Bible Strands
Numbers 14:20
“I have pardoned them as you requested,” the LORD replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Moses immediately after Moses interceded for the rebellious Israelites at Kadesh Barnea. God’s reply follows Moses’ specific plea for mercy in Numbers 14:19.
The words — סָלַחְתִּי (sa.Lach.ti) carries the literal sense “I have forgiven” or “I have pardoned.” כִּדְבָרֶךָ (ki/d.va.Re./kha) translates directly to “according to your word” or “as you requested.”
The thread — The concept of divine pardon appears in Micah 7:18, which questions who is like God in pardoning iniquity. The intercessory framework connects to Psalm 106:23, where Moses stands in the breach to divert wrath, and James 5:16, which ties confession and prayer to healing.
Why it lands — The text records God’s declaration of forgiveness without listing conditions or future consequences. It requires the reader to note that divine pardon is granted in direct response to intercession rather than as an unconditional guarantee.
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
And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
Cross-references
- Micah 7:18 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?
- Psalms 106:23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.
- James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.