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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "these ten times" isn't a literal count, but God's way of expressing that their repeated disobedience and testing of Him had reached a breaking point. It highlights the profound tragedy that after witnessing so many undeniable demonstrations of His power and faithfulness, they still chose to doubt and rebel.
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the spies' terrifying report of the land and the people's subsequent panic and rebellion, God's glory appears, and He declares His intention to strike them with plague and disinherit them. Moses intercedes, appealing to God's mercy and reputation among the nations, leading God to pardon the immediate destruction of the congregation. However, God swears that the generation who have seen His glory and signs yet repeatedly tested and disobeyed Him will not enter the promised land.
Imagine seeing God's power firsthand, yet still refusing to trust Him. This verse highlights a profound disconnect between divine revelation and human response.
The core of God's lament here is not that Israel was ignorant of His power, but that they saw it and still rebelled.
A Witness to Glory
God’s “glory” and “signs” refer to the awe-inspiring manifestations of His presence and power: the pillar of cloud and fire, the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and provision in the wilderness. These weren't abstract concepts; they were tangible, visible events.
Ten Times Tested
The phrase “ten times” isn't necessarily a literal count but emphasizes a pattern of repeated defiance. Each instance of testing and disobedience eroded their trust and hardened their hearts. Despite overwhelming evidence of God's might and faithfulness, they continually chose doubt over obedience.
This pattern shows that seeing God’s works is not automatically equivalent to believing Him. True faith requires a willing heart, not just witnessing miracles.
What does it truly cost when we choose not to obey God, especially after experiencing His goodness?
This verse lays bare the devastating consequences of prolonged unbelief and disobedience. God’s declaration is not capricious; it's a just response to a people who repeatedly rejected His authority.
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A Missed Inheritance
The immediate consequence, as detailed in the surrounding verses, is the forfeiture of the promised land. This land represented not just a physical dwelling place but God's blessing, provision, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. Their repeated testing and disobedience meant they would not enter this inheritance.
God's Perspective
God's statement emphasizes that their actions were a direct affront to Him. They didn't just fail to obey; they actively tempted Him and disobeyed His voice. This reveals the seriousness with which God views human defiance, especially from those He has demonstrably loved and delivered.
Understand the original words
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.
This verse highlights a critical turning point where years of seeing God's 'glory and signs' in Egypt and the wilderness culminated in a direct rebellion. The 'ten times' is not a literal count but signifies their repeated testing and disobedience, showing how a pattern of unbelief hardens the heart.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, displaying His power and glory through ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
Following Exodus
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
The Israelites begin their journey into the wilderness after their miraculous exodus. They soon begin to murmur and test God's provision and leadership.
~1445 BC
Tabernacle Established
God's glory appears in the Tabernacle, a central place of worship and divine presence, serving as a constant reminder of His presence among the people.
~1445 BC— this verse
Conquest of Canaan Attempted
The Israelites send spies into Canaan. Upon their return with a negative report, the people rebel against God's command to enter and possess the land.
~1445 BC
Divine Judgment Declared
In response to their rebellion, God declares that the generation that came out of Egypt will not enter the Promised Land, with their carcasses falling in the wilderness.
~1445 BC
Punishment for Spies
The ten spies who brought the slanderous report die by plague before the Lord, serving as an immediate consequence for their actions.
~1405 BC
Entry into Promised Land
Forty years after the judgment, the new generation, led by Joshua and Caleb, finally enters and begins the conquest of the Promised Land.
This psalm directly echoes the sentiment of Numbers 14, warning against hardening hearts and provoking God, just as the Israelites did, leading to their exclusion from rest.
Hebrews 3:7-19The author of Hebrews explicitly uses the failure of the Israelites in the wilderness as a cautionary tale, highlighting their repeated disobedience and unbelief as reasons they did not enter God's promised rest.
John 3:16While Numbers 14 describes the consequence of persistent disbelief, John 3:16 presents the counterpoint: God's immense love in providing a Savior, offering salvation to all who believe, directly contrasting the fate of those who rejected God's provision.
Deuteronomy 1:34-36This passage from Moses' final address reiterates the judgment pronounced in Numbers 14, specifically stating that only Caleb and Joshua, who had a different spirit, would enter the promised land, emphasizing the severe consequences of the people's rebellion.
1 Corinthians 10:1-11Paul uses the events in the wilderness, including the Israelites seeing God's glory and signs but still falling into sin and being destroyed, as examples to warn the Corinthian church against similar temptations and disobedience.
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…
pulpitNumbers 14:22: "Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;"
Verse 22. - Because all those men. The particle כִּי is not to be rendered "because;" it simply introduces the substance of the oath: "As I live... all those men... shall not see." So the Septuagint. And have tempted me now these ten times. It is not in the least necessary to press this expres…
The phrase "these ten times" isn't a literal count, but God's way of expressing that their repeated disobedience and testing of Him had reached a breaking point. It highlights the profound tragedy that after witnessing so many undeniable demonstrations of His power and faithfulness, they still chose to doubt and rebel.
Following the spies' terrifying report of the land and the people's subsequent panic and rebellion, God's glory appears, and He declares His intention to strike them with plague and disinherit them. Moses intercedes, appealing to God's mercy and reputation among the nations, leading God to pardon the immediate destruction of the congregation. However, God swears that the generation who have seen His glory and signs yet repeatedly tested and disobeyed Him will not enter the promised land.
Following the spies' terrifying report of the land and the people's subsequent panic and rebellion, God's glory appears, and He declares His intention to strike them with plague and disinherit them. Moses intercedes, appealing to God's mercy and reputation among the nations, leading God to pardon the immediate destruction of the congregation. However, God swears that the generation who have seen His glory and signs yet repeatedly tested and disobeyed Him will not enter the promised land.
"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," — The phrase "these ten times" isn't a literal count, but God's way of expressing that their repeated disobedience and testing of Him had reached a breaking point. It highlights the profound tragedy th…
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Last reviewed October 2026