King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:39 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:39 in the King James Version says “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”

Deuteronomy 1:39 · KJV

Context

37

Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

38

But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

39

Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

40

But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

41

Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.

Read Deuteronomy 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children, originally cited as potential captives (Numbers 14:3), become the covenant heirs who 'shall go in thither.' Their innocence—'had no knowledge between good and evil'—doesn't imply sinlessness but rather lack of covenant accountability at Kadesh-barnea. God's promise to give them the land demonstrates that His purposes span generations. The Reformed doctrine of covenant succession appears: God's promises extend to believers' children, who receive the inheritance their parents forfeited through unbelief. This prefigures the New Covenant principle that God saves households (Acts 16:31).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Refers to all Israelites under age 20 at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14:29-31), approximately 600,000+ individuals who would enter Canaan 38 years later. This included future leaders like Joshua, who was exempt due to his faithful spy report. The phrase indicates these children, now adults, would conquer Canaan under Joshua's leadership circa 1406-1400 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to the children demonstrate His covenant faithfulness across generations?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's view of covenant children and their inclusion in redemptive promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְטַפְּכֶם֩1 of 19

“Moreover your little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲמַרְתֶּ֜ם3 of 19

“which ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָבַ֣ז4 of 19

“should be a prey”

H957

plunder

יִֽהְיֶ֗ה5 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם6 of 19

“and your children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא8 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדְע֤וּ9 of 19

“had no knowledge”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַיּוֹם֙10 of 19

“which in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

ט֣וֹב11 of 19

“between good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וָרָ֔ע12 of 19

“and evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הֵ֖מָּה13 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יָבֹ֣אוּ14 of 19

“they shall go in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֑מָּה15 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְלָהֶ֣ם16 of 19
H0
אֶתְּנֶ֔נָּה17 of 19

“thither and unto them will I give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וְהֵ֖ם18 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִֽירָשֽׁוּהָ׃19 of 19

“it and they shall possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 1:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 7:15-16Numbers 14:3Numbers 14:31Romans 9:11Jonah 4:11Ephesians 2:3

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 1 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes