Bible Strands
Numbers 14:41
But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses speaks to the Israelites early the next morning as they independently rise and attempt to ascend toward the ridge of the hill country.
The words — עֹבְרִים ('oe.Rim) means "transgressing," and פִּי (pi) literally means "the mouth of," together forming the phrase "transgressing the commandment of the LORD."
The thread — The confrontation with self-willed action appears in 2 Chronicles 24:20, while the surrounding narrative in Numbers 14:25 and Numbers 14:42 frames the command to retreat and the warning that the LORD is not among them if they proceed.
Why it lands — The text states that unauthorized movement triggers failure, requiring the reader to recognize that obedience to divine timing outweighs human resolve.
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 Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
- Numbers 14:25 Now since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”
- Job 4:9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.
- Jeremiah 2:37 Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”
- Jeremiah 32:5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.’”