Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 1דברים 1

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Eleven days from Horeb — forty years in the coming. Moses opens his testament by preaching the past: the command to leave the mountain, the judges appointed so justice shows no partiality, and Kadesh retold — the good land refused, the generation sworn out of it, and even Moses barred, while the children who know neither good nor evil are promised the way in.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. It marks the formal beginning of Moses' final covenant preaching. Verses 1-5 are especially programmatic. The opening "These are the words" frames the book as an address to all Israel, and verse 5's הוֹאִיל מֹשֶׁה בֵּאֵר אֶת הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת should preserve the sense that Moses undertook or began to expound this torah. It is therefore not merely narrative recap, but interpretive proclamation. Verse 2's notice that the journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea is eleven days should remain explicit; it sharpens by implication the tragedy of the forty-year delay. Verses 6-18 recount the move from Horeb and the appointment of judges. Translation should preserve both divine initiative and Moses' burden language. Verse 12's איכה אשא לבדי marks the weight of carrying the people's burden, load, and strife. Verses 16-17 are crucial for the theology of judgment: judges must hear fairly, show no partiality, and fear no human face, because judgment belongs to God. This section should not be flattened into administrative trivia; it prepares the reader for the later crisis by showing what ordered covenant life ought to look like. Verses 19-46 retell the Kadesh-barnea catastrophe in sermonic form. The people propose the scouting mission in verse 22, the land is reported good in verse 25, and yet the people rebel in verses 26-28. Verse 27 is particularly sharp: they say that in YHWH's hatred he brought them out of Egypt to give them into Amorite hands. The translation should preserve the extremity of that accusation. Moses' reply in verses 29-33 draws on exodus and wilderness imagery, especially the simile in verse 31 that YHWH carried Israel as a man carries his son. Verse 32 then states the theological core of the failure: in this matter you were not believing in YHWH your God. Verses 34-40 announce the oath of judgment, with Caleb excepted, Joshua commissioned, and the children promised entrance. Moses' own exclusion in verse 37 should remain in its severe solidarity with Israel's failure. Finally, verses 41-46 distinguish true obedience from late presumption. The people confess sin and attempt to go up, but now the command is not to go. Their defeat by the Amorites "as bees do" in verse 44 is vivid and should remain so. It closes with tears not heard and a long stay at Kadesh. Taken together, the passage should therefore be translated as a sermonized recollection of unbelief, one that exposes the moral meaning of the wilderness past for the generation about to hear the rest of Moses' instruction. Versification follows the MT.

1

אֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן בַּמִּדְבָּ֡ר בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ מ֨וֹל ס֜וּף בֵּֽין פָּארָ֧ן וּבֵֽין תֹּ֛פֶל וְלָבָ֥ן וַחֲצֵרֹ֖ת וְדִ֥י זָהָֽב

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan, in the wilderness, in the Arabah, opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di-zahab.

Title/incipitasyndeton
The opening אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים ('these are the words') is the book's incipit and gives Deuteronomy its Hebrew/Jewish title (Devarim). The trailing itinerary is a chain of place-names whose obscurity is deliberate — a literary riddle setting an enigmatic geographic frame before the historical notices that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (demonstrative, resumptive nominal clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; common demonstrative plural, subject of the nominal sentence forming the book's incipit.
הַדְּבָרִ֗יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate nominativeדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; plural here gives the book its Hebrew title דְּבָרִים (Devarim) — 'the words [that Moses spoke].'
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who/which/that'; introduces the clause specifying which words these are.
דִּבֶּ֤רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking, viewed as a wholeדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel is the dominant stem, 'to speak, declare'; introduces Moses' comprehensive address to all Israel.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of דִּבֶּרמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; subject of the entire book's framing address.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of Moses' speech.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; in construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, emphasizing the address's comprehensive audience.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּל (object of prep אֶל)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; the covenant people as addressee, gathered as one body before Moses' final words.
בְּעֵ֖בֶרbeyond/acrossprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phraseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across/beyond', from עבר 'to cross'; 'across/beyond the Jordan' — spoken from a Transjordanian vantage looking toward Canaan.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · הַיַּרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement in construct chainיַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River, from a root meaning 'to descend'; the boundary marker of the land not yet entered.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֡רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase (appositional geographic notice)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert, steppe'; first in a chain of place-notices whose precise identification is deliberately left obscure — part of the itinerary riddle of v.1.
בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩in the Arabahprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative prepositional phraseעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, steppe'; the rift valley south of the Jordan/Dead Sea; a further term in the itinerary riddle.
מ֨וֹלoppositeprep · מוֹל (H4136)Locative prepositional phraseמוֹל (H4136) 'in front of, opposite'; introduces a further locational notice whose referent (Suph) is uncertain.
ס֜וּףSuphproper noun · סוּף (H5489)Object of preposition מוֹלסוּף (H5489), elsewhere 'reed(s)'; here a place-name of uncertain location, possibly evoking יַם סוּף though the identification is not certain — part of the deliberately obscure itinerary.
בֵּֽיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Locative prepositional phraseבֵּין (H996) 'between'; introduces a list of place-names bracketing the itinerary.
פָּארָ֧ןParanproper noun · פָּארָן (H6290)Object of preposition בֵּיןפָּארָן (H6290), Paran, a wilderness region south of Canaan known elsewhere in the Pentateuch (e.g. Numbers 10, 12-13); one term of the obscure itinerary list.
וּבֵֽיןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinating conjunction + locative prepositionוּבֵין (c/H996) 'and between'; continues the enumeration of place-names.
תֹּ֛פֶלTophelproper noun · תֹּפֶל (H8603)First object of בֵּין (paired with the following names)תֹּפֶל (H8603), Tophel, an otherwise unknown site; its obscurity is characteristic of this itinerary, which reads almost as a geographic riddle rather than a clear travel log.
וְלָבָ֥ןand Labanconj וְ + proper noun · לָבָן (H3837)Coordinate item in place-name listלָבָן (H3837), Laban, meaning 'white'; site otherwise unidentified, possibly related to Libnah.
וַחֲצֵרֹ֖תand Hazerothconj וְ + proper noun · חֲצֵרוֹת (H2698)Coordinate item in place-name listחֲצֵרוֹת (H2698) 'enclosures, settlements'; a wilderness stop also named in Numbers 11-12, though its relation to this list's geography is unclear.
וְדִ֥יand Di-conj וְ + proper noun (construct component) · דִּי זָהָב (H1774)First element of the compound place-name Di-zahabדִּי (H1774), likely a relative/construct element meaning 'of' in this place-name; combines with זָהָב 'gold' to form the otherwise unknown site Di-zahab, 'place of gold.'
זָהָֽב-zahab (gold)proper noun (construct component) · דִּי זָהָב (H1774)Second element of the compound place-name Di-zahabזָהָב 'gold'; together with דִּי forms 'Di-zahab', one more site in this deliberately riddling itinerary list, whose obscurity is likely intentional literary art rather than a simple geographical record.
2

אַחַ֨ד עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ מֵֽחֹרֵ֔ב דֶּ֖רֶךְ הַר שֵׂעִ֑יר עַ֖ד קָדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵֽעַ

(It is) eleven days from Horeb, by way of Mount Seir, to Kadesh-barnea.

Parenthetical aside (narratorial comment)asyndeton
A bare, verbless itinerary note that interrupts the sentence begun in v.1 and continued in v.3. Its terse mention of eleven days functions as the book's thesis in miniature: an implicit, stinging comparison against the forty years that actually intervened (v.3), exposing by silence the tragedy of the wilderness delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אַחַ֨דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral, first element of eleven (with עָשָׂר)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; paired with עָשָׂר to form 'eleven' (lit. 'one-ten').
עָשָׂ֥ר-teen (ten)numeral m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral, second element of elevenעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten' (in the teens construction); אַחַד עָשָׂר = 'eleven', modifying יוֹם.
יוֹם֙day(s)N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of the numeral phrase, adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; collective singular after a cardinal numeral, 'eleven days' — the terse itinerary note that gives the verse its ironic force against the forty years of v.3.
מֵֽחֹרֵ֔בfrom Horebprep מִן + proper noun · חֹרֵב (H2722)Prepositional phrase of source/originחֹרֵב (H2722), Horeb, Deuteronomy's regular name for the mountain of the covenant (= Sinai in other Pentateuchal sources); marks the starting point of the brief itinerary.
דֶּ֖רֶךְby way ofN c sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Construct noun functioning adverbiallyדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; in construct before הַר שֵׂעִיר it functions prepositionally, 'via/by way of Mount Seir.'
הַרMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct noun governing שֵׂעִירהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill-country'; construct with שֵׂעִיר, 'Mount Seir' — the Edomite highlands.
שֵׂעִ֑ירSeirproper noun · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Genitive complement of הַר (construct chain)שֵׂעִיר (H8165), Seir, the mountainous territory of Edom southeast of the Dead Sea; marks the circuitous route taken.
עַ֖דto, as far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of terminusעַד (H5704) 'up to, as far as, until'; introduces the destination of the itinerary.
קָדֵ֥שׁKadeshproper noun (first element) · קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ (H6947)Object of preposition עַד, first element of compound place-nameקָדֵשׁ (H6947) 'holy, sacred'; first half of the compound site-name Kadesh-barnea, the staging point for the failed attempt to enter the land (cf. vv. 19-46).
בַּרְנֵֽעַ-barneaproper noun (second element) · קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ (H6947)Second element of compound place-nameבַּרְנֵעַ, of uncertain etymology; together with קָדֵשׁ forms 'Kadesh-barnea,' the wilderness oasis at the southern border of Canaan and the site of Israel's fateful rebellion recounted later in this chapter.
3

וַיְהִי֙ בְּאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה בְּעַשְׁתֵּֽי עָשָׂ֥ר חֹ֖דֶשׁ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֹת֖וֹ אֲלֵהֶֽם

And it came about in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, Moses spoke to the sons of Israel according to all that YHWH had commanded him concerning them.

Narrative resumption / temporal frameand
Resumes the main clause of v.1 (interrupted by the parenthetical v.2) with a precise date formula, then closes by stressing that the whole following address stands under divine mandate — Moses speaks 'according to all that YHWH had commanded him,' not on his own authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיְהִי֙and it came aboutwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative resumption (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the main storyline after the parenthetical aside of v.2הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the standard narrative-initiating formula וַיְהִי, reintroducing chronological narration after the itinerary note.
בְּאַרְבָּעִ֣יםin the fortiethprep בְּ + numeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Temporal prepositional phraseאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; dates the address to the final year of the wilderness sojourn, deliberately set against the eleven days of v.2.
שָׁנָ֔הyearN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Head noun of the temporal phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; completes 'the fortieth year' — from the Exodus, per the Torah's chronology.
בְּעַשְׁתֵּֽיin the eleventhprep בְּ + numeral c sg constr · עַשְׁתֵּי (H6249)Temporal prepositional phrase, construct with עָשָׂרעַשְׁתֵּי (H6249), construct form used in forming 'eleven' (עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר); pins the address to a specific month.
עָשָׂ֥ר-teen (ten)numeral m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element completing 'eleventh'עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; with עַשְׁתֵּי forms 'eleventh,' i.e. the month later called Shevat.
חֹ֖דֶשׁmonthN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Head noun of temporal phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; specifies the eleventh month of the fortieth year.
בְּאֶחָ֣דon the firstprep בְּ + numeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Temporal prepositional phraseאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; 'on the first (day)' — the exact date is given with unusual precision, underscoring the solemn, deliberate character of this final address.
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Prepositional phrase completing the date formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; completes the date, 'on the first of the month' — new moon, a day of ritual significance elsewhere in the Torah.
דִּבֶּ֤רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: the decisive, dated act of address that frames the entire bookדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the main verb of the chapter's narrative frame, echoing the same verb used of the book's incipit in v.1.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of דִּבֶּרמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; subject of the dated address.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the audience of Moses' address.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun governing יִשְׂרָאֵלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural 'sons of,' i.e. 'the Israelites' collectively.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; the addressed nation.
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative/manner prepositional phrase modifying דִּבֶּרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; with כְּ, 'according to all (that)' — introduces the clause stressing Moses' fidelity to the divine command.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause specifying the content of YHWH's command.
צִוָּ֧הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative/subordinate clause→ Perfective: the prior, completed act of divine command underlying Moses' speechצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge, order'; stresses that Moses' entire address stands under prior divine mandate — nothing here is Moses' own invention.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God (traditionally vocalized 'Yahweh'); the ultimate source and authority behind Moses' words.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 3ms pronominal suffix, 'him' — Moses, as the recipient of the divine command.
אֲלֵהֶֽםconcerning themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, 'concerning/to them'אֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix; here best rendered 'concerning them' (the Israelites), marking the content of the command as pertaining to the nation Moses now addresses.
4

אַחֲרֵ֣י הַכֹּת֗וֹ אֵ֚ת סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן וְאֵ֗ת ע֚וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֔ן אֲשֶׁר יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹ֖ת בְּאֶדְרֶֽעִי

after he had struck down Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei,

Temporal subordinate clauseafter
A temporal clause anchoring Moses' address after the Transjordanian victories over Sihon and Og (cf. Numbers 21). It situates the coming exposition of the torah at the threshold of the conquest, with the first fruits of the promise already secured.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal subordinating prepositionאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; introduces a temporal clause anchoring the whole address after the Transjordanian conquests narrated in Numbers 21.
הַכֹּת֗וֹhis striking downHiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · הִכָּה (H5221)Verbal noun (infinitive construct) as head of temporal clause after אַחֲרֵי→ Infinitive of antecedent action: 'after his striking' = 'after he had struck down'נָכָה (H5221), Hiphil הִכָּה 'to strike, smite, defeat'; the infinitive construct with pronominal subject-suffix functions as a full temporal clause, 'after he struck down.'
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of הַכֹּתוֹ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object Sihon; untranslated in English.
סִיחֹן֙Sihonproper noun · סִיחֹן (H5511)Direct objectסִיחֹן (H5511), Sihon, the Amorite king defeated at Numbers 21:21-30; his defeat opened the Transjordan to Israelite settlement.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct noun in apposition to סִיחֹןמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before הָאֱמֹרִי, 'king of the Amorites.'
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amorite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement in construct chainאֱמֹרִי (H567), Amorite; used broadly in the Pentateuch for the pre-Israelite population of the hill country and Transjordan.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying סִיחֹןאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle 'who/which'; introduces a descriptive clause identifying Sihon's capital.
יוֹשֵׁ֖בwas dwelling/livedQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb of relative clause (substantival/verbal participle)→ Participle: durative — describes Sihon's ongoing, settled state of dwelling in Heshbonיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; participle expressing Sihon's settled residence in Heshbon at the time of the conquest.
בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹןin Heshbonprep בְּ + proper noun · חֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809)Locative prepositional phraseחֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809), Heshbon, Sihon's Amorite capital city, located in the Transjordanian plateau.
וְאֵ֗תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object marker (second object of הַכֹּתוֹ)אֵת (H853) with conjunctive וְ; marks Og as the second definite direct object of 'his striking down.'
ע֚וֹגOgproper noun · עוֹג (H5747)Direct object (second)עוֹג (H5747), Og, king of Bashan, defeated at Numbers 21:33-35; later remembered for his great size/iron bed (Deut 3:11).
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct noun in apposition to עוֹגמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before הַבָּשָׁן, 'king of Bashan.'
הַבָּשָׁ֔ןBashanart + proper noun · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Genitive complement in construct chainבָּשָׁן (H1316), Bashan, the fertile plateau region north of Gilead, Og's kingdom.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying עוֹגאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause identifying Og's residence.
יוֹשֵׁ֥בwas dwelling/livedQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Participle: durative — describes Og's ongoing, settled state of dwellingיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; parallels the participle used of Sihon, forming a matched pair of descriptive clauses.
בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹ֖תin Ashtarothprep בְּ + proper noun · עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (H6252)Locative prepositional phraseעַשְׁתָּרוֹת (H6252), Ashtaroth, one of Og's royal cities, named for the goddess Astarte.
בְּאֶדְרֶֽעִיand in Edreiprep בְּ + proper noun · אֶדְרֶעִי (H154)Locative prepositional phrase (paired with Ashtaroth)אֶדְרֶעִי (H154), Edrei, Og's other capital, site of his final defeat (Numbers 21:33).
5

בְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֑ב הוֹאִ֣יל מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לֵאמֹֽר

Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to expound this torah, saying:

Main-line resumption introducing the act of expositionasyndeton
The programmatic hinge verse: הוֹאִיל ('undertook, resolved') paired with the Piel בֵּאֵר ('to make plain, expound') signals that what follows is interpretive proclamation, not verbatim repetition of prior law — Moses is making the torah distinct and clear for a new generation.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
בְּעֵ֥בֶרbeyondprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phrase (resumes the setting of v.1)עֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across/beyond'; echoes v.1's geographic frame, now resumed after the interrupting notices of vv.2-4.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · הַיַּרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement in construct chainיַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מוֹאָב, 'land of Moab' — situating the entire address in Transjordan, on the eve of entry.
מוֹאָ֑בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive complement in construct chainמוֹאָב (H4124), Moab, the territory east of the Dead Sea where Israel is encamped as the book opens.
הוֹאִ֣ילundertook / was pleasedHiphil perf 3ms · הוֹאִיל (H2974)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a decisive act of will initiating what followsיָאַל (H2974), Hiphil הוֹאִיל 'to be willing, undertake, resolve, be pleased to'; marks Moses' deliberate decision to take up the task of exposition — not compulsion but resolve.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of הוֹאִילמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses.
בֵּאֵ֛רto expound/make plainPiel perf 3ms (complementary to הוֹאִיל) · בֵּאֵר (H874)Complementary verb completing הוֹאִיל ('undertook to expound')→ Perfective, complementary: the specific act Moses resolved to performבָּאַר (H874), Piel 'to make distinct, explain clearly, expound'; used elsewhere only of engraving the law clearly on stones (Deut 27:8); signals that Moses' discourse is interpretive clarification, not bare repetition — proclamation that makes the torah plain.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of בֵּאֵר)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַתּוֹרָה as the definite direct object.
הַתּוֹרָ֥הthe torah/lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Direct objectתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law, teaching', from יָרָה 'to teach, direct'; the body of covenant instruction Moses is about to expound — the whole address (and by extension the book) can be seen as this act of תּוֹרָה-giving.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (f.); points to the immediate, present act of instruction now beginning.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct discourse→ Infinitival: marks the onset of quoted speech (untranslated formally, 'saying')אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula לֵאמֹר introduces the following divine speech (vv.6-8) as direct quotation.
6

יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֵ֖ינוּ בְּחֹרֵ֣ב לֵאמֹ֑ר רַב לָכֶ֥ם שֶׁ֖בֶת בָּהָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה

YHWH our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain.'

Opening of embedded direct speechasyndeton
Begins YHWH's own quoted words within Moses' exposition. רַב לָכֶם שֶׁבֶת is an idiomatic exclamation of sufficiency ('enough of your dwelling') that functions as an implicit rebuke-cum-command: the extended stay at Horeb has reached its limit and it is time to move.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God.
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God' (plural of majesty), with 1cp suffix 'our God'; in apposition, stressing the covenant relationship — this is Israel's own God speaking.
דִּבֶּ֥רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the mode of speech from v.1/v.3)→ Perfective: the completed, foundational act of divine speech at Horebדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the same verb used of Moses' own speaking in vv.1 and 3, binding Moses' address to YHWH's prior word.
אֵלֵ֖ינוּto usprep אֶל + 1cp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) with 1cp suffix; the generation at Horeb, rhetorically identified with the present audience.
בְּחֹרֵ֣בat Horebprep בְּ + proper noun · חֹרֵב (H2722)Locative prepositional phraseחֹרֵב (H2722), Horeb, the covenant mountain; situates the following command at the start of the wilderness sojourn.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct discourse→ Infinitival: marks onset of the quoted divine commandאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's own words in direct speech.
רַבmuch/enoughadj m sg abs (predicate) · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective of the nominal clause (impersonal, 'it is enough')רַב (H7227) 'much, great, abundant'; used predicatively and impersonally, 'enough! sufficient!' — an idiomatic exclamation of a limit reached.
לָכֶ֥םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of interest completing the predicate רַבלְ with 2mp suffix; idiomatic dative marking the addressees for whom 'enough' obtains — 'you have had enough...'
שֶׁ֖בֶתdwelling/stayingQal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitive construct, subject of the nominal clause רַב לָכֶם→ Infinitival: names the action that has reached its sufficient limit — 'to dwell/stay'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; infinitive functioning as a verbal noun, subject of רַב — 'your dwelling/staying (at this mountain) is enough.'
בָּהָ֥רat the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase modifying שֶׁבֶתהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; refers back to Horeb, the site just named.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָהָרזֶה (H2088) 'this' (m.); deictic, pointing to Horeb as immediately present in the address — 'this mountain (here).'
7

פְּנ֣וּ וּסְע֣וּ לָכֶ֗ם וּבֹ֨אוּ הַ֥ר הָֽאֱמֹרִי֮ וְאֶל כָּל שְׁכֵנָיו֒ בָּעֲרָבָ֥ה בָהָ֛ר וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֥ה וּבַנֶּ֖גֶב וּבְח֣וֹף הַיָּ֑ם אֶ֤רֶץ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַלְּבָנ֔וֹן עַד הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל נְהַר פְּרָֽת

Turn and set out, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors, in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Negeb, and on the coast of the sea — the land of the Canaanites — and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

Chain of volitional imperatives (divine command to depart)asyndeton
Continues the quoted divine speech begun in v.6. A rapid string of imperatives (turn, set out, go) is followed by a sweeping list of terrains and peoples, expressing the vast geographic horizon of the land-promise from the Arabah to the Euphrates.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
פְּנ֣וּturn!Qal impv 2mp · פָּנָה (H6437)Volitional predicate verb (imperative, first in a chain)→ Volitional: direct command initiating the departure from Horebפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face'; imperative 'turn (yourselves)!' — command to break camp and reorient toward the land.
וּסְע֣וּand set out!conj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · נָסַע (H5265)Coordinated volitional predicate (imperative)→ Volitional: continuing commandנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent pegs), set out, journey'; the standard verb for breaking camp in the wilderness narratives.
לָכֶ֗םyourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְEthical dative (reflexive nuance) with the preceding imperativesלְ with 2mp suffix; an ethical/reflexive dative common with verbs of motion, reinforcing personal engagement — 'set out for yourselves.'
וּבֹ֨אוּand go/enter!conj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinated volitional predicate (imperative)→ Volitional: culminating command to arrive/enter the destinationבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; here directing Israel toward the hill country and the wider land.
הַ֥רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct noun, object of movement (accusative of goal)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct with הָאֱמֹרִי, 'hill country of the Amorites' — the central highlands of Canaan.
הָֽאֱמֹרִי֮the Amorite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement in construct chainאֱמֹרִי (H567), Amorite; here denoting the inhabitants of the central hill country.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; extends the destination to the surrounding peoples.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing שְׁכֵנָיוכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with שְׁכֵנָיו, 'all their neighbors.'
שְׁכֵנָיו֒their neighborsadj/ptc m pl constr + 3ms suffix · שָׁכֵן (H7934)Genitive complement in construct chainשָׁכֵן (H7934) 'neighbor, dweller nearby'; the peoples surrounding the Amorite hill country, encompassed within the promised territory.
בָּעֲרָבָ֥הin the Arabahprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative prepositional phrase (item in geographic list)עֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, steppe'; the Jordan rift valley, first of a series of terrain-types spanning the whole land.
בָהָ֛רin the hill countryprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (item in geographic list)הַר (H2022) 'hill country, mountain'; the central highlands, a second terrain-type in the list.
וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֥הand in the lowlandconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שְׁפֵלָה (H8219)Locative prepositional phrase (item in geographic list)שְׁפֵלָה (H8219) 'lowland, foothills'; the Shephelah, the low hill country between the central highlands and the coastal plain.
וּבַנֶּ֖גֶבand in the Negebconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Locative prepositional phrase (item in geographic list)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, dry region'; the arid southern region of Canaan, another terrain-type completing the sweep.
וּבְח֣וֹףand on the coast ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · חוֹף (H2348)Locative prepositional phrase, construct governing הַיָּםחוֹף (H2348) 'coast, shore'; construct with הַיָּם, 'coast of the sea' — the Mediterranean littoral.
הַיָּ֑םthe seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive complement in construct chainיָם (H3220) 'sea'; here the Mediterranean, the western boundary of the promised land.
אֶ֤רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct noun in apposition, summarizing the preceding terrain listאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with הַכְּנַעֲנִי, summarizing the whole preceding list as 'the land of the Canaanite(s).'
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaanite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive complement in construct chainכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669), Canaanite; the broad ethnonym covering the land's inhabitants collectively.
וְהַלְּבָנ֔וֹןand Lebanonconj וְ + art + proper noun · לְבָנוֹן (H3844)Coordinate item extending the geographic scope northwardלְבָנוֹן (H3844), Lebanon, 'white (mountain)' from its snow-capped peaks; marks the promise's extension to the far north.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of terminusעַד (H5704) 'up to, as far as'; introduces the outermost boundary of the promised territory.
הַנָּהָ֥רthe riverart + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Head noun of the terminal phraseנָהָר (H5104) 'river, stream'; here specifically the Euphrates, named in apposition below.
הַגָּדֹ֖לthe greatart + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַנָּהָרגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; the standing epithet for the Euphrates in biblical geography, contrasting with the smaller wadis of Canaan.
נְהַרthe river (of)N m sg constr · נָהָר (H5104)Construct noun in apposition to הַנָּהָר הַגָּדֹלנָהָר (H5104) 'river'; construct before פְּרָת, specifying the great river by name.
פְּרָֽתEuphratesproper noun · פְּרָת (H6578)Genitive complement in construct chainפְּרָת (H6578), the Euphrates River; marks the maximal, ideal extent of the promised land's northeastern border (cf. Genesis 15:18).
8

רְאֵ֛ה נָתַ֥תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ בֹּ֚אוּ וּרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבַּ֣ע יְ֠הוָה לַאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם לְיִצְחָ֤ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙ לָתֵ֣ת לָהֶ֔ם וּלְזַרְעָ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם

See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land that YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their seed after them.

Climactic command grounded in the patriarchal oathasyndeton
נָתַתִּי is a perfect of certainty (a proleptic/performative perfect): the gift of the land is declared so certain that it is spoken of as already accomplished before Israel takes a single step. The command to go in and possess is then grounded in the ancient oath sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, closing YHWH's opening speech on the note of covenant faithfulness.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
רְאֵ֛הsee!Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Volitional predicate (imperative, attention-getting)→ Volitional: a summons to perceive/recognize the following declarationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; imperative used rhetorically to introduce an emphatic declaration — 'behold, look.'
נָתַ֥תִּיI have given/setQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, performative declaration)→ Perfect of certainty (prophetic/performative perfect): the land-gift is spoken of as already accomplished, so certain it needs only to be takenנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; the perfect here functions performatively — not a past act but a declaration whose certainty makes it as good as done, 'I hereby give/have given.'
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying נָתַתִּיפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of' + 2mp suffix — the land is laid out visibly, ready for Israel to enter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of נָתַתִּי)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite direct object.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, object of the divine gift.
בֹּ֚אוּgo in!Qal impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Volitional predicate (imperative)→ Volitional: command to act on the declared giftבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; imperative directing Israel to enter the land just declared given.
וּרְשׁ֣וּand possess!conj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Coordinated volitional predicate (imperative)→ Volitional: command to take possession, completing the pair 'go in and possess'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, inherit, dispossess'; frequently paired with בּוֹא in Deuteronomy's conquest formulas.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וּרְשׁוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite direct object of 'possess.'
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; repeated for emphasis, now as object of possession.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the grounding clause of the patriarchal oath.
נִשְׁבַּ֣עsworeNiphal perf 3ms · נִשְׁבַּע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: the foundational, completed act of oath-swearing grounding the present commandשָׁבַע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear (an oath)'; roots the land-gift in YHWH's own ancient, binding promise to the patriarchs — the ultimate warrant for the command to enter.
יְ֠הוָהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God; subject of the oath.
לַאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜םto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2mp suffix, 'your fathers' — the patriarchs, named individually in what follows.
לְאַבְרָהָ֨םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Appositional indirect object, first of three namesאַבְרָהָם (H85), Abraham, first recipient of the land-oath (Genesis 15:18; 17:8).
לְיִצְחָ֤קto Isaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Appositional indirect object, second of three namesיִצְחָק (H3327), Isaac, second patriarch to whom the oath was confirmed (Genesis 26:3-4).
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙and to Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Appositional indirect object, third and final of three namesיַעֲקֹב (H3290), Jacob, third patriarch, to whom the oath was again confirmed (Genesis 28:13-15); completes the triad rehearsed throughout Deuteronomy as the ground of the land-promise.
לָתֵ֣תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive of purpose/result completing נִשְׁבַּע→ Infinitival: expresses the purpose/content of the oath — 'to give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; infinitive construct expressing the substance of what YHWH swore — echoing נָתַתִּי earlier in the verse, linking the ancient oath to the present declaration.
לָהֶ֔םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object of לָתֵתלְ with 3mp suffix; refers back to the patriarchs, 'to give to them.'
וּלְזַרְעָ֖םand to their seedconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Coordinated indirect object of לָתֵתזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; extends the oath's beneficiaries from the patriarchs to their descendants — the present generation of Israel now being addressed.
אַחֲרֵיהֶֽםafter themprep אַחַר + 3mp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying זַרְעָםאַחַר (H310) 'after'; with 3mp suffix, 'after them' — marking the succeeding generations as heirs of the same promise, closing the verse's chain of oath, patriarchs, and posterity.
9

וָאֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵכֶ֔ם בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹא אוּכַ֥ל לְבַדִּ֖י שְׂאֵ֥ת אֶתְכֶֽם

And I said to you at that time, 'I am not able to bear you by myself.'

Narrative sequence introducing embedded direct speechand
Moses' wayyiqtol וָאֹמַר recounts his own earlier speech-act, framing the burden-complaint as a quotation within his present sermon. The verb נָשָׂא ('to bear/carry') is introduced here and becomes the pericope's key term, echoed in v.12's מַשָּׂא and Israel's later burden-bearing theology.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וָאֹמַ֣רand I saidQal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses recounts his own prior speech-actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the quoted speech Moses delivered to Israel at Horeb, opening the burden-complaint pericope.
אֲלֵכֶ֔םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וָאֹמַראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Israel as the addressee of Moses' speech.
בָּעֵ֥תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וָאֹמַרעֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; with article and demonstrative הַהִוא following, 'at that time' — a recurring formula in Deuteronomy anchoring recollected speech to the Horeb sojourn.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהִיא (H1931), 3fs independent pronoun used attributively with the article as a demonstrative, 'that (time)' — feminine agreeing with עֵת.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitival: standard quotative marker introducing the following direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the ubiquitous לֵאמֹר formula opening reported speech, here Moses' words to Israel.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אוּכַללֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle; negates the following verb of ability.
אוּכַ֥לI am ableQal impf 1cs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb of the quoted clause, negated→ Yiqtol: present-tense modal capacity — 'I am (not) able'יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; negated here, 'I am not able' — Moses' opening statement of insufficiency that motivates the judicial delegation.
לְבַדִּ֖יby myselfprep לְ + N m sg constr + 1cs suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner ('alone')בַּד (H905) 'part, alone'; the idiom לְבַד + suffix means 'by oneself, alone' — Moses stresses his solitary burden, resumed emphatically in v.12.
שְׂאֵ֥תto bearQal inf constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Infinitive construct complementing אוּכַל→ Infinitival: complement of ability-verb, naming the burdensome act itselfנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the pericope's key verb, introduced here and echoed in v.12's מַשָּׂא ('burden', from this same root) — the theme of Moses' unsustainable solitary load.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of שְׂאֵתאֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 2mp suffix marking the definite direct object 'you' — the people themselves as the weight Moses cannot bear alone.
10

יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם הִרְבָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְהִנְּכֶ֣ם הַיּ֔וֹם כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לָרֹֽב

YHWH your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today like the stars of heaven for multitude.

Explanatory ground for the burden-complaint (within reported speech)asyndeton
Asyndetic clause supplying the reason Moses cannot bear the people alone: their sheer numerical growth. The simile 'as the stars of heaven for multitude' deliberately echoes the patriarchal promises of Genesis 15:5, 22:17, and 26:4 — the burden is itself evidence that YHWH has kept his oath.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִרְבָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God; subject of the report that Israel has multiplied — the burden's ultimate cause is divine blessing, not misfortune.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty, construct with 2mp suffix, 'your God' — the covenant relationship formula.
הִרְבָּ֣הhas multipliedHiphil perf 3ms · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act with a present, visible result — Israel's growth already accomplishedרָבָה (H7235) 'to be(come) many'; Hiphil causative, 'to multiply, make numerous' — fulfillment language echoing the patriarchal promise of innumerable offspring.
אֶתְכֶ֑ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הִרְבָּהאֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 2mp suffix marking Israel as the definite object of YHWH's multiplying.
וְהִנְּכֶ֣םand behold you (are)conj וְ + presentative particle + 2mp suffix · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing a verbless clause with 2mp pronominal subjectהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; with pronominal suffix functions as the subject of a verbless clause, 'behold, you (are)' — vivid, attention-drawing presentation of Israel's present multitude.
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article as an adverbial idiom הַיּוֹם, 'today' — a favorite Deuteronomic marker stressing the immediacy of the present moment of address.
כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥יlike the stars ofprep כְּ + N m pl constr · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Comparative prepositional phrase, predicate complementכּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; construct plural in a comparison echoing YHWH's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:5) that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars.
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement of כְּכוֹכְבֵי (construct chain)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heaven, sky'; plural-form noun completing the construct 'stars of heaven.'
לָרֹֽבfor multitudeprep לְ + N c/b sg abs · רֹב (H7230)Adverbial prepositional phrase of respect ('in respect of multitude')רֹב (H7230) 'abundance, multitude'; the idiom לָרֹב, 'in abundance, exceedingly' — caps the simile, stressing the sheer scale of Israel's growth.
11

יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֽוֹתֵכֶ֗ם יֹסֵ֧ף עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם כָּכֶ֖ם אֶ֣לֶף פְּעָמִ֑ים וִיבָרֵ֣ךְ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם

May YHWH, the God of your fathers, add to you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you as he has promised you!

Parenthetical wish/blessing (within reported speech)asyndeton
An asyndetic aside of blessing interrupts the burden-complaint: even as Moses laments the weight of Israel's numbers, he voices a jussive wish for still greater increase, showing the complaint is not resentment but an administrative problem needing a solution.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
יְהוָ֞הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יֹסֵףיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God; subject of the jussive wish for increase and blessing.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יGod ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct with אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם, 'God of your fathers' — invoking the patriarchal covenant relationship as grounds for the wish.
אֲבֽוֹתֵכֶ֗םyour fathersN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement completing the construct chain אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶםאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2mp suffix, 'your fathers' — the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recipients of the original promise now recalled.
יֹסֵ֧ףmay he addHiphil jussive 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb of the wish-clause→ Volitional (jussive): a wish for still greater future increaseיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, increase'; Hiphil jussive expressing a prayer that YHWH will further multiply the people beyond their already vast numbers.
עֲלֵיכֶ֛םto/upon youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement of יֹסֵףעַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; with the idiom יָסַף עַל, 'to add to' — marks the beneficiary of the increase.
כָּכֶ֖םas you (are)prep כְּ + 2mp suffix · כְּComparative prepositional phrase modifying אֶלֶף פְּעָמִיםכְּ 'as, like'; with 2mp suffix, 'as you (are)' — the multiplier is calibrated to Israel's present already-great number.
אֶ֣לֶףa thousandnumeral c/b sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Adverbial accusative of measure with פְּעָמִיםאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; combined with פְּעָמִים, 'a thousand times' — a hyperbolic figure for the hoped-for increase.
פְּעָמִ֑יםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial accusative of measureפַּעַם (H6471) 'foot-step, occurrence, time'; plural 'times' completing the multiplicative idiom אֶלֶף פְּעָמִים, 'a thousandfold.'
וִיבָרֵ֣ךְand may he blessconj וְ + Piel jussive 3ms · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֹסֵף in the wish-clause→ Volitional (jussive), coordinated with יֹסֵף: a further wish for blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel, the ordinary stem for divine blessing of people — paired with numerical increase as the twin content of the wish.
אֶתְכֶ֔ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וִיבָרֵךְאֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 2mp suffix marking Israel as the object of the hoped-for blessing.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רas/just asprep כְּ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction introducing a clause of mannerכַּאֲשֶׁר (from כְּ + H834) 'just as, according as'; introduces the ground of the wish — the blessing hoped for matches a promise already given.
דִּבֶּ֥רhe has spoken/promisedPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: a completed prior promise, viewed as an accomplished fact of speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, here in the sense 'promise' — referring back to YHWH's earlier oath to the patriarchs (cf. v.8, v.11a).
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object of דִּבֶּרלְ with 2mp suffix, 'to you'; marks Israel as the recipient of the promise now recalled.
12

אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טָרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם

How can I bear alone your trouble, your burden, and your dispute?

Rhetorical question — climactic restatement of the burden (within reported speech)asyndeton
The thematic center of the pericope's complaint, resuming and intensifying v.9's לֹא אוּכַל לְבַדִּי שְׂאֵת with the exclamatory אֵיכָה (cf. the opening word of Lamentations). The triad טֹרַח / מַשָּׂא / רִיב names three distinct facets of the burden — toil, load, and litigation — the last of which anticipates the judicial solution of vv.13-17.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אֵיכָ֥הHow!exclamatory adverb · אֵיכָה (H349)Exclamatory adverb opening a rhetorical questionאֵיכָה (H349) 'how!'; an emphatic exclamatory interrogative — famously the opening word of Lamentations — expressing dismay at an unmanageable situation, here Moses' solitary burden.
אֶשָּׂ֖אcan I bearQal impf 1cs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: deliberative/modal — 'how can/should I bear'נָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; resumes v.9's שְׂאֵת, now intensified by the exclamatory אֵיכָה — the verb that generates מַשָּׂא, 'burden,' two words later in this same verse.
לְבַדִּ֑יaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 1cs suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerבַּד (H905) 'part, alone'; the idiom לְבַדִּי, 'by myself' — verbatim repetition of v.9, underscoring the unrelieved solitude of Moses' task.
טָרְחֲכֶ֥םyour troubleN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · טֹרַח (H2960)Direct object of אֶשָּׂא, first of a three-noun seriesטֹרַח (H2960) 'trouble, burden, toil' — rare noun (only here in the Hebrew Bible) built on a root meaning 'to be a burden'; denotes the wearisome exertion of managing the people's daily affairs, first of the three burden-terms climaxing this verse.
וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖םand your burdenconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Coordinated direct object of אֶשָּׂא, second of the seriesמַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load,' derived directly from the verb נָשָׂא just used — a deliberate paronomasia making the noun echo the verb 'to bear,' naming the very thing Moses cannot carry alone.
וְרִֽיבְכֶֽםand your disputeconj וְ + N c/b sg constr + 2mp suffix · רִיב (H7379)Coordinated direct object of אֶשָּׂא, third and climactic term of the seriesרִיב (H7379) 'strife, dispute, legal case'; the third and most concrete burden-term, anticipating the judicial content of vv.13-17 — Moses' complaint moves from generic toil and load to the specific work of adjudicating disputes.
13

הָב֣וּ לָ֠כֶם אֲנָשִׁ֨ים חֲכָמִ֧ים וּנְבֹנִ֛ים וִידֻעִ֖ים לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑ם וַאֲשִׂימֵ֖ם בְּרָאשֵׁיכֶֽם

Get for yourselves wise, discerning, and known men according to your tribes, and I will set them as your heads.

Command — Moses' proposed solution to the burden (within reported speech)asyndeton
Moses answers his own rhetorical question of v.12 with a concrete directive: the people are to nominate qualified men, triply qualified as wise, discerning, and known/recognized, whom Moses will then install as heads (רָאשִׁים) — the administrative resolution to the burden just described.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
הָב֣וּget/provideQal impv 2mp · יָהַב (H3051)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause of the command)→ Volitional (imperative): direct command to the peopleיָהַב (H3051) 'to give, provide'; defective root used almost exclusively in the imperative הָבוּ/הָבָה, 'give! provide!' — Moses' directive that the people themselves nominate the judges.
לָ֠כֶםfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of interest/reflexive benefit with הָבוּלְ with 2mp suffix, ethical/reflexive dative — 'for yourselves,' underscoring that the people themselves are to select their own judges.
אֲנָשִׁ֨יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of הָבוּ, head noun of the qualifying triadאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural, the head noun qualified by the three following adjectival/participial terms.
חֲכָמִ֧יםwiseAdj m pl abs · חָכָם (H2450)Attributive adjective modifying אֲנָשִׁים, first of three qualifiersחָכָם (H2450) 'wise'; the first of three qualities required of the judges — practical wisdom, essential for sound adjudication.
וּנְבֹנִ֛יםand discerningconj וְ + Niphal ptc m pl abs · בִּין (H995)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to אֲנָשִׁים, second qualifier→ Stative substantival participle: a durative quality — 'discerning, having understanding'בִּין (H995) 'to discern, understand'; Niphal participle used adjectivally, 'discerning, perceptive' — the second of the three required qualities, complementing raw wisdom with practical judgment.
וִידֻעִ֖יםand knownconj וְ + Qal passive ptc m pl abs · יָדַע (H3045)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to אֲנָשִׁים, third qualifier→ Passive participle: a resultant state — 'known, recognized' (by the community)יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Qal passive participle, 'known, well-regarded' — men of established public reputation, the third qualification alongside wisdom and discernment.
לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑םaccording to your tribesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Adverbial prepositional phrase of distributionשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; the men are to be selected tribe by tribe, ensuring representative distribution of judicial authority across all Israel.
וַאֲשִׂימֵ֖םand I will set themconj וְ + Qal impf 1cs + 3mp suffix · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb coordinated with the imperative, expressing purpose/result→ Yiqtol (volitional/purpose): 'so that I may set them' — result following on the people's complianceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; here 'to appoint, install' — Moses' side of the plan, contingent on the people first providing the candidates.
בְּרָאשֵׁיכֶֽםas your headsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Predicate complement (bĕ essentiae) with וַאֲשִׂימֵםרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; here 'head, chief, leader' — the office to which the qualified men will be appointed, resumed and expanded into the full hierarchy of v.15.
14

וַֽתַּעֲנ֖וּ אֹתִ֑י וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ טֽוֹב הַדָּבָ֥ר אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ לַעֲשֽׂוֹת

And you answered me and said, 'The thing that you have said is good to do.'

Narrative sequence — the people's approving responseand
A brief wayyiqtol notice of the people's assent, quoting their approval verbatim. It functions as narrative confirmation that the plan of v.13 was accepted before Moses proceeds to implement it in v.15.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽתַּעֲנ֖וּand you answeredconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the people's response to Moses' proposalעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; marks the people's formal reply to Moses' plan of v.13.
אֹתִ֑י[obj] meobj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַתַּעֲנוּאֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 1cs suffix marking Moses as the one addressed by the people's answer.
וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand you saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct quotation→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the people's quoted words of approval.
טֽוֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective of the verbless clause (fronted for emphasis)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; predicate of the nominal sentence טוֹב הַדָּבָר, fronted for emphasis — 'good is the thing,' i.e. the plan meets with approval.
הַדָּבָ֥רthe thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; here 'the thing/matter' — the proposal of v.13 to appoint qualified men as judges.
אֲשֶׁרthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause modifying הַדָּבָראֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'which/that'; specifies which 'thing' is approved — the plan just spoken by Moses.
דִּבַּ֖רְתָּyou have spokenPiel perf 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking — Moses' proposal already deliveredדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, refers back to Moses' proposal in v.13, which the people now formally approve.
לַעֲשֽׂוֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Epexegetical infinitive construct completing טוֹב→ Infinitival: specifies the respect in which the thing is 'good' — good to carry outעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; infinitive construct specifying that the plan is good not merely in the abstract but 'to do' — approved for implementation.
15

וָאֶקַּ֞ח אֶת רָאשֵׁ֣י שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֗ם אֲנָשִׁ֤ים חֲכָמִים֙ וִֽידֻעִ֔ים וָאֶתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם רָאשִׁ֖ים עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם שָׂרֵ֨י אֲלָפִ֜ים וְשָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֗וֹת וְשָׂרֵ֤י חֲמִשִּׁים֙ וְשָׂרֵ֣י עֲשָׂרֹ֔ת וְשֹׁטְרִ֖ים לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽם

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and known men, and I set them as heads over you — commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, according to your tribes.

Narrative sequence — Moses' execution of the appointmentand
Moses reports carrying out the plan just approved, laying out the full administrative hierarchy (thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens, plus officers/שֹׁטְרִים) that will implement the judicial delegation described in v.16. The chain of wayyiqtol verbs (וָאֶקַּח, וָאֶתֵּן) marks this as the main narrative line.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וָאֶקַּ֞חand I tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' execution of the approved planלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'select, take (into office)' — Moses acts on the people's assent of v.14.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of וָאֶקַּחאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם that follows.
רָאשֵׁ֣יthe heads ofN m pl constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object of וָאֶקַּח, head of construct chainרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; construct plural, 'heads of' — the men already recognized as tribal leaders, now taken as candidates for the new judicial office.
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֗םyour tribesN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Genitive complement completing the construct chain רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶםשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe'; with 2mp suffix, completes 'the heads of your tribes.'
אֲנָשִׁ֤יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Appositional noun restating רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם, head of a second qualifying pairאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; in apposition to the preceding construct chain, introducing the qualities 'wise and known' that characterize these tribal heads.
חֲכָמִים֙wiseAdj m pl abs · חָכָם (H2450)Attributive adjective modifying אֲנָשִׁיםחָכָם (H2450) 'wise'; repeats the first of v.13's three qualifications, now confirmed as met by the men actually chosen.
וִֽידֻעִ֔יםand knownconj וְ + Qal passive ptc m pl abs · יָדַע (H3045)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to אֲנָשִׁים→ Passive participle: a resultant state — 'known, recognized'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Qal passive participle, 'known, well-regarded' — repeats the third qualification of v.13 (the middle term 'discerning' is here omitted, a common stylistic abbreviation on resumption).
וָאֶתֵּ֥ןand I gave/appointedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — completing the appointment begun with וָאֶקַּחנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here 'to appoint, install' — the same verb used in v.8 and v.11 of YHWH's giving the land/blessing, now used of Moses' delegated act of installing officials.
אֹתָ֛ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וָאֶתֵּןאֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 3mp suffix referring back to the wise and known men just described.
רָאשִׁ֖יםheadsN m pl abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Predicate complement (bĕ essentiae-type double accusative) of וָאֶתֵּןרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the office to which the men are appointed, now explicated in the fourfold military-style hierarchy that follows.
עֲלֵיכֶ֑םover youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying רָאשִׁיםעַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; specifies the men's authority as being 'over' the people — an office of leadership, not merely honor.
שָׂרֵ֨יcommanders ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Appositional noun in construct, first of the fourfold hierarchyשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, official, commander'; construct, opening the military-administrative hierarchy of thousands/hundreds/fifties/tens familiar from Exodus 18:21 (Jethro's counsel).
אֲלָפִ֜יםthousandsnumeral c/b pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive complement completing שָׂרֵי, first rankאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; 'commanders of thousands' — the highest tier of the administrative hierarchy.
וְשָׂרֵ֣יand commanders ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinated appositional noun in construct, second rankשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander'; second tier of the hierarchy, 'commanders of hundreds.'
מֵא֗וֹתhundredsnumeral f pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive complement completing the second שָׂרֵימֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; second rank of the fourfold administrative hierarchy.
וְשָׂרֵ֤יand commanders ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinated appositional noun in construct, third rankשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander'; third tier of the hierarchy, 'commanders of fifties.'
חֲמִשִּׁים֙fiftiesnumeral c/b pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive complement completing the third שָׂרֵיחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; third rank of the fourfold administrative hierarchy.
וְשָׂרֵ֣יand commanders ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinated appositional noun in construct, fourth and final rankשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander'; fourth and final tier, 'commanders of tens' — the lowest unit, completing the hierarchy down to the smallest grouping.
עֲשָׂרֹ֔תtensnumeral m pl abs · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Genitive complement completing the fourth שָׂרֵיעֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; fourth and final rank of the hierarchy, echoing the Jethro-counsel structure of Exodus 18:21,25.
וְשֹׁטְרִ֖יםand officersconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl abs · שָׁטַר (H7860)Substantival participle, additional office coordinated with the fourfold command hierarchy→ Active participle, substantival: an ongoing office/function — 'those who write/record,' i.e. officialsשָׁטַר (H7860) 'to write, enroll'; participle used substantivally, 'officers, scribes, officials' — administrative/record-keeping officers distinct from but paired with the military-style commanders, likely responsible for registers and enforcement.
לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽםfor/by your tribesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Adverbial prepositional phrase of distribution, closing the verseשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe'; closes the verse by noting the entire hierarchy of officials was distributed 'according to your tribes,' matching v.13's instruction.
16

וָאֲצַוֶּה֙ אֶת שֹׁ֣פְטֵיכֶ֔ם בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁמֹ֤עַ בֵּין אֲחֵיכֶם֙ וּשְׁפַטְתֶּ֣ם צֶ֔דֶק בֵּֽין אִ֥ישׁ וּבֵין אָחִ֖יו וּבֵ֥ין גֵּרֽוֹ

And I charged your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and his sojourner.'

Narrative sequence — Moses' charge to the judges (embedded direct command)and
Moses' charge to the newly appointed judges establishes the standard of righteous judgment (צֶדֶק) and pointedly extends it to the גֵּר, the resident alien living among a brother's household — an early instance of the book's recurring concern for the sojourner's legal protection, and a direct anticipation of the impartiality principle spelled out in v.17.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וָאֲצַוֶּה֙and I chargedconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 1cs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct command→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' formal instruction to the newly appointed judgesצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel, the standard verb for authoritative instruction — introduces the judicial charge that follows.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of וָאֲצַוֶּהאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שֹׁפְטֵיכֶם as the definite direct object of Moses' charge.
שֹׁ֣פְטֵיכֶ֔םyour judgesQal ptc m pl constr + 2mp suffix · שָׁפַט (H8199)Substantival participle, direct object of וָאֲצַוֶּה→ Active participle, substantival: an ongoing office/function — 'those who judge,' i.e. judgesשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; Qal participle used substantivally, 'your judges' — the officials of v.15 now specifically addressed in their judicial capacity.
בָּעֵ֥תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וָאֲצַוֶּהעֵת (H6256) 'time'; with article and following הַהִוא, 'at that time' — the same temporal formula as v.9, framing this charge within the Horeb events.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהִיא (H1931), 3fs independent pronoun used attributively with the article as a demonstrative, 'that (time),' feminine agreeing with עֵת.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitival: standard quotative marker introducing the following direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the לֵאמֹר formula introducing Moses' charge to the judges.
שָׁמֹ֤עַhear!Qal inf abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Infinitive absolute functioning as an imperative, opening the direct charge→ Infinitive absolute for imperative: emphatic command — 'you shall hear'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen'; infinitive absolute used with imperatival force, a common Hebrew idiom for solemn command — 'hear (the cases)!'
בֵּיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase marking the parties of the disputeבֵּין (H996) 'between'; introduces the disputing parties, 'between your brothers' — i.e. among fellow Israelites.
אֲחֵיכֶם֙your brothersN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָח (H251)Object of the preposition בֵּיןאָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 2mp suffix, 'your brothers' — fellow Israelites among whom the judges will hear cases.
וּשְׁפַטְתֶּ֣םand you shall judgeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb continuing the imperatival force of שָׁמֹעַ→ Weqatal: consequential/volitional continuation of the preceding command — 'and you shall judge'שָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; weqatal continuing the force of the infinitive-absolute command, 'and (you shall) judge' — the second half of the two-part charge (hear, then judge).
צֶ֔דֶקrighteouslyN m sg abs · צֶדֶק (H6664)Adverbial accusative of manner modifying וּשְׁפַטְתֶּםצֶדֶק (H6664) 'righteousness, justice'; used adverbially, 'righteously, justly' — sets the ethical standard for judgment, developed further in the impartiality principle of v.17.
בֵּֽיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase, first of a three-part list of partiesבֵּין (H996) 'between'; opens a specifying list of the parties among whom justice is to be rendered — a man, his brother, and his sojourner.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition בֵּיןאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the first party of the judicial dispute, paired with 'his brother' and 'his sojourner.'
וּבֵיןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinated prepositional phrase, second of the three-part listבֵּין (H996) 'between'; second occurrence, continuing the list of parties subject to the judges' rulings.
אָחִ֖יוhis brotherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Object of the second preposition בֵּיןאָח (H251) 'brother'; with 3ms suffix, the second party — a fellow Israelite kinsman.
וּבֵ֥יןand (between)conj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinated prepositional phrase, third and final of the listבֵּין (H996) 'between'; third occurrence, extending the judicial charge to include the resident alien alongside native Israelites.
גֵּרֽוֹhis sojournerN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · גֵּר (H1616)Object of the third preposition בֵּין, closing the verseגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; with 3ms suffix, 'his sojourner' — the non-Israelite living within an Israelite household. Its inclusion here, alongside 'a man' and 'his brother,' is an early and deliberate note of Deuteronomy's recurring concern for the legal protection of the גֵּר, anticipated fully in the impartiality command of v.17.
17

לֹֽא תַכִּ֨ירוּ פָנִ֜ים בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט כַּקָּטֹ֤ן כַּגָּדֹל֙ תִּשְׁמָע֔וּן לֹ֤א תָג֨וּרוּ֙ מִפְּנֵי אִ֔ישׁ כִּ֥י הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט לֵאלֹהִ֣ים ה֑וּא וְהַדָּבָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִקְשֶׁ֣ה מִכֶּ֔ם תַּקְרִב֥וּן אֵלַ֖י וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו

You shall not recognize faces in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike; you shall not be afraid of the face of a man, for the judgment belongs to God. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring near to me, and I will hear it.

