Bible Strands
Numbers 14:19
Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they reject the Promised Land, appealing directly to God’s established character and past mercies. He asks for mercy on the basis of what God has already demonstrated rather than human worthiness.
The words — The plea hinges on סְלַֽח (se.lach) meaning "forgive" and חַסְדֶּךָ (chas.de.kha) meaning "your covenant loyalty." The phrase כְּגֹדֶל חַסְדֶּךָ (ke.go.del chas.de.kha) literally translates to "according to the greatness of your covenant loyalty."
The thread — The appeal to covenant loyalty as the foundation for pardon echoes the theological pattern in Exodus 34:9, Psalm 78:38, and Psalm 106:45. These texts consistently tie divine forbearance to God's steadfast character rather than to the people's actions.
Why it lands — The text demands that intercession be grounded in God's revealed nature and historical faithfulness. It requires the reader to measure requests for mercy against what God has already done, not against personal merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
Cross-references
- Exodus 34:9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
- Psalms 78:38 And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.
- Psalms 106:45 And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.
- Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
- Psalms 51:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.
- Jonah 4:2 So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.
- Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
- Exodus 33:17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
- 1 Kings 8:34 then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers.
- Psalms 106:7 Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.