Psalm 106:24-27
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The real sting here isn't just that they didn't believe God's promise, but that their disbelief led them to actively despise the very land God described as desirable. They saw the "land of desire" not as a gift to be embraced with courage, but as a place too difficult to risk, preferring their familiar hardship in Egypt.
Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD. Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness, and would make their offspring fall among the nations, scattering them among the lands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites were given a glimpse of the promised land, a place flowing with milk and honey. However, after hearing the discouraging report from the spies, they turned away from this desirable inheritance, preferring their former bondage to the challenge of taking possession. Instead of trusting God's promise to conquer their enemies and grant them this rich land, they openly despised it.
Imagine standing at the doorway to your wildest dreams, a place overflowing with everything good. Now imagine turning your back on it. That’s the heart-wrenching picture painted here.
The Israelites were given a glimpse of Canaan, the 'land of desire,' a place God promised to give them, flowing with milk and honey. Yet, after hearing reports from spies, they despised it.
Why 'Despise'?
This wasn't just a casual dislike. It was a deep-seated rejection that led them to prefer their harsh bondage in Egypt over God's abundant provision. They saw the challenges – the giants, the walled cities – and decided the risk wasn't worth the reward, even though God Himself had guaranteed their victory. Their hearts were so set on the familiar hardship of Egypt that they couldn't embrace the promised blessing.
This spiritual blindness is a serious matter. It’s not just about missing out on a physical land; it’s about rejecting God’s faithfulness and His provision for our lives.
God offers an incredible promise, but what happens when we choose not to believe Him? The consequences are profound, shaping not just our present, but also our future.
The core issue in Psalm 106:24 is unbelief. The Israelites had seen God's mighty power: parting the Red Sea, providing water from rock, raining down manna. Yet, when faced with the challenge of entering the promised land, they didn't trust His word.
The Nature of Unbelief
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Understand the original words
ma'as · Hebrew Verb
To treat with contempt or lack of value; to regard as unworthy of interest or respect, often manifesting in the rejection of God's blessings or truth.
emunah · Hebrew Noun
A state of trusting reliance on God and His word; a foundational posture of the heart that acknowledges God’s truthfulness and sovereign ability.
ragan · Hebrew Verb
To express discontent, complain, or grumble, particularly against divine providence or God’s chosen leadership; it is frequently characterized by a lack of trust in God’s goodness.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel; the personal name of the Almighty who enters into relationship with His people.
nasa yado · Hebrew Verb phrase
An oath or solemn promise, often involving a gesture of lifting the hand toward God, signifying a binding commitment or a divine judgment that cannot be revoked.
zera · Hebrew Noun
The descendants or physical progeny of a person or a nation, often carrying the connotation of future generations or a collective legacy.
This verse highlights a critical moment where the Israelites, on the brink of possessing the land God promised them, turned away in fear and disbelief. Their rejection of Canaan stemmed not from its lack of beauty or resources, but from a deep-seated distrust in God's word and power.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously delivers the Israelites from Egypt under Moses' leadership, beginning their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
Spies Explore Canaan
Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land. Ten return with a negative report, emphasizing the giants and fortified cities, while Joshua and Caleb urge faithfulness to God's promise.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Israelites Refuse to Enter Canaan
The people believe the majority report, despise the 'pleasant land' as unattainable, and prefer returning to Egypt, demonstrating a profound lack of faith in God's promises and power.
c. 1445 BC
God Swears Judgment
In response to their disbelief and rebellion, God swears that the generation that left Egypt will not enter the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb.
c. 1405 BC
Generation Dies in Wilderness
The Israelites wander in the Sinai desert for 40 years, during which the entire generation that refused to enter Canaan dies off, fulfilling God's judgment.
This passage directly recounts the Israelites' reaction to the spies' report, showing how they 'despised the pleasant land' by preferring Egypt and desiring to return rather than trust God's promise.
Deuteronomy 1:26Here, Moses reminds the people of their rebellion, stating 'ye were rebellious against the command of the LORD your God.' This highlights the core issue of disobeying God's word, which stemmed from their disbelief.
Hebrews 3:16-19The New Testament author uses this event as a stark warning, connecting the Israelites' disbelief and failure to enter the promised land with the danger of 'an evil, unbelieving heart' turning away from the living God.
Joshua 1:9In contrast to the Israelites' unbelief, God's charge to Joshua emphasizes faith and courage. It's a powerful reminder of what it looks like to trust God's promise for entering a promised inheritance.
bensonPsalms 106:24: "Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:"
Psalm 106:24-27 . They despised the pleasant land — Canaan, which was so, not only in truth, but even by the relation of those spies, who discouraged them from entering into it. They preferred Egypt and their former bondage before it, Numbers 14:3-4 , and did not think it deserving of a little hazard and difficulty in taking possession of it. They believed not his word — His promise of giving them the land, and s…
wesleyPsalms 106:24: "Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:"
106:24 Despised - Preferring Egypt, and their former bondage, before it, Numb 14:3,4.
The real sting here isn't just that they didn't believe God's promise, but that their disbelief led them to actively despise the very land God described as desirable. They saw the "land of desire" not as a gift to be embraced with courage, but as a place too difficult to risk, preferring their familiar hardship in Egypt.
Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites were given a glimpse of the promised land, a place flowing with milk and honey. However, after hearing the discouraging report from the spies, they turned away from this desirable inheritance, preferring their former bondage to the challenge of taking possession. Instead of trusting God's promise to conquer their enemies and grant them this rich land, they openly despised it.
Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites were given a glimpse of the promised land, a place flowing with milk and honey. However, after hearing the discouraging report from the spies, they turned away from this desirable inheritance, preferring their former bondage to the challenge of taking possession. Instead of trusting God's promise to conquer their enemies and grant them this rich land, they openly despised it.
"Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD. Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall…" — The real sting here isn't just that they didn't believe God's promise, but that their disbelief led them to actively despise the very land God described as desirable. They saw the "land of desire…
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Last reviewed October 2026
