Numbers 14:16
New International Version
The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

New Living Translation
‘The LORD was not able to bring them into the land he swore to give them, so he killed them in the wilderness.’

English Standard Version
‘It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.’

Berean Standard Bible
‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

King James Bible
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

New King James Version
‘Because the LORD was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.’

New American Standard Bible
‘Since the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

NASB 1995
‘Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

NASB 1977
‘Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which He swore to them, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

Amplified Bible
‘Because the LORD was not able to bring these people into the land which He promised to give them, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

Christian Standard Bible
‘Since the LORD wasn’t able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them, he has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since the LORD wasn’t able to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’”

American Standard Version
Because Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

English Revised Version
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'The LORD wasn't able to bring these people into the land he promised them, so he slaughtered them in the desert.'

Good News Translation
that you killed your people in the wilderness because you were not able to bring them into the land you promised to give them.

International Standard Version
The LORD slaughtered this people in the wilderness because he wasn't able to bring them to the land that he promised them.'

Majority Standard Bible
‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

NET Bible
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to them, he killed them in the wilderness.'

New Heart English Bible
'Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

World English Bible
‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From YHWH’s want of ability to bring in this people to the land which He has sworn to them, He slaughters them in the wilderness.

Young's Literal Translation
From Jehovah's want of ability to bring in this people unto the land which He hath sworn to them -- He doth slaughter them in the wilderness.

Smith's Literal Translation
Because Jehovah will not be able to bring in this people to the land which he sware to them, he will slay them in the desert.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He could not bring the people into the land for which he had sworn, therefore did he kill them in the wilderness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
‘He was not able to lead the people into the land about which he had sworn. Therefore, he slew them in the wilderness.’

New American Bible
‘The LORD was not able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them; that is why he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

New Revised Standard Version
‘It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them that he has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
‘Because LORD JEHOVAH was not able to bring in the people to the land that He swore to them, because of this, He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which He swore unto them, therefore He hath slain them in the wilderness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which he sware to them, he has overthrown them in the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Intercedes for the People
15If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, 16‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ 17So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared:…

Cross References
Exodus 32:12
Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.

Deuteronomy 9:28
Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’

Joshua 7:9
When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Deuteronomy 32:27
if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this.’”

Isaiah 48:9
For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off.

Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 36:22
Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went.

1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

2 Kings 19:19
And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Psalm 78:38
And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.

Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.

Isaiah 37:20
And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”


Treasury of Scripture

Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 9:28
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 32:26,27
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: …

Joshua 7:9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

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Ability Able Desert Destruction Jehovah's Promised Slain Slaughter Slaughtered Sware Swore Sworn Want Waste Wilderness
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Ability Able Desert Destruction Jehovah's Promised Slain Slaughter Slaughtered Sware Swore Sworn Want Waste Wilderness
Numbers 14
1. The people murmur at the news
6. Joshua and Caleb labor to still them
11. God threatens them
13. Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon
26. The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land
36. The men who raised the evil report die by a plague
40. The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten














Because the LORD was not able
This phrase reflects the perception of the surrounding nations regarding the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel. The Hebrew root for "able" is "yakhol," which implies capability or power. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a god's power was often judged by the success of its people. The Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land would be seen as a reflection on Yahweh's power, challenging His reputation among the nations. This highlights the importance of God's name and His ability to fulfill His promises, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

to bring this people
The phrase "to bring" comes from the Hebrew "bo," which means to come or to go. It signifies movement and transition, in this case, the transition from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. This journey is not just physical but spiritual, representing God's redemptive plan for His people. The "people" refers to the Israelites, God's chosen nation, whom He has set apart for His purposes. This underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing His commitment to their destiny.

into the land
The "land" refers to Canaan, the Promised Land, a central theme in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word "eretz" is used here, which can mean land, earth, or territory. This land was promised to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8). It symbolizes God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. The land is not just a physical territory but a place where God's people can live under His rule and blessing, a foretaste of the ultimate rest and inheritance believers have in Christ.

He had sworn to give them
The phrase "He had sworn" is rooted in the Hebrew "shaba," meaning to swear or make an oath. This reflects the seriousness and unchangeable nature of God's promises. God's oath to give the land to the Israelites is a testament to His unchanging character and faithfulness. The concept of God swearing an oath is significant, as it assures His people of His unwavering commitment to His word. This promise is a cornerstone of Israel's hope and identity, reminding believers today of the certainty of God's promises.

He will kill them in the wilderness
The wilderness, or "midbar" in Hebrew, represents a place of testing and judgment. It is where the Israelites wandered for forty years due to their unbelief and rebellion. The wilderness experience is a powerful metaphor for the trials and refining processes believers undergo. The phrase "He will kill them" reflects the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith. It serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and justice, as well as the importance of trusting in His promises. This narrative encourages believers to remain faithful and obedient, trusting in God's provision and guidance.

Verse 16. - Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land. Moral or religious difficulties could not be comprehended by those heathen nations as standing in the way of God's purposes. Physical hindrances were the only ones they could understand; and they would certainly infer that if he slew the Israelites in the wilderness, it could only be in order to cover his own defeat and failure before the rival deities of Palestine.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘Because the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was unable
יְכֹ֣לֶת (yə·ḵō·leṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to bring
לְהָבִיא֙ (lə·hā·ḇî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the land
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

He swore to give them,
נִשְׁבַּ֣ע (niš·ba‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

He has slaughtered
וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם (way·yiš·ḥā·ṭêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

them in the wilderness.’
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech


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OT Law: Numbers 14:16 Because Yahweh was not able to bring (Nu Num.)
Numbers 14:15
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