King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:41 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:41 in the King James Version says “Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the L... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 1:41 · KJV


Context

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.

42

And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.

43

So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. went: Heb. ye were presumptuous, and went up


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel's presumptuous response—'We have sinned...we will go up and fight'—reveals superficial repentance and self-sufficiency. True repentance submits to God's declared will; false repentance tries to earn restoration through religious activity. The phrase 'ye were ready to go up' (Hebrew 'tahinnu') suggests reckless presumption. They had refused to advance in faith when God commanded; now they presume to advance after God forbade it. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine that genuine conversion involves submitting to God's sovereign timing, not manipulating circumstances through presumptuous works.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Occurred immediately after God's judgment at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14:39-45). Despite Moses' warning that the LORD was not with them, Israel presumed to attack the Amalekites and Canaanites dwelling in the hill country. This battle happened circa 1445 BC, shortly after the failed spy mission.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's presumptuous 'repentance' warn against trying to earn God's favor through self-directed religious activity?
  2. What does this verse teach about the importance of submitting to God's sovereign timing rather than presuming upon His grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ׀1 of 21

Then ye answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

וַתֹּֽאמְר֣וּ2 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֗י3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חָטָאנוּ֮4 of 21

unto me We have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

יְהוָ֣ה5 of 21

according to all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲנַ֤חְנוּ6 of 21
H587

we

לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת7 of 21

to go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּ8 of 21

and fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

כְּכֹ֥ל9 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 21
H834

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

צִוָּ֖נוּ11 of 21

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 21

according to all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ13 of 21

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּ14 of 21

us And when ye had girded

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

אִ֚ישׁ15 of 21

on every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת16 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּלֵ֣י17 of 21

his weapons

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ18 of 21

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ19 of 21

ye were ready

H1951

properly, to be naught, i.e., (figuratively) to be (causatively, act) light

לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת20 of 21

to go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָהָֽרָה׃21 of 21

into the hill

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)


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 1:41 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 1:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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