Deuteronomy 1:37-38
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a profound truth: God's anger towards Moses wasn't for his own failing, but directly because of the people's sin, leading to his exclusion from the Promised Land alongside them. This reveals an unexpected concept of communal responsibility and how the actions of a group can even impact their leader's destiny.
Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is reminding the people of why they won't enter the Promised Land, explaining that their disbelief at Kadesh led to God's judgment not only on them, but also on him. He recounts that the sin that kept the people out also prevented him from entering, a consequence for his own reaction to their rebellion. This statement is a parenthetical reflection on a later event, clarifying the shared consequence of unbelief.
Why would God punish Moses, the faithful leader, for the people's sin? This verse reveals a surprising solidarity between the people and their leader, even in judgment.
Moses, speaking for God, reminds the Israelites of their rebellion. He explains that their collective disobedience led to a divine consequence that included him.
A Leader's Burden
This wasn't just about the people's failure to trust God to give them the land. Their actions created a situation where even Moses, who had faithfully led them and pleaded on their behalf, was also barred from entering the Promised Land. The Hebrew word used here for God's anger (hith'annaph) is strong, signifying a deep displeasure.
Divine Justice and Solidarity
While it seems harsh, it highlights a profound biblical concept: the interconnectedness of a community and its leaders. The people's unbelief was so significant that it impacted everyone, including Moses, who had previously interceded for them. God's judgment, while just, also accounted for the collective responsibility born out of shared experience and leadership.
This verse is more than just a statement of punishment; it's a reminder of how deeply sin can wound our relationship with God and affect the entire community.
The anger of the LORD mentioned here is a direct result of the Israelites' persistent unbelief. Their refusal to enter the Promised Land after the spies' discouraging report (Numbers 13) had far-reaching consequences.
Ask a follow-up
Rooted in Unbelief
God's decision to withhold the land from the entire generation was a judgment against their lack of faith. As Moses states earlier in Deuteronomy, 'you did not believe the LORD your God' (Deuteronomy 1:32). This foundational sin created a ripple effect.
Leadership and Collective Fate
The commentaries suggest that Moses' own prohibition from entering the land was a consequence of this same spirit of disbelief, perhaps compounded by his own actions at the waters of Meribah. It underscores that even leaders, who are called to model faith, are not immune when collective sin creates a climate where God's promised blessings are forfeited. The leader's failure, even if different in nature, can be intrinsically linked to the people's, leading to shared sorrow.
Understand the original words
anaph · Hebrew Verb
The state of being displeased or incensed by sin, rebellion, or covenant-breaking; in Scripture, God's anger is His holy, righteous reaction against evil, intended to lead His people to repentance or judgment.
chazaq · Hebrew Verb
An act of bolstering, strengthening, or making courageous, often used in commissioning someone for a difficult task or divine mission.
nachal · Hebrew Verb
To take possession of an estate or property, often denoting the portion given by God to His people as a covenantal right and blessing.
This verse highlights a moment of profound consequence where the collective sin of Israel directly impacts Moses' own destiny, demonstrating a deep sense of shared responsibility and the far-reaching effects of disobedience, even for leaders.
c. 1446 BC
Israel Exits Egypt
After centuries of slavery, the Israelites are miraculously delivered from Egypt under Moses' leadership, beginning their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
The Israelites refuse to enter the Promised Land after receiving discouraging reports from spies, leading to a divine sentence of 40 years of wandering.
c. 1407 BC— this verse
Moses Strikes the Rock
At Meribah, near Kadesh, Moses strikes a rock in anger instead of speaking to it as God commanded, a sin that seals his exclusion from the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Appointed Joshua as Successor
Moses publicly designates Joshua as the next leader of Israel, preparing for the transition of command.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Dies
Moses ascends Mount Nebo and dies at the age of 120, having seen the Promised Land but not entering it.
This passage directly describes the sin of striking the rock that led to Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land, highlighting the specific act of disobedience and unbelief that incurred God's wrath for him.
Psalm 106:32-33This psalm recounts the incident at Meribah where the people provoked the Lord, leading Moses to 'speak unadvisedly with his lips,' which is the event scholars often link to his punishment.
Deuteronomy 3:23-26Here, Moses himself recounts his plea to God to enter the Promised Land and God's firm refusal, directly echoing the sentiment of Deuteronomy 1:37 and showing Moses' personal distress over this consequence.
Numbers 14:20-23This passage shows God's anger with the Israelites for their unbelief after the spies' report, which is the foundational reason for their punishment and indirectly linked to Moses' own consequence as stated in Deuteronomy 1:37.
gillDeuteronomy 1:37: "Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither."
Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes,.... Not at the same time, though, as some think, at the same place, near thirty eight years afterwards, they provoking him to speak unadvisedly with his lips; see Numbers 20:10 , saying, thou shalt not go in thither: into the land of Canaan; and though he greatly importuned it, he could not prevail; see Deuteronomy 3:25.
wesleyDeuteronomy 1:37: "Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither."
1:37 For your sakes - Upon occasion of your wickedness and perverseness, by which you provoked me to speak unadvisedly.
The verse highlights a profound truth: God's anger towards Moses wasn't for his own failing, but directly because of the people's sin, leading to his exclusion from the Promised Land alongside them. This reveals an unexpected concept of communal responsibility and how the actions of a group can even impact their leader's destiny.
Moses is reminding the people of why they won't enter the Promised Land, explaining that their disbelief at Kadesh led to God's judgment not only on them, but also on him. He recounts that the sin that kept the people out also prevented him from entering, a consequence for his own reaction to their rebellion. This statement is a parenthetical reflection on a later event, clarifying the shared consequence of unbelief.
Moses is reminding the people of why they won't enter the Promised Land, explaining that their disbelief at Kadesh led to God's judgment not only on them, but also on him. He recounts that the sin that kept the people out also prevented him from entering, a consequence for his own reaction to their rebellion. This statement is a parenthetical reflection on a later event, clarifying the shared consequence of unbelief.
"Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it." — The verse highlights a profound truth: God's anger towards Moses wasn't for his own failing, but directly because of the people's sin, leading to his exclusion from the Promised Land alongside them.…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