Continuation of Moses' quoted charge to the judges (asyndetic prohibition series)asyndeton
This verse is the theological climax of the judges' pericope: impartiality (lo takkiru panim) and fearlessness before powerful litigants (lo taguru mipnei ish) are both grounded in the declaration that 'the judgment is God's' — human judges act as God's delegates, not independent arbiters. The provision for escalating hard cases to Moses anticipates the later institution of a supreme judicial authority (cf. 17:8-13).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
לֹֽאnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַכִּירוּ (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle used with the imperfect for prohibition; negates the following verb of recognizing faces.
תַכִּ֨ירוּyou shall recognize/regardHiphil impf 2mp · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb of prohibition (negated by לֹא)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): negated imperfect expressing an enduring prohibition — 'you shall not show partiality'נָכַר (H5234) 'to recognize, regard'; Hiphil הִכִּיר פָנִים is the idiom 'to show partiality, respect persons' — lit. 'to recognize faces.'
פָנִ֜יםfacesN c/b pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of תַכִּירוּ (idiom: 'recognize faces' = show partiality)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face(s)'; plural-only noun; object of the idiom נִכֵּר פָּנִים 'to regard faces,' i.e., show favoritism or partiality in judgment.
בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗טin judgmentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial prepositional phrase of sphere, modifying the prohibitionמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice, legal case'; with article and prep בְּ, 'in judgment' — specifies the arena in which partiality is forbidden.
כַּקָּטֹ֤ןas/like the small (one)prep כְּ + art + Adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Comparative prepositional phrase, first of a merism paired with כַּגָּדֹלקָטֹן (H6996) 'small, young, insignificant'; substantival adjective with article, 'the small (one)' — paired with 'the great' to form a merism, 'small and great alike,' i.e. everyone regardless of social status.
כַּגָּדֹל֙as/like the great (one)prep כְּ + art + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Comparative prepositional phrase, second of the merism, object complement of תִּשְׁמָעוּןגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, important'; substantival adjective with article, 'the great (one)' — completes the merism with קָטֹן: judges must hear every case without regard to social rank.
תִּשְׁמָע֔וּןyou shall hearQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause), governing the merism כַּקָּטֹן כַּגָּדֹל as its implied object→ Yiqtol (imperatival force): a standing obligation — 'you must hear (alike)'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; paragogic nun lends solemn emphasis; the same verb opened the charge in v.16, now generalized into a universal rule of impartial hearing.
לֹ֤אnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָגוּרוּלֹא (H3808); negates the second prohibition, 'you shall not be afraid.'
תָג֨וּרוּ֙you shall be afraid/dreadQal impf 2mp · גּוּר II (H1481)Predicate verb of second prohibition (negated)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): negated imperfect — an enduring command not to fearגּוּר II (H1481) 'to be afraid, dread' (a distinct homograph from גּוּר I 'to sojourn'); paired with מִפְּנֵי אִישׁ, 'do not dread the face of a man' — judges must not let fear of powerful litigants sway their rulings.
מִפְּנֵיfrom the face ofprep מִן + N c/b pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (source/cause) modifying תָגוּרוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct after מִן, idiom מִפְּנֵי 'because of, from before' — here 'be afraid before/of' a person.
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive complement of מִפְּנֵי (construct chain)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; generic — any human litigant or powerful party whose status might otherwise intimidate a judge.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for both prohibitionsכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological rationale that undergirds the entire impartiality command.
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖טthe judgmentart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Subject of the verbless clause הַמִּשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהִים הוּאמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment'; with article, the abstract act/institution of judging itself, now declared to belong to God.
לֵאלֹהִ֣יםto/for Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate of possession in the verbless clause (dativus auctoris)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with prep לְ expressing possession/belonging, 'the judgment is God's' — the theological ground of the whole impartiality principle: human judges act as God's delegates.
ה֑וּאit (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive copula-pronoun completing the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun functioning as a copula in the nominal clause, 'it (is) [God's]' — emphatic closure of the declaration.
וְהַדָּבָר֙and the matterconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the following relative clause, resumed by תַּקְרִבוּןדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, case'; introduces the provision for cases beyond the judges' competence, to be referred up to Moses.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the qualifying clause on הַדָּבָראֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle, 'which (is too hard for you).'
יִקְשֶׁ֣הis too hardQal impf 3ms · קָשָׁה (H7185)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: characterizing/gnomic — describes any case that proves too difficultקָשָׁה (H7185) 'to be hard, difficult, severe'; here of a legal case exceeding the local judges' capacity, to be escalated to Moses.
מִכֶּ֔םfrom/for youprep מִן + 2mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of comparison/source completing יִקְשֶׁהמִן (H4480) with 2mp suffix, comparative 'than/for you' — 'too hard for you (to decide).'
תַּקְרִב֥וּןyou shall bring nearHiphil impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause), resuming וְהַדָּבָר as its object→ Yiqtol (imperatival force): a standing procedural obligation — 'you shall bring (it) near'קָרַב (H7126) 'to be near, approach'; Hiphil causative, 'to bring near, present' — the judges must refer hard cases up to Moses rather than ruling beyond their competence.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal, modifying תַּקְרִבוּןאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix, 'to me' — Moses as the final court of appeal above the appointed judges.
וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיוand I will hear itconj וְ + Qal weqatal(perf) 1cs + 3ms suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (weqatal, consequential continuation), with 3ms suffix as object→ Weqatal: consequential/future continuation — 'and I will hear it' following the judges' referralשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; weqatal with 3ms suffix ('it'), Moses' promise to personally adjudicate any case too difficult for the appointed judges.
18

וָאֲצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֑וא אֵ֥ת כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֽׂוּן

And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.

Narrative closure of the judges pericope / transitional summaryand
This verse closes the account of judicial appointment (vv.9-18) with a summary notice, echoing the charge-formula of v.16 (va'atsavveh ... ba'et hahi) and pivoting the narrative back to the itinerary resumed in v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וָאֲצַוֶּ֥הand I commandedconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 1cs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming Moses' summary of his instructionsצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel wayyiqtol, echoing the identical verb-form that opened the judges' charge in v.16 — now generalizing to 'all the things you should do.'
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וָאֲצַוֶּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, marking 'you' (the people generally, or the newly appointed officials) as the object commanded.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וָאֲצַוֶּהעֵת (H6256) 'time'; with article and הַהִוא, 'at that time' — repeating the formula of vv.9,16, tying this closing notice to the same Horeb setting.
הַהִ֑ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהִיא (H1931), feminine demonstrative agreeing with עֵת, 'that (time).'
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object clauseאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל הַדְּבָרִים as the definite object of וָאֲצַוֶּה.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַדְּבָרִיםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct, 'all the things' — the comprehensive scope of Moses' instructions.
הַדְּבָרִ֖יםthe thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; plural, 'the things/matters' — recalls the book's opening אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים (v.1), Moses' words now specified as the whole content of his instruction.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the qualifying clause on הַדְּבָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which (you should do).'
תַּעֲשֽׂוּןyou should doQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory — 'that you should/must do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; paragogic nun, 'you shall/should do' — the practical scope of Moses' comprehensive charge to the newly ordered nation.
19

וַנִּסַּ֣ע מֵחֹרֵ֗ב וַנֵּ֡לֶךְ אֵ֣ת כָּל הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר הַגָּדוֹל֩ וְהַנּוֹרָ֨א הַה֜וּא אֲשֶׁ֣ר רְאִיתֶ֗ם דֶּ֚רֶךְ הַ֣ר הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ אֹתָ֑נוּ וַנָּבֹ֕א עַ֖ד קָדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵֽעַ

Then we set out from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness that you saw, by the way of the hill country of the Amorites, as YHWH our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.

Narrative resumption — itinerary notice following the judges digressionthen
The narrative resumes the itinerary interrupted by the judges' appointment (vv.9-18), moving the people from Horeb through the wilderness toward Kadesh-barnea. 'That great and terrible wilderness' heightens the ordeal just before the pivotal Kadesh crisis, while 'as YHWH our God commanded us' frames the whole journey as obedient response to divine direction, in ironic anticipation of the disobedience about to be narrated.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַנִּסַּ֣עand we set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the itineraryנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent pegs), set out, journey'; standard verb for breaking camp, resuming Israel's march after the judicial digression.
מֵחֹרֵ֗בfrom Horebprep מִן + proper noun · חֹרֵב (H2722)Prepositional phrase of source modifying וַנִּסַּעחֹרֵב (H2722), Horeb — Deuteronomy's regular name for Sinai; the starting point of the eleven-day journey noted in v.2.
וַנֵּ֡לֶךְand we wentconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main narrative line), coordinate with וַנִּסַּע→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H1980, forms from ילך H3212) 'to go, walk'; continues the itinerary verb-chain, 'we went (through).'
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of וַנֵּלֶךְאֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַמִּדְבָּר as the definite object traversed.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַמִּדְבָּרכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all (that) wilderness.'
הַמִּדְבָּ֣רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain); head noun of the following attributivesמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the vast Sinai/Paran wilderness traversed en route to Kadesh.
הַגָּדוֹל֩the greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַמִּדְבָּרגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, vast'; first of a pair of attributives intensifying the wilderness ordeal.
וְהַנּוֹרָ֨אand the terrible/fearsomeconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc m sg abs · יָרֵא (H3372)Attributive participle coordinated with הַגָּדוֹל, modifying הַמִּדְבָּר→ Niphal participle, adjectival: passive-stative sense — 'to-be-feared, dreadful'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; Niphal participle used adjectivally, 'terrible, dreadful' — together with גָּדוֹל forming the memorable phrase 'that great and terrible wilderness,' underscoring the hardship YHWH brought them through.
הַה֜וּאthatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּדְבָּרהוּא (H1931), masculine demonstrative agreeing with מִדְבָּר, 'that (wilderness).'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַמִּדְבָּראֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which you saw.'
רְאִיתֶ֗םyou sawQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessing, appealing to the hearers' own memoryרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; perfect, appealing directly to the generation's (or their parents') firsthand experience of the wilderness ordeal — a hallmark of Deuteronomy's rhetoric of eyewitness memory.
דֶּ֚רֶךְthe way ofN c/b sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial accusative in construct, specifying the route of the journeyדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; construct, 'by way of' — introduces the specific route through Amorite hill country.
הַ֣רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement of דֶּרֶךְ (construct chain)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct, 'the hill country of the Amorites.'
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amorite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement completing the construct chain הַר הָאֱמֹרִיאֱמֹרִי (H567), the Amorites, one of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan; here designating the hill-country territory the spies would soon scout.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רas/just asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing a subordinate clause of mannerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834 with כְּ) 'just as, according as'; introduces the clause affirming the journey followed divine command.
צִוָּ֛הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר-clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act of command that governs the present narrativeצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel perfect, 'as YHWH our God commanded us' — the journey is framed as obedience to prior divine instruction.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the command governing Israel's route.
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God' — covenant relationship formula, first-person plural fitting Moses' inclusive rhetoric.
אֹתָ֑נוּ[obj] usobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix, 'us' — Israel as the recipient of YHWH's command regarding the route.
וַנָּבֹ֕אand we cameconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main narrative line), resuming the itinerary chain→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — arrival at the destinationבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; wayyiqtol marking the itinerary's terminus at Kadesh-barnea, the staging point for the spy mission.
עַ֖דas far as/toprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of terminus modifying וַנָּבֹאעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the terminal point of the journey.
קָדֵ֥שׁKadeshproper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6947)Object of עַד, first element of the compound place-name קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַקָדֵשׁ (H6947), Kadesh(-barnea); the staging site south of Canaan from which the spies would be sent, and where Israel would later languish for years.
בַּרְנֵֽעַBarneaproper noun · בַּרְנֵעַ (H6947)Second element of the compound place-name קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַבַּרְנֵעַ, completing the compound toponym Kadesh-barnea; precise etymology debated, but the site is firmly located in the wilderness of Zin/Paran on Canaan's southern border.
20

וָאֹמַ֖ר אֲלֵכֶ֑ם בָּאתֶם֙ עַד הַ֣ר הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽנוּ

And I said to you, 'You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which YHWH our God is giving us.'

Narrative sequence — Moses' address to the people at Kadesh (introduces direct speech)and
Moses recalls his own words at the moment of arrival, framing the participle noten ('is giving') as a present, ongoing gift already underway — the land is as good as given, making the people's subsequent hesitation (v.22) and rebellion (vv.26-28) all the more culpable.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וָאֹמַ֖רand I saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing Moses' quoted wordsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; wayyiqtol introducing the direct-speech report of what Moses told the people upon arrival.
אֲלֵכֶ֑םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee of וָאֹמַראֶל (H413) with 2mp suffix, 'to you' — marks the people as recipients of Moses' announcement.
בָּאתֶם֙you have comeQal perf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the quoted clause (main clause of direct speech)→ Perfective: a completed act with present relevance — arrival just accomplishedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; perfect, 'you have come (to the hill country)' — Moses announces the arrival at the doorstep of the land.
עַדto/as far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of goal modifying בָּאתֶםעַד (H5704) 'as far as, to'; marks the destination reached.
הַ֣רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of עַד, construct governing הָאֱמֹרִיהַר (H2022) 'hill country, mountain'; construct, 'the hill country of the Amorites.'
הָאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amorite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement completing the construct chain הַר הָאֱמֹרִיאֱמֹרִי (H567), the Amorites; the hill-country people whose territory borders the land YHWH is giving.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַר הָאֱמֹרִיאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which YHWH our God is giving us.'
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the present-tense gift of the land.
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God' — covenant formula reinforcing the certainty of the gift.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause (present/ongoing predication)→ Active participle: present, ongoing/imminent action — the gift of the land is already underway, not merely futureנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; participle expressing vivid present certainty, 'is giving' — echoes v.8's נָתַתִּי and anticipates v.21's נָתַן, stressing that the land-gift is already in motion and needs only to be taken.
לָֽנוּto usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ (preposition) with 1cp suffix, 'to/for us' — Israel as beneficiary of YHWH's gift.
21

רְ֠אֵה נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ עֲלֵ֣ה רֵ֗שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל תִּירָ֖א וְאַל תֵּחָֽת

See, YHWH your God has set the land before you; go up, take possession, as YHWH the God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear, and do not be dismayed.

