Numbers 14 32

Numbers 14:32 kjv

But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.

Numbers 14:32 nkjv

But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness.

Numbers 14:32 niv

But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness.

Numbers 14:32 esv

But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.

Numbers 14:32 nlt

But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness.

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 32 Meaning

Numbers 14:32 declares a severe divine judgment upon the rebellious generation of Israelites: their bodies, specifically their "carcasses" (corpses), would fall and remain unburied in the wilderness. This meant they would not inherit the Promised Land, marking a definitive end to their journey and life, a direct consequence of their profound disbelief and rebellion against God's command to enter Canaan.

Numbers 14 32 Context

Numbers chapter 14 describes the Israelites' ultimate failure of faith at Kadesh-Barnea. After the twelve spies reported on the Promised Land (Num 13), ten brought back an evil report filled with fear, exaggerating the challenges and failing to trust God's power. The people responded with widespread disbelief, rebellion, weeping, and even threatened to stone Moses and Aaron, wishing to return to Egypt rather than confront the land's inhabitants (Num 14:1-4). This profound act of rebellion provoked God's wrath, who initially threatened to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them (Num 14:12). Moses interceded, appealing to God's steadfast love and patience (Num 14:13-19). While God granted mercy by not destroying them instantly (Num 14:20), He pronounced a solemn oath: none of the men who had seen His glory and signs in Egypt and the wilderness, yet disobeyed Him ten times, would see the Promised Land (Num 14:21-23). Verses 26-35 detail this judgment, stating that all those twenty years old and upward who grumbled and disbelieved would perish in the wilderness, fulfilling the forty-year wandering (a year for each day the spies surveyed the land). Numbers 14:32 specifically addresses those rebellious adults.

Numbers 14 32 Word analysis

• But as for you (ואתם - v'atem): This Hebrew phrase uses the emphatic conjunctive particle 'waw' (ו) and the personal pronoun 'atem' (אתם), meaning "and you" or "but you." It serves as a strong contrasting statement, sharply distinguishing the rebellious adult generation from the younger generation who would inherit the land (mentioned in Num 14:31). It isolates and points directly at the recipients of the judgment, emphasizing their direct culpability.
• your carcasses (פגריכם - pigreikhem): Derived from the root פגר (pagar), meaning "to be weary, to leave a corpse." This term specifically refers to "dead bodies," "corpses," or "fallen bodies." It is a strong, visceral word, often used in contexts of death by judgment or disgrace, where bodies might be left unburied or treated contemptuously. It carries connotations of being an ignoble end, highlighting not just that they would die, but that their demise would be definitive, a clear mark of divine displeasure, with their bodies literally "falling" in a final, irreversible sense. It underscores a state of death as a consequence, distinct from a peaceful passing.
• shall fall (יפלו - yiplu): This is the Qal imperfect form of the verb נפל (naphal), meaning "to fall," "to lie prostrate," or "to fall down." The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing, continuous action or a certain future event. Here, it denotes the absolute certainty and inevitability of their death. The verb suggests a definitive "dropping" or "perishing" rather than a natural demise, reinforcing the idea of a judgment being executed upon them. It can also imply being overcome or overthrown, indicative of divine defeat.
• in this wilderness (במדבר הזה - bammidbar hazzeh): The preposition 'bet' (ב) meaning "in" or "at," combined with מדבר (midbar), "wilderness," and הזה (hazzeh), "this." This phrase precisely defines the location of their doom. The wilderness, intended as a journey to the land of promise, became their vast graveyard. This emphasizes the irony and severity of the judgment: the place where God had miraculously sustained them would become the place of their ignoble end, never fulfilling the purpose of their Exodus.

Words-group analysis:

• "But as for you, your carcasses shall fall": This phrase directly contrasts the rebellious generation with those who would enter the land. The use of "carcasses" underscores the shame and definitive nature of their end; it's a statement of physical and spiritual demise, a direct result of their profound unfaithfulness. The certainty of "shall fall" seals their fate.
• "in this wilderness": This defines the boundary of their existence and the site of their judgment. Their promised destination was denied, and the temporary place of testing became their permanent grave. This signifies that despite God's mighty acts of deliverance, their lack of faith confined them to the desolate place where they began, preventing them from experiencing the full inheritance of God's blessings.

Numbers 14 32 Bonus section

The fulfillment of this curse is extensively documented. The Book of Deuteronomy repeatedly recounts this judgment (e.g., Deut 2:16), serving as a crucial lesson for the new generation standing on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. By the time of the second census in Numbers 26:64-65, every individual accounted for in the first census, except for Caleb and Joshua, had indeed perished in the wilderness. This precise fulfillment demonstrates God's unswerving faithfulness to His declared word, whether in promise or in punishment. Furthermore, this event in Numbers became a foundational warning for future generations of Israel (e.g., Ps 78, 106) and for New Testament believers (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10, Hebrews 3-4), highlighting the grave dangers of unbelief and disobedience and encouraging unwavering faith in God's promises.

Numbers 14 32 Commentary

Numbers 14:32 is a chilling declaration, laying bare the ultimate consequence of Israel's grave sin of unbelief and rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. Instead of enjoying the promised land flowing with milk and honey, this entire generation, defined as those twenty years old and above who partook in the grumbling and refusal to trust YHWH, was condemned to perish. The term "carcasses" (פגריכם - pigreikhem) is intensely significant, portraying an ignoble, mass demise, underscoring not just death but a lack of burial and a sense of divine abandonment in their final moments, far from the blessing of their forefathers who were buried with honor. This judgment highlights that God's promises are conditional on faithfulness and that He holds His people accountable for their responses to His commands. The certainty of "shall fall" affirms that God's word, whether of blessing or judgment, will be perfectly executed. The forty-year wandering ensured that this specific generation fully decayed in "this wilderness," preparing a new generation that would inherit the land by faith. This verse stands as a stark biblical warning: disobedience, especially rooted in unbelief and a refusal to trust God's provision and power, carries severe and certain consequences, even to the denial of promised blessings.

• Practical Usage Example: When we choose comfort and doubt God's power over His clear command, we might find ourselves wandering aimlessly, never reaching the "promised land" God has for us, spiritually or physically. It serves as a reminder to trust and obey Him, even when the path seems difficult.