King James Version
What Does Numbers 32:15 Mean?
“For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.”
Numbers 32:15 · KJV
Context
13
And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
14
And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.
15
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
16
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17
But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryFor if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people—Moses warns that turning away (shuv, שׁוּב) from following God would result in God abandoning (yanach, יָנַח) Israel in the wilderness again. The verb "turn away" is the same word used for repentance when it means turning toward God—here it depicts apostasy, turning from God.
The consequences extend beyond personal judgment to corporate destruction: "ye shall destroy all this people." Individual covenant-breaking endangers the entire community. God would abandon the nation again, repeating the wilderness judgment. This demonstrates covenant solidarity—Israel stood or fell together. One tribe's faithlessness could nullify God's purposes for all tribes, just as Achan's sin brought defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). Moses's warning underscores that covenant privileges carry covenant responsibilities affecting the whole body.
The consequences extend beyond personal judgment to corporate destruction: "ye shall destroy all this people." Individual covenant-breaking endangers the entire community. God would abandon the nation again, repeating the wilderness judgment. This demonstrates covenant solidarity—Israel stood or fell together. One tribe's faithlessness could nullify God's purposes for all tribes, just as Achan's sin brought defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). Moses's warning underscores that covenant privileges carry covenant responsibilities affecting the whole body.
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Historical & Cultural Context
This warning proved prophetic in Israel's later history. The northern kingdom's apostasy under Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12) resulted in exile and destruction. Individual and tribal sins repeatedly brought national judgment. The principle of corporate covenant responsibility permeated Israel's theology—the community bore collective guilt for individual transgressions unless they dealt with sin decisively. This explains the severity of commands to purge evil from Israel (Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7).
Reflection Questions
- How does the principle of corporate covenant responsibility challenge modern individualism?
- In what ways can one believer's compromise threaten an entire church's spiritual health?
- What does Moses's warning teach about the far-reaching consequences of turning away from God's purposes?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 11 wordsכִּ֤י1 of 11
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תְשׁוּבֻן֙2 of 11
“For if ye turn away”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו3 of 11
“from after”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְיָסַ֣ף4 of 11
“him he will yet again”
H3254to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֔וֹד5 of 11
H5750properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר7 of 11
“them in the wilderness”
H4057a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְשִֽׁחַתֶּ֖ם8 of 11
“and ye shall destroy”
H7843to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
לְכָל9 of 11
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֥ם10 of 11
“all this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
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 32:15 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 32:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge