Deuteronomy 1:43
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The word "presumptuously" (which comes from a Hebrew word meaning to "boil over" or "act impulsively") really captures the heart of their rebellion. It wasn't just a simple mistake; they acted out of their own pride and passion, fueled by their earlier sin, instead of waiting on God's timing and power.
So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the Israelites were warned not to attack the hill country, they defiantly rejected Moses's words and God's command. Impulsively and with rebellious pride, they attempted to ascend the mountain on their own, only to be routed by the Amorites and forced to retreat in defeat. Their subsequent weeping before the Lord brought no change in their fortunes, leaving them to languish in Kadesh for a long time.
Have you ever felt sure you were doing the right thing, only to find out you were heading the wrong way? The Israelites did just that.
The Israelites, after being told by God they couldn't go into the Promised Land, decided they knew better. They said, 'We have sinned... we will go up and fight.' This sounds like repentance, right? But it wasn't.
A False Start
There's a huge difference between bold faith and foolish presumption. The Israelites learned this the hard way.
The word used for their action – 'presumptuously' – carries a powerful meaning. It's not just about being confident; it's about acting with arrogant self-will, like a 'boiled over' pot of anger or impulsive passion.
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What 'Presumptuously' Looks Like:
Understand the original words
marah · Hebrew Verb
The active, willful refusal to submit to God’s known authority. It is a posture of defiance that rejects God's sovereignty and wisdom.
zid · Hebrew Verb/Adverbial
Acting with insolence, arrogance, or pride by presuming to perform an act without God's authorization. It involves elevating one's own will above God’s express command.
This verse highlights a moment of tragic, repeated rebellion. After a similar failure decades earlier (Numbers 14), this generation, facing the end of their wilderness wandering, again chose disobedience and presumption over God's command and presence, leading to a swift and decisive defeat.
~1446 BC
Israelites Leave Mount Sinai
After receiving the Law and instructions for the Tabernacle, the Israelites departed from Mount Sinai, beginning their journey toward the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
Spies Sent from Kadesh-barnea
The Israelites reached Kadesh-barnea, on the southern border of Canaan, and sent spies into the land. Most of the spies brought back a negative report, sowing fear and discontent.
c. 1445 BC
Israelites Refuse to Enter the Land
Spurred by the fearful report, the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses, refusing to enter the Promised Land. God pronounced judgment, condemning that generation to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Attempted Invasion of the Hill Country
Decades later, near the end of their wilderness wanderings, a chastened but still impatient generation attempted to invade the Promised Land's hill country without God's command or presence, resulting in their defeat by the Amorites.
c. 1405 BC
Wandering Continues Around Kadesh
Following their defeat, the Israelites remained in the vicinity of Kadesh for an extended period, facing further challenges and divine discipline.
This passage describes the same event, showing how the Israelites attempted to go up into the hill country against God's command and were subsequently defeated by the Amorites.
Joshua 1:9This verse encourages courage and strength, contrasting with the Israelites' presumptuous action in Deuteronomy 1:43 which was driven by fear and disobedience rather than faith.
Hebrews 3:12-13This New Testament passage directly warns against the sin of disobedience and rebellion exemplified by the Israelites in Deuteronomy 1:43, urging believers not to harden their hearts.
1 Samuel 15:22-23Here, Samuel rebukes Saul for disobedience, highlighting that rebellion against God's command is akin to the sin of idolatry, a parallel to the Israelites' defiance in Deuteronomy.
gillDeuteronomy 1:43: "So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill."
So I spake unto you,.... The words, the orders he had received from the Lord to deliver to them: and ye would not hear; so as to obey them, and act according to them: but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord: as before, by not going up when he would have had them gone, and now by attempting it when he forbid them: and went presumptuo…
calvinDeuteronomy 1:41-46: "Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill."
- Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into th…
The word "presumptuously" (which comes from a Hebrew word meaning to "boil over" or "act impulsively") really captures the heart of their rebellion. It wasn't just a simple mistake; they acted out of their own pride and passion, fueled by their earlier sin, instead of waiting on God's timing and power.
After the Israelites were warned not to attack the hill country, they defiantly rejected Moses's words and God's command. Impulsively and with rebellious pride, they attempted to ascend the mountain on their own, only to be routed by the Amorites and forced to retreat in defeat. Their subsequent weeping before the Lord brought no change in their fortunes, leaving them to languish in Kadesh for a long time.
After the Israelites were warned not to attack the hill country, they defiantly rejected Moses's words and God's command. Impulsively and with rebellious pride, they attempted to ascend the mountain on their own, only to be routed by the Amorites and forced to retreat in defeat. Their subsequent weeping before the Lord brought no change in their fortunes, leaving them to languish in Kadesh for a long time.
"So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country." — The word "presumptuously" (which comes from a Hebrew word meaning to "boil over" or "act impulsively") really captures the heart of their rebellion. It wasn't just a simple mistake; they acted out of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
