CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 14:20 "I have pardoned them as you requested," the LORD replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/14-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/04_Num_14_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 14:20 - God's Forgiveness and Judgment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have pardoned them as you requested, the LORD replied." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/14-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/14-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/14.htm">Chapter 14</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/14-19.htm" title="Numbers 14:19">◄</a> Numbers 14:20 <a href="/numbers/14-21.htm" title="Numbers 14:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD replied, &#8220I have forgiven them, as you asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I will pardon them as you have requested.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have pardoned them as you requested,” the LORD replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said: “I have pardoned, according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the LORD said, “I have forgiven <i>them</i> in accordance with your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the LORD said, &#8220I have pardoned them according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the LORD said, “I have pardoned <i>them</i> according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Yahweh said, “I have pardoned <i>them</i> according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the LORD said, “I have pardoned <i>them</i> according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD responded, “I have pardoned them as you requested.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD responded, &#8220I have pardoned them as you requested. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah said, I have pardoned according to thy word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses: In answer to your prayer, I do forgive them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said, "I forgive them, as you have asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD answered, "I will forgive them, as you have asked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD responded, "I've forgiven them based on what you've said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?I have pardoned them as you requested,? the LORD replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, "I have forgiven them as you asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said, "I have pardoned according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said, “I have pardoned according to your word; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH says, “I have forgiven according to your word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah saith, 'I have forgiven, according to thy word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will say, I pardoned according to thy word:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said: I have forgiven according to thy word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord said: “I have forgiven them according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD answered: I pardon them as you have asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I do forgive, just as you have asked;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses, I have forgiven them according to your word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe: “I have forgiven them, according to your word.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD said: 'I have pardoned according to thy word'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said to Moses, I am gracious to them according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/14-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=4441" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/14.htm">God's Forgiveness and Judgment</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5545.htm" title="5545: sā·laḥ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To forgive, pardon. A primitive root; to forgive.">“I have pardoned them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kiḏ·ḇā·re·ḵā (Prep-k:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">as you requested,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>“Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8-10</a></span><br />The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. / He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. / He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a></span><br />They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-19</a></span><br />Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-9.htm">Daniel 9:9</a></span><br />To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/86-5.htm">Psalm 86:5</a></span><br />For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a></span><br />So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-3.htm">Psalm 130:3-4</a></span><br />If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? / But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a></span><br />For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Ephesians 1:7</a></span><br />In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13-14</a></span><br />He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, / in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to your word:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/14-19.htm">Pardoned</a> <a href="/numbers/14-15.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Pardoned</a> <a href="/numbers/14-30.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-1.htm">The people murmur at the news</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-6.htm">Joshua and Caleb labor to still them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">God threatens them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-13.htm">Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-26.htm">The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-36.htm">The men who raised the evil report die by a plague</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/14-40.htm">The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“I have pardoned them”</b><br>This phrase reflects God's willingness to forgive the Israelites despite their repeated disobedience and lack of faith. It highlights God's mercy and grace, which are central themes throughout the Bible. The concept of divine pardon is seen in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/103-12.htm">Psalm 103:12</a>, where God removes transgressions as far as the east is from the west. This act of forgiveness foreshadows the ultimate pardon through Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Him (<a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Ephesians 1:7</a>).<p><b>“as you requested,”</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the power and importance of intercessory prayer. Moses, acting as a mediator, pleads with God on behalf of the Israelites. This mirrors the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate intercessor for humanity (<a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a>). Moses' intercession is a type of Christ, showing how one righteous person can stand in the gap for others. The effectiveness of Moses' prayer also emphasizes the relationship between God and His chosen leaders, and how God listens to and honors the prayers of the faithful.<p><b>“the LORD replied.”</b><br>The use of "the LORD" here refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and unchanging nature. This response from God demonstrates His direct communication with Moses, a unique aspect of their relationship. It also reflects the biblical theme of God’s responsiveness to His people, as seen in other instances where God answers prayers, such as in <a href="/1_kings/18-37.htm">1 Kings 18:37-39</a> with Elijah. This interaction between God and Moses is part of the larger narrative of God's guidance and provision for Israel during their wilderness journey.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is both just and merciful. In this passage, He responds to Moses' intercession for the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who intercedes on behalf of the people after they rebel against God. His role as an intercessor is crucial in this account.