Exhortation — imperatival command reinforcing Moses' announcement of v.20asyndeton
Moses' imperative 'see!' introduces a proleptic, performative use of the perfect natan — the land is treated as already given, so the sole remaining task is to go up and take it. The paired prohibitions 'do not fear, do not be dismayed' echo the standard holy-war encouragement formula and will be tragically disregarded when the people instead propose sending spies (v.22) and then lose heart at the spies' report.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
רְ֠אֵהsee!Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, opening imperative of the exhortation→ Volitional: imperative directing attention — 'look, see (what YHWH has done)'רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; imperative, calling attention to the land now before them as a present reality.
נָתַ֨ןhas set/givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the clause introduced by רְאֵה→ Perfective (performative/proleptic): a completed act treated as already accomplished, though the land is not yet possessed — rhetorical certainty of the giftנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; perfect used performatively/proleptically, as in v.8 — the land-gift is spoken of as an accomplished fact, making the ensuing command to 'go up and possess' a matter of simple appropriation, not conquest of something withheld.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the proleptic gift of the land.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God' — covenant relationship formula, singular addressing Israel as a collective 'you.'
לְפָנֶ֖יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c/b pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location/goal modifying נָתַןפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי + suffix, 'before you' — the land is laid out ready for the taking, directly in front of the people.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of נָתַןאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite direct object of the gift.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c/b sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of נָתַןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; with article, the promised land now set before Israel as an accomplished gift.
עֲלֵ֣הgo up!Qal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb, second imperative continuing the exhortation→ Volitional: imperative command to advance and take the landעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; imperative, the standard verb for advancing into the hill country to take the land — echoed ironically when the people 'go up' too late and are defeated in vv.43-44.
רֵ֗שׁtake possession!Qal impv 2ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb, third imperative continuing the exhortation, asyndetically coordinate with עֲלֵה→ Volitional: imperative command to possess/dispossess — completing the command begun with עֲלֵהיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession, inherit, dispossess'; imperative, paired asyndetically with עֲלֵה — 'go up, take possession' is the twin command that Israel will fail to carry out in faith.
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩as/just asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing a subordinate clause of mannerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834 with כְּ) 'just as'; introduces the confirming clause that this command matches prior divine promise to the patriarchs.
דִּבֶּ֨רhas spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר-clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act of speech underlying the present commandדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel perfect, 'as he has spoken' — grounding the command to take the land in YHWH's ancient promise to the patriarchs.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the ancestral promise now being fulfilled.
אֱלֹהֵ֤יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָה, governing אֲבֹתֶיךָאֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, 'the God of your fathers' — invokes the patriarchal covenant (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) as the origin of the land promise.
אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙your fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement completing the construct chain אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2ms suffix, 'your fathers' — the patriarchs to whom the land was originally promised.
לָ֔ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs-form suffix · לְIndirect object of דִּבֶּרלְ (preposition) with a 2fs-form suffix (an archaic/poetic byform occasionally alternating with 2ms in Deuteronomy's address to Israel), 'to you' — the recipient of YHWH's ancient oath to the fathers.
אַלdo notvolitional neg · אַל (H408)Negates the following jussive תִּירָאאַל (H408), the volitional negative used with jussive/imperfect verbs for direct prohibition, distinct from the durative לֹא; 'do not fear.'
תִּירָ֖אfearQal jussive 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of prohibition (negated by אַל)→ Jussive (prohibitive): immediate, situation-specific command — 'do not fear (now, in this moment)'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; jussive negated by אַל, the standard holy-war encouragement formula ('fear not') — tragically unheeded when the people's courage fails at the spies' report.
וְאַלand do notconj וְ + volitional neg · אַל (H408)Coordinated volitional negative, introducing the second prohibitionאַל (H408), coordinated with the first prohibition, 'and do not (be dismayed).'
תֵּחָֽתbe dismayedNiphal jussive 2ms · חָתַת (H2865)Predicate verb of the second prohibition (negated by וְאַל), paired with תִּירָא→ Jussive (prohibitive), Niphal: passive-reflexive — 'do not be shattered/dismayed'חָתַת (H2865) 'to be shattered, terrified, dismayed'; Niphal jussive, paired with יָרֵא to form the classic two-part holy-war formula 'fear not, be not dismayed' (cf. Deut 31:8, Josh 1:9).
22

וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַי֮ כֻּלְּכֶם֒ וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ נִשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ לָ֖נוּ אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיָשִׁ֤בוּ אֹתָ֨נוּ֙ דָּבָ֔ר אֶת הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲלֶה בָּ֔הּ וְאֵת֙ הֶֽעָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָבֹ֖א אֲלֵיהֶֽן

Then all of you came near to me and said, 'Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and the cities into which we shall come.'

Narrative sequence — the people's proposal (the Deuteronomic reframing of the spy mission)then
This verse marks the single most consequential difference between Deuteronomy's retelling and Numbers 13: in Numbers 13:1-2 it is YHWH who commands Moses to send the spies, but here the initiative comes from the people themselves ('all of you came near to me and said, Let us send men...'). This deliberate Deuteronomic reframing shifts moral responsibility for the scouting mission — and by extension its disastrous aftermath — onto the people, setting up their later blame in vv.26-28 for having refused to go up in faith even after the report.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּןand you came nearconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp (paragogic nun) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main narrative line), subject 'all of you'→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the people's approach to Moses, the initiating action of the whole episodeקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; wayyiqtol with paragogic nun; crucially, it is the people who 'draw near' with a proposal here, in pointed contrast to Numbers 13:1-2 where YHWH initiates the command to send spies.
אֵלַי֮to meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the goal of וַתִּקְרְבוּןאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix, 'to me' — Moses as the one approached by the people's initiative.
כֻּלְּכֶם֒all of youN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of וַתִּקְרְבוּן, in emphatic apposition/resumptionכֹּל (H3605) with 2mp suffix, 'all of you' — emphasizes the unanimity (or totalizing rhetoric) of the people's approach, heightening their collective responsibility for the proposal that follows.
וַתֹּאמְר֗וּand you saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing the people's proposal in direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; wayyiqtol introducing the quoted proposal that follows — the people's own words, not a divine command.
נִשְׁלְחָ֤הlet us sendQal cohortative 1cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (cohortative) of the quoted proposal — main clause of direct speech→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional proposal — 'let us send,' the people's own initiative, not a divine directiveשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; cohortative 1cp, 'let us send' — the verb of the people's self-initiated proposal, sharply distinct from Numbers 13:2 where YHWH tells Moses שְׁלַח לְךָ, 'send for yourself.'
אֲנָשִׁים֙menN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of נִשְׁלְחָהאִישׁ (H376) plural, 'men' — the scouts to be sent, left unnamed here (contrast Numbers 13's roster of twelve named tribal representatives).
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּbefore usprep לְ + N c/b pl constr + 1cp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location modifying נִשְׁלְחָהפָּנִים (H6440) idiom לִפְנֵי + suffix, 'before us, ahead of us' — the scouts are to go in advance of the main body.
וְיַחְפְּרוּthat they may search outconj וְ + Qal impf(jussive) 3mp · חָפַר (H2658)Purpose/result clause continuing the volitional force of נִשְׁלְחָה→ Yiqtol (purpose/jussive continuation): 'that they may search out/spy out' — the intended outcome of sending themחָפַר (H2658) 'to dig, search out, explore'; used of reconnaissance, 'search out (the land)' — the stated purpose the people give for the mission.
לָ֖נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְIndirect object/benefactive complement of וְיַחְפְּרוּלְ (preposition) with 1cp suffix, 'for us' — the people as beneficiaries of the scouting.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of וְיַחְפְּרוּאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the object to be searched out.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c/b sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וְיַחְפְּרוּאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article, the land promised to Israel, now to be reconnoitered at the people's own request.
וְיָשִׁ֤בוּand (that) they may bring backconj וְ + Hiphil impf(jussive) 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Purpose/result clause continuing the volitional chain, coordinate with וְיַחְפְּרוּ→ Yiqtol (purpose/jussive continuation), Hiphil causative: 'that they may bring back' a reportשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Hiphil causative, 'to bring back, return (something)' — here of returning with a report.
אֹתָ֨נוּ֙[obj] us / to usobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Indirect complement (recipient) of וְיָשִׁבוּ, functioning benefactivelyאֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix; here used in a benefactive/dative-like sense with וְיָשִׁבוּ (sometimes analyzed as 'bring back to us'), 'us' as recipients of the report.
דָּבָ֔רword/reportN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְיָשִׁבוּדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, report, matter'; the scouting report the people request — echoing the same noun used of the 'hard case' in v.17 and the 'things' commanded in v.18, and picked up again as הַדָּבָר, the (good) report of v.25.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing a second object of the requested reportאֵת (H853), marking הַדֶּרֶךְ as a further definite object of the scouts' intended report.
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N c/b sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Second object (in apposition to דָּבָר) specifying the content of the reportדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; with article, 'the way/route' — one of two specific items (route and cities) the people want reported back.
אֲשֶׁ֣רby whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'by which (we should go up).'
נַעֲלֶהwe should go upQal impf 1cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/deliberative — 'by which we should/would go up'עָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; imperfect expressing the anticipated future ascent into the hill country, the same verb of Moses' command in v.21.
בָּ֔הּon it/by itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase resuming הַדֶּרֶךְ (feminine), completing the relative clauseבְּ (preposition) with 3fs suffix referring back to הַדֶּרֶךְ ('the way,' feminine), 'by it' — resumptive pronoun typical of Hebrew relative clauses.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinated direct-object marker introducing the second item of the requested reportאֵת (H853) with conjunction, introducing הֶעָרִים as the second coordinate object of the scouts' report.
הֶֽעָרִ֔יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Second coordinate object of the report, parallel to הַדֶּרֶךְעִיר (H5892) 'city'; plural with article, 'the cities' — the fortified towns the scouts are to report on, a detail matching the spies' actual findings in Numbers 13:28.
אֲשֶׁ֥רinto whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הֶעָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'into which (we shall come).'
נָבֹ֖אwe shall comeQal impf 1cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future — 'into which we shall/will come'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; imperfect, anticipating the eventual entry into the cities — the same verb used of the people's arrival at Kadesh in v.19 and Moses' announcement in v.20.
אֲלֵיהֶֽןinto themprep אֶל + 3fp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase resuming הֶעָרִים (feminine plural), completing the relative clauseאֶל (H413) with 3fp suffix, referring back to הֶעָרִים ('the cities,' feminine plural), 'into them' — resumptive pronoun closing the people's proposal.
23

וַיִּיטַ֥ב בְּעֵינַ֖י הַדָּבָ֑ר וָאֶקַּ֤ח מִכֶּם֙ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֣ר אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אִ֥ישׁ אֶחָ֖ד לַשָּֽׁבֶט

And the thing was good in my eyes, and I took from you twelve men, one man per tribe.

