Numbers 14:20-23
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
God's "pardon" here isn't a free pass, but a constrained response to Moses' intercession. It means He won't utterly destroy them, a specific limitation stemming directly from Moses' plea, rather than a complete erasure of their deserved punishment.
Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the people's rebellion and their violent desire to stone the faithful spies, God's glory appeared, signifying His presence and intense displeasure. God then declared His intention to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, an action Moses urgently pleaded against, reminding God of His reputation among the nations. In response to Moses' intercession, God declares that He has shown mercy according to Moses' plea, though the full consequences of their rebellion are yet to unfold.
God's immediate, fierce judgment hangs in the balance, but then Moses steps in. What makes his plea so powerful?
The people of Israel had just experienced an incredible demonstration of God's power, yet they chose to doubt and rebel. Their actions deserved immediate destruction. However, Moses, acting as a mediator, stands 'in the breach' (Psalm 106:23). His prayer isn't just a request; it's a strategic appeal to God's own glory and character. Moses reminds God of His promises and how destroying Israel would be perceived by the surrounding nations. This highlights a profound truth: even in the face of grave sin, intercessory prayer, grounded in God's nature, can avert judgment and secure mercy.
God grants pardon, but the punishment doesn't disappear. How can mercy and judgment coexist?
The immediate response from God is 'I have pardoned.' Yet, this doesn't mean the consequences of sin vanish. The pardon is specifically 'so far as not utterly to destroy them' (Clarke). The people had tempted God 'ten times' (a figurative way of saying 'many times'). Because of their deep rebellion and lack of faith, the generation that left Egypt would not enter the promised land. God's mercy spares their lives in the wilderness, but His justice ensures that faithlessness has lasting repercussions. This shows that God's mercy is real and powerful, but it doesn't negate accountability for our choices.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and character; in this context, it refers to the undeniable demonstration of His power that commands universal recognition.
nasah · Hebrew Verb
To examine or try God's patience, often involving distrust or rebellion; it implies a challenging of God's character or promises after having witnessed His past faithfulness.
shama · Hebrew Verb
To hear, pay attention to, or comply with; in a biblical context, it implies active obedience to the revealed will and commands of God.
na'ats · Hebrew Verb
To treat with contempt or lack of respect; in a covenantal context, it signifies a rejection of God's holiness, authority, and the significance of His actions.
This verse, spoken immediately after the terrifying report of the spies and the people's subsequent rebellion, highlights God's incredible mercy. Despite the Israelites' persistent disbelief and outright defiance, Moses' intercession leads God to pardon them, not utterly destroying the entire nation as threatened. This pivotal moment underscores that even in the face of severe judgment, God's longsuffering and willingness to forgive, especially through a mediator, can dramatically alter the course of His people.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power through mighty signs and wonders.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God establishes His covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law and showing His presence through the Glory.
c. 1445 BC
Taberah and Kibroth-hattaavah
The Israelites grumble and rebel against God's provision and leadership, leading to divine judgment at Taberah ('burning') and Kibroth-hattaavah ('graves of craving').
c. 1445 BC
Spies Sent to Canaan
Moses sends twelve spies to scout the Promised Land, tasked with reporting on its inhabitants, land, and resources.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Report of the Spies
Ten of the twelve spies bring a terrifying, negative report, emphasizing the strength of the Canaanites and discouraging the people, while Caleb and Joshua urge faith.
c. 1445 BC
Rebellion and God's Judgment
The Israelites reject the positive counsel of Caleb and Joshua, threatening to stone them. God's glory appears, and He declares a judgment of 40 years wandering in the wilderness.
This passage shows God relenting from destruction due to Moses' intercession, mirroring the dynamic in Numbers 14 where God's judgment is turned back because of Moses' prayer.
Psalm 106:23The psalmist explicitly states that God would have destroyed Israel, 'had not Moses stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath.' This directly supports the understanding of God's pardon in Numbers 14:20 as a response to Moses' intervention.
Jeremiah 18:7-8This passage describes God's conditional judgment, stating that if a nation repents, God will relent from the disaster he planned. This principle is seen at work in Numbers 14, where God's judgment on Israel is mitigated due to Moses' intercession.
1 John 1:9This New Testament verse offers a promise of forgiveness when we confess our sins. It echoes the Old Testament principle seen in Numbers 14:20, where God's willingness to forgive is demonstrated, though with different consequences for the nation.
calvinNumbers 14:10-38: "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."
But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Tunc dixit tota multitudo, ut eos lapidibus obruerent: et gloria Jehovae apparuit in tabernaculo conventionis omnibus filiis Israel.
And the…
pooleNumbers 14:20: "And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:"
So far as not utterly to destroy them, as I threatened, Numbers 14:12 , and thou didst fear, and beg the prevention of it, Numbers 14:15 .
God's "pardon" here isn't a free pass, but a constrained response to Moses' intercession. It means He won't utterly destroy them, a specific limitation stemming directly from Moses' plea, rather than a complete erasure of their deserved punishment.
Following the people's rebellion and their violent desire to stone the faithful spies, God's glory appeared, signifying His presence and intense displeasure. God then declared His intention to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, an action Moses urgently pleaded against, reminding God of His reputation among the nations. In response to Moses' intercession, God declares that He has shown mercy according to Moses' plea, though the full consequences of their rebellion are yet to unfold.
Following the people's rebellion and their violent desire to stone the faithful spies, God's glory appeared, signifying His presence and intense displeasure. God then declared His intention to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, an action Moses urgently pleaded against, reminding God of His reputation among the nations. In response to Moses' intercession, God declares that He has shown mercy according to Moses' plea, though the full consequences of their rebellion are yet to unfold.
"Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wildern…" — God's "pardon" here isn't a free pass, but a constrained response to Moses' intercession. It means He won't utterly destroy them, a specific limitation stemming directly from Moses' plea, rather than…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
