King James Version
Numbers 14:16 in the King James Version says “Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Numbers 14:16 · KJV
And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
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.
And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
The LORD is longsuffering , and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“was not”
H1115properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
“Because the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“which he sware”
H7650to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
“unto them therefore he hath slain”
H7819to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
“them in the wilderness”
H4057a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 14:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 14:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge