God's promises, leading to a spiritual "wilderness" of missed blessings.
• Example 2: Caleb and Joshua's faithful pursuit of God's will serves as a reminder that personal conviction and obedience, even when unpopular, are highly valued by God and bring unique blessings.