Narrative compliance — Moses approves the people's proposaland
Moses narrates his own assent (וַיִּיטֵַב, 'it was good in my eyes') to the people's proposal of v.22, then executes it by selecting twelve men, one per tribe — quietly matching (without divine command) the tribal structure of Numbers 13's spy roster.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּיטַ֥בwas goodQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' approval reported as the next eventיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, pleasing'; wayyiqtol, 'and it was good' — Moses' personal endorsement of the people's proposal, picking up טוֹב-vocabulary that recurs ironically in the 'good report' of v.25.
בְּעֵינַ֖יin my eyesprep בְּ + N c/b dual constr + 1cs suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase of judgment/estimation modifying וַיִּיטַבעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual with 1cs suffix; idiom 'in my eyes' — Moses' own subjective approval of the proposal, not (yet) an explicit report of divine sanction.
הַדָּבָ֑רthe thing/proposalart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of וַיִּיטַבדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; with article, 'the thing/matter' — refers back to the people's proposal in v.22, the same noun that will recur as the (good) report in v.25.
וָאֶקַּ֤חand I tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' executive action following his approvalלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; wayyiqtol 1cs, Moses' own first-person selection of the twelve men, executing what the people had proposed.
מִכֶּם֙from youprep מִן + 2mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source modifying וָאֶקַּחמִן (H4480) with 2mp suffix, 'from you' — the twelve men are drawn from the people themselves, one representative per tribe.
שְׁנֵ֣יםtwocardinal numeral m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)First element of the compound numeral 'twelve' modifying אֲנָשִׁיםשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual form paired with עָשָׂר to form 'twelve' (lit. 'two-ten'), the number matching Israel's twelve tribes.
עָשָׂ֣ר-teencardinal numeral m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of the compound numeral 'twelve' modifying אֲנָשִׁיםעָשָׂר (H6240) '-teen'; combines with שְׁנַיִם to yield שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, 'twelve.'
אֲנָשִׁ֔יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of וָאֶקַּחאִישׁ (H376) plural, 'men' — the twelve chosen, left unnamed here in contrast to Numbers 13's named roster.
אִ֥ישׁone (each)N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition to אֲנָשִׁים, head of the phrase 'one man per tribe'אִישׁ (H376) singular, used distributively with אֶחָד and לַשָּׁבֶט — 'one man for/per tribe,' specifying the equitable, tribe-by-tribe selection.
אֶחָ֖דonecardinal numeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying אִישׁאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; completes the distributive phrase 'one man,' i.e. a single representative from each tribe.
לַשָּֽׁבֶטper/for the tribeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Distributive prepositional phrase modifying אִישׁ אֶחָדשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; with לְ + article, distributive 'per tribe' — completing the formula 'one man per tribe,' matching Israel's twelve-tribe structure.
24

וַיִּפְנוּ֙ וַיַּעֲל֣וּ הָהָ֔רָה וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ עַד נַ֣חַל אֶשְׁכֹּ֑ל וַֽיְרַגְּל֖וּ אֹתָֽהּ

And they turned and went up into the hill country, and they came as far as the valley of Eshcol, and they scouted it out.

Narrative sequence — itinerary and reconnaissanceand
A chain of wayyiqtol verbs narrates the spies' journey and task in rapid succession. The valley's name Eshcol ('cluster') anticipates the fruit they bring back in v.25, a wordplay linking the place-name to the mission's tangible proof.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּפְנוּ֙and they turnedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the spies' departureפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; wayyiqtol, marking the change of direction as the twelve set out from Kadesh toward the hill country.
וַיַּעֲל֣וּand they went upconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main narrative line), coordinate with וַיִּפְנוּ→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; wayyiqtol, the same verb used of Moses' command in v.21 — the spies now literally do what the people had proposed.
הָהָ֔רָהto the hill countryart + N m sg abs + directional he · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative of direction/goal modifying וַיַּעֲלוּהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; with directional ה, 'to/into the hill country' — the central highland region the spies must ascend to survey.
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּand they cameconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; wayyiqtol, marking arrival at the valley of Eshcol, the same verb of arrival used repeatedly through this itinerary section.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of terminus modifying וַיָּבֹאוּעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the spies' terminus at the valley of Eshcol.
נַ֣חַלvalley/wadi ofN m sg constr · נַחַל (H5158)Construct head of the construct chain 'valley of Eshcol'נַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, valley, torrent-bed'; construct before the place-name אֶשְׁכֹּל.
אֶשְׁכֹּ֑לEshcolproper noun · אֶשְׁכֹּל (H812)Genitive complement in the construct chain נַחַל אֶשְׁכֹּלאֶשְׁכֹּל (H812) place-name identical in form to the common noun 'cluster (of grapes)' — a deliberate pun anticipating the fruit-cluster the spies bring back in v.25 (cf. Numbers 13:23-24).
וַֽיְרַגְּל֖וּand they scouted/spied outconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol, Piel intensive: foregrounded narrative advance — the intensive act of reconnaissanceרָגַל (H7270) 'to go about on foot, spy out'; denominative from רֶגֶל 'foot.' Piel here means 'to spy out, reconnoiter' — the verbal root behind the noun 'spies' implicit throughout this section, and the technical term for the scouting mission itself.
אֹתָֽהּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיְרַגְּלוּאֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to הָהָרָה/הָאָרֶץ (feminine), 'it' — the land or hill country that was scouted.
25

וַיִּקְח֤וּ בְיָדָם֙ מִפְּרִ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיּוֹרִ֖דוּ אֵלֵ֑ינוּ וַיָּשִׁ֨בוּ אֹתָ֤נוּ דָבָר֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ טוֹבָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽנוּ

And they took some of the fruit of the land in their hand and brought it down to us, and they brought back word to us and said, 'The land that YHWH our God is giving us is good.'

Narrative sequence culminating in reported speech — the good reportand
The scouts' action (taking and bringing fruit) issues in direct quotation of their verdict: the land is good. This positive report is the last good news in the pericope — it stands in maximal contrast to the people's refusal that follows immediately in v.26.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיִּקְח֤וּand they tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; wayyiqtol, the spies taking physical fruit as tangible evidence for their report.
בְיָדָם֙in their handprep בְּ + N c/b sg constr + 3mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner modifying וַיִּקְחוּיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'in their hand,' emphasizing the physical, carried proof of the land's fruitfulness.
מִפְּרִ֣יsome of the fruit ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Partitive prepositional phrase, direct object of וַיִּקְחוּפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; partitive מִן, 'some of the fruit' — the grape-cluster and other produce of Eshcol (cf. Numbers 13:23), physical confirmation of the land's goodness.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c/b sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement in the construct phrase 'fruit of the land'אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article, the promised land whose fruit the spies now hold as evidence.
וַיּוֹרִ֖דוּand they brought downconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol, Hiphil causative: foregrounded narrative advance — the spies causing the fruit to descend to the campיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil causative, 'to bring down' — the fruit is carried down from the hill country to Moses and the people at the camp.
אֵלֵ֑ינוּto usprep אֶל + 1cp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal modifying וַיּוֹרִדוּאֶל (H413) with 1cp suffix, 'to us' — Moses and the assembled people as recipients of the fruit and report.
וַיָּשִׁ֨בוּand they brought backconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol, Hiphil causative: foregrounded narrative advance — introducing the delivery of the reportשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Hiphil causative, 'to bring back, return (something)' — here of returning with a spoken report, the same verb-pattern requested by the people in v.22.
אֹתָ֤נוּ[obj] us / to usobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Indirect complement (recipient/benefactive) of וַיָּשִׁבוּאֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix used in a dative-like benefactive sense with the causative verb, 'brought back to us' — Moses and the people as recipients of the scouts' report.
דָבָר֙word/reportN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וַיָּשִׁבוּדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, report'; the scouting report itself, delivering exactly what the people requested in v.22 — here still positive, before the reversal of v.26.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing the quoted verdictאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; wayyiqtol introducing the scouts' direct-speech report, 'the land is good.'
טוֹבָ֣הgoodadjective f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective (fronted, nominal clause: 'good [is] the land')טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the scouts' verdict, echoing the same root as Moses' own approval (וַיִּיטַב) in v.23 — the last unequivocally good word in the pericope before the people's rebellion.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c/b sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of the nominal clause טוֹבָה הָאָרֶץאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article, subject of the scouts' verdict — 'the land is good,' shortly to be contradicted in effect by the people's refusal.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle, 'which (YHWH our God is giving us)' — specifying the land just declared good.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the land-gift within the relative clause.
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God' — covenant relationship formula; the scouts' own confession that this is the land the covenant God is giving, making the people's subsequent refusal a refusal against that very confession.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (participial, main clause of the relative clause)→ Participle: durative/ongoing present — the land-gift presented as YHWH's continuing, current actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; active participle, 'is giving' — the ongoing, present-tense gift of the land, distinct from the completed-fact perfect used elsewhere in the chapter (e.g. v.8, v.21).
לָֽנוּto usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ (preposition) with 1cp suffix, 'to us' — Israel as the beneficiary of the land-gift, closing the scouts' favorable report.
26

וְלֹ֥א אֲבִיתֶ֖ם לַעֲלֹ֑ת וַתַּמְר֕וּ אֶת פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

But you were not willing to go up, and you rebelled against the command of YHWH your God.

Adversative turn — rebellion against the divine commandbut
This is the pivot of the whole pericope: despite the good report just quoted, the people refuse to go up. The verb of rebellion here, from the root meaning 'to rebel, be contentious/refractory,' is the key rebellion-verb governing this entire section — elsewhere used of Israel's paradigmatic wilderness stubbornness (e.g. Ps 106:7, 43) — and here it is directed against 'the mouth (command) of YHWH your God' himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְלֹ֥אbut notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אֲבִיתֶם, marking the adversative turn against the good report of v.25לֹא (H3808) 'not'; with the adversative-waw here functioning as 'but not' — the negation that pivots the narrative from good report to rebellion.
אֲבִיתֶ֖םyou were willingQal perf 2mp · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (main clause), negated by לֹא→ Perfective, negated: a settled, decisive refusal — 'you were not willing'אָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; almost always negated in the Hebrew Bible ('to refuse'), as here — the people's flat unwillingness to act on the good report just delivered.
לַעֲלֹ֑תto go upprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Complementary infinitive completing אֲבִיתֶם→ Infinitive of purpose/complement: the specific act refused — going up to take the landעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; infinitive construct, the very action commanded in v.21 and now explicitly refused — the ironic reversal of the twin imperatives עֲלֵה רֵשׁ.
וַתַּמְר֕וּand you rebelledconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 2mp · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate verb (main clause), coordinate with the refusal — climactic verb of the verse→ Wayyiqtol, Hiphil: foregrounded narrative advance naming the act of rebellion as a decisive event, not merely a passive refusalמָרָה (H4784) 'to be rebellious/contentious, defy'; Hiphil, functioning as the key rebellion-verb of this entire pericope (vv.26,43; cf. Ps 106:7,33,43; Ps 78:8,17,40,56). It denotes willful, obstinate defiance of authority — here aimed directly at 'the mouth (command) of YHWH your God,' making explicit that the people's refusal was not mere timidity but active insurrection against the divine word.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of וַתַּמְרוּאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking פִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם as the definite object of the people's rebellion.
פִּ֥יmouth/command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Construct head of 'the mouth/command of YHWH your God', direct object of וַתַּמְרוּפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom 'the mouth of YHWH' denotes his spoken command — rebelling against 'the mouth' personalizes the offense as defiance of YHWH's own voice, not merely an abstract instruction.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in the construct chain 'the mouth of YHWH your God'יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one whose spoken command the people defied.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional title in construct with יְהוָה, closing the verseאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God' — covenant relationship formula, making the rebellion all the sharper: defiance against one's own covenant God.
27

וַתֵּרָגְנ֤וּ בְאָהֳלֵיכֶם֙ וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ בְּשִׂנְאַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ אֹתָ֔נוּ הוֹצִיאָ֖נוּ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לָתֵ֥ת אֹתָ֛נוּ בְּיַ֥ד הָאