King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:23 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:23 in the King James Version says “Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye re...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.”

Deuteronomy 9:23 · KJV

Faith

Context

21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

22

And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.

23

Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.

24

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.

25

Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened unto his voice. The rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea represents Israel's decisive failure - when commanded to enter the Promised Land, they refused in unbelief. This sin cost an entire generation their inheritance.

The phrase possess the land which I have given you emphasizes the certainty of God's promise. The land was already theirs by divine decree; they needed only to take what God had granted. Their refusal demonstrated fundamental unbelief in God's word and power.

Three progressive failures are identified: ye rebelled (active disobedience), believed him not (lack of faith), and hearkened not (refused to hear). Unbelief manifests in rebellion, and rebellion stems from failure to believe God's promises. Hebrews 3-4 later expounds this incident as warning against hardening hearts through unbelief.

Reformed theology sees here the essential nature of faith - not mere intellectual assent but trusting obedience that acts on God's word. Saving faith always results in obedience; faith without works is dead.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Kadesh-Barnea rebellion occurred after the twelve spies returned from reconnoitering Canaan. Ten spies gave a negative report focusing on obstacles; only Joshua and Caleb urged faithful obedience. The people believed the fearful majority rather than God's promise.

As consequence, God decreed that generation would die in the wilderness. Only their children, along with Joshua and Caleb, would enter the Promised Land forty years later.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does unbelief manifest in practical disobedience to God's clear commands?
  2. What obstacles tempt you to doubt God's promises despite His proven faithfulness?
  3. Why is listening to faithless voices more natural than trusting God's word?
  4. How does the Kadesh rebellion illustrate the principle that unbelief excludes from rest (Hebrews 3-4)?
  5. What does it mean that God had already 'given' them the land before they possessed it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּבִשְׁלֹ֨חַ1 of 24

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָה֙2 of 24

“Likewise when the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֗ם3 of 24
H853

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

מִקָּדֵ֤שׁ4 of 24
H0
בַּרְנֵ֙עַ֙5 of 24

“you from Kadeshbarnea”

H6947

kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert

לֵאמֹ֔ר6 of 24

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֲלוּ֙7 of 24

“Go up”

H5927

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

וּרְשׁ֣וּ8 of 24

“and 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

אֶת9 of 24
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ10 of 24

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֖תִּי12 of 24

“which I have given”

H5414

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

לָכֶ֑ם13 of 24
H0
וַתַּמְר֗וּ14 of 24

“you then ye rebelled”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

אֶת15 of 24
H853

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

פִּ֤י16 of 24

“against the commandment”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְהוָה֙17 of 24

“Likewise when the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם18 of 24

“your 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

וְלֹ֤א19 of 24
H3808

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

הֶֽאֱמַנְתֶּם֙20 of 24

“and ye believed”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

ל֔וֹ21 of 24
H0
וְלֹ֥א22 of 24
H3808

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

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם23 of 24

“him not nor hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹלֽוֹ׃24 of 24

“to his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

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 9:23 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 9:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:24-25Hebrews 4:2Isaiah 63:10Psalms 78:22Numbers 14:10-41Deuteronomy 1:19-33

Places in This Verse

Kadesh-barneaSettlement · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E24 verses across 5 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 9 →

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