King James Version

What Does Numbers 14:33 Mean?

Numbers 14:33 in the King James Version says “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. wander: or, feed

Numbers 14:33 · KJV


Context

31

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

32

But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.

33

And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. wander: or, feed

34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year , shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. breach: or, altering of my purpose

35

I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel's response was flight and fear: 'all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them.' They feared lest 'the earth swallow us up also,' showing immediate recognition of God's power and their own vulnerability to judgment. This terror produced temporary reverence but not lasting faith, as subsequent rebellion (v. 41) proved.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The fleeing Israelites' cry and fear provided momentary sobriety, but within a day they again rebelled (16:41), showing that fear-based obedience doesn't produce heart transformation. Only grace creates genuine devotion.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is fear of judgment insufficient to produce lasting faith and obedience?
  2. How quickly do you forget God's demonstrated power when facing new temptations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם1 of 13

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

יִֽהְי֨וּ2 of 13
H1961

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

רֹעִ֤ים3 of 13

shall wander

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃4 of 13

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים5 of 13

forty

H705

forty

שָׁנָ֔ה6 of 13

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְנָֽשְׂא֖וּ7 of 13

and bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת8 of 13
H853

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

זְנֽוּתֵיכֶ֑ם9 of 13

your whoredoms

H2184

adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry

עַד10 of 13
H5704

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

תֹּ֥ם11 of 13

be wasted

H8552

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

פִּגְרֵיכֶ֖ם12 of 13

until your carcases

H6297

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃13 of 13

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Numbers 14:33 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 Numbers 14:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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