King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 2:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 2:14 in the King James Version says “And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; u... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. brook: or, valley

Deuteronomy 2:14 · KJV


Context

12

The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them. succeeded: Heb. inherited stead: or, room

13

Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. brook: or, valley

14

And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. brook: or, valley

15

For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

16

So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The time marker 'the space of thirty and eight years' from Kadesh-barnea to crossing Zered documents the period of wilderness wandering. The sobering fulfillment 'until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host' shows God's judgment was complete and precise. The phrase 'as the LORD sware unto them' confirms God keeps both promises and warnings—His word is reliable for blessing and judgment alike.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This 38-year period (plus the initial 2 years from Egypt to Kadesh) completed the 40-year judgment pronounced in Numbers 14:33-34. The entire generation of fighting men (age 20+) who left Egypt died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb. This demonstrates both God's justice in judging rebellion and His faithfulness in preserving a remnant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness in fulfilling warnings demonstrate His trustworthiness in promises?
  2. What consequences of past disobedience are you living with while trusting God for future grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְהַיָּמִ֞ים1 of 26

And the space

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

אֲשֶׁר2 of 26
H834

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

הָלַ֣כְנוּ׀3 of 26

in which we came

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מִקָּדֵ֣שׁ4 of 26
H0
בַּרְנֵ֗עַ5 of 26

from Kadeshbarnea

H6947

kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert

עַ֤ד6 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר7 of 26
H834

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

עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙8 of 26

until we were come over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת9 of 26
H853

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

נַ֣חַל10 of 26

the brook

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

זֶ֔רֶד11 of 26

Zered

H2218

zered, a brook east of the dead sea

שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים12 of 26

was thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה13 of 26

and eight

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

שָׁנָ֑ה14 of 26

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עַד15 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

תֹּ֨ם16 of 26

were wasted out

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

כָּל17 of 26
H3605

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

הַדּ֜וֹר18 of 26

until all the generation

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

אַנְשֵׁ֤י19 of 26
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)

הַמִּלְחָמָה֙20 of 26

of war

H4421

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

מִקֶּ֣רֶב21 of 26

from among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה22 of 26

the host

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר23 of 26
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֥ע24 of 26

sware

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְהוָ֖ה25 of 26

as the LORD

H3068

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

לָהֶֽם׃26 of 26
H0

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 2:14 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 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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