Old Testament
Numbers 14:32
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God is addressing the Israelites who doubted His promise to lead them into the Promised Land.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
"As for you, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness."
But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is addressing the Israelites who doubted His promise to lead them into the Promised Land. Because of their lack of faith and rebellion, God declares that they will not enter the land but will instead die in the wilderness. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and disbelief. The wilderness symbolizes a place of testing and judgment, where the Israelites will wander until the unfaithful generation passes away. This moment highlights the seriousness of trusting in God's plans and the repercussions of turning away from Him. It emphasizes that faith is essential for receiving God's blessings and that doubt can lead to dire consequences. The Israelites' journey becomes a lesson for future generations about the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God’s commands, illustrating that their choices have lasting effects on their lives and destinies.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Numbers 14:32 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own faith and obedience to God. It reminds us that our choices have consequences, and doubting God's promises can lead to spiritual stagnation. We should strive to trust in God's plans and remain faithful, even in challenging times.
Curated for this public verse page. Numbers Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Numbers 14:32 mean?
Numbers 14:32 means that God is telling the Israelites that because of their lack of faith and rebellion, they will not enter the Promised Land and will die in the wilderness instead.
What is the significance of the wilderness in Numbers 14:32?
The wilderness in Numbers 14:32 symbolizes a place of testing and judgment, where the Israelites will wander until the unfaithful generation passes away due to their disobedience.
What does 'your dead bodies will fall' mean in Numbers 14:32?
The phrase 'your dead bodies will fall' indicates that the Israelites will die in the wilderness as a direct consequence of their rebellion and lack of trust in God.
How does Numbers 14:32 relate to faith and obedience?
Numbers 14:32 highlights that faith and obedience to God are crucial, as the Israelites' choices led to dire consequences, serving as a warning about the importance of trusting in God's plans.

The Book of Numbers
Numbers 1: First Census and Tribal Leaders
The LORD speaks to Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai and orders a count of the men of Israel who are twenty years old and able to go to war. A leader from each tribe stands with them: Elizur for Reuben, Shelumiel for Simeon, Nahshon for Judah, Nethaneel for Issachar, Eliab for Zebulun, Elishama for Ephraim, Gamaliel for Manasseh, Abidan for Benjamin, Ahiezer for Dan, Pagiel for Asher, and Ahira for Naphtali. The totals are recorded by tribe, and the combined number of fighting men is six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty.
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