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who have been delivered from Egypt but are now wandering in the wilderness. They have just expressed doubt and rebellion against God's promises.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_paran.htm">The Wilderness of Paran</a></b><br>The location where the Israelites are camped when they express their lack of faith in God's promise to bring them into the Promised Land.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rebellion.htm">The Rebellion</a></b><br>The event where the Israelites, upon hearing the report of the spies, refuse to enter the Promised Land and wish to return to Egypt, prompting God's anger.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intercession.htm">The Power of Intercession</a></b><br>Moses' intercession demonstrates the importance and power of praying for others. Believers are called to stand in the gap for those who have strayed or are in need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_justice.htm">God's Mercy and Justice</a></b><br>God's response to Moses shows His willingness to forgive, yet it also underscores His justice. While He pardons, there are still consequences for unbelief and rebellion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>The Israelites' failure to trust God serves as a warning. Believers today must hold fast to God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses exemplifies godly leadership by advocating for the people and seeking God's mercy. Leaders in the church are called to guide with compassion and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_unbelief.htm">The Consequences of Unbelief</a></b><br>The Israelites' rebellion resulted in a generation missing out on the Promised Land. This teaches the importance of faith and obedience in the Christian walk.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_tithing_necessary_for_christians.htm">Is tithing necessary for Christians?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_tithes,_offerings.htm">What does the Bible say about tithes and offerings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_grant_israel_a_king.htm">If God disapproved of Israel’s request for a king (1 Samuel 8:7), why did He still grant it? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'book_of_wars'_question_bible's_completeness.htm">Numbers 21:14 - Does the mention of the 'Book of the Wars of the LORD,' which is lost to history, raise doubts about the completeness or preservation of biblical texts?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">I have pardoned according to thy word.--</span>The holiness and justice of the Lord required that punishment should overtake the transgressors, as it had been foretold in <a href="/exodus/32-34.htm" title="Therefore now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you: behold, my Angel shall go before you: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin on them.">Exodus 32:34</a>. Nevertheless the prayer of Moses was heard and answered, and the people were not wholly exterminated.<p>(21, 22, 23) <span class= "bld">But as truly as I live . . . --</span>The three verses may be rendered as follows:--<span class= "ital">Nevertheless, as truly as I live, and all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of those men who have seen my glory and my signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and </span>(<span class= "ital">who</span>)<span class= "ital"> tempted me these ten times, and hearkened not unto my voice, shall see the land which I sware unto their fathers, </span>&c. Some have explained the words <span class= "ital">these ten times </span>by adding to the eight murmurings which are recorded--(1) at the Red Sea (<a href="/context/exodus/14-11.htm" title="And they said to Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? why have you dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?">Exodus 14:11-12</a>); (2) at Marah (<a href="/exodus/15-23.htm" title="And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.">Exodus 15:23</a>); (3) in the wilderness of Sin (<a href="/exodus/16-2.htm" title="And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:">Exodus 16:2</a>); (4) at Rephidim (<a href="/exodus/17-1.htm" title="And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.">Exodus 17:1</a>); (5) at Horeb (Exodus 32); (6) at Taberah (<a href="/numbers/11-1.htm" title="And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.">Numbers 11:1</a>); (7) at the graves of lust (<a href="/numbers/11-4.htm" title="And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?">Numbers 11:4</a>); and (8) at Kadesh (Numbers 14)--the transgressions of certain individuals--(1) in keeping the manna until the morning of the day after that on which it was gathered (<a href="/exodus/16-20.htm" title="Notwithstanding they listened not to Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.">Exodus 16:20</a>); and (2) in going out to gather the manna on the seventh day, when none fell (<a href="/exodus/16-27.htm" title="And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.">Exodus 16:27</a>). It is more probable, however, that the number <span class= "ital">ten </span>is used here, as elsewhere (comp. <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm" title="And your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.">Genesis 31:7</a>), as denoting a full measure. The persons to whom the penalty applied are specified in <a href="/numbers/14-29.htm" title="Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.">Numbers 14:29</a> : viz., those who were included in the first census. The principal exceptions to the threat of exclusion from the land of promise are specified in <a href="/context/numbers/14-30.htm" title="Doubtless you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.">Numbers 14:30-31</a> : viz., Joshua and Caleb, and the generation which had not reached twenty years of age at the exodus. The other exception, or exceptions, if such there were, belonged to the tribe of Levi, which was not included in the census which was first taken, nor represented by the spies. It has been inferred from the fact that Nadab and Abihu only went up into the mountain with Moses and Aaron, that Eleazar, who entered Canaan with Joshua (<a href="/joshua/14-1.htm" title="And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.">Joshua 14:1</a>), was under twenty years of age at the exodus. It may be observed that it does not follow that the regulation respecting the age of the Levites at the time of entering upon their service applied also to the priests, and consequently Eleazar <span class= "ital">may </span>have been under twenty years of age at the time of his consecration. (Comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/31-17.htm" title="Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;">2Chronicles 31:17</a>.) There seems, however, to be no sufficient authority for such a supposition. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I</span> <span class="cmt_word">have pardoned.</span> Whatever necessary exceptions and qualifications might remain to be afterwards declared, the great fact that he forgave the nation, and that the nation should not die, is announced without delay and without reservation (cf. <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a>). <span class="cmt_word">According to thy word.</span> Such power had God been pleased to give unto man, that at the intercession of the mediator a whole nation is delivered from imminent death and destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/14-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“I have pardoned them</span><br /><span class="heb">סָלַ֖חְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(sā·laḥ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5545.htm">Strong's 5545: </a> </span><span class="str2">To forgive, pardon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as you requested,”</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(kiḏ·ḇā·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/14-20.htm">Numbers 14:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/14-20.htm">OT Law: Numbers 14:20 Yahweh said I have pardoned according (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/14-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 14:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 14:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/14-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 14:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 14:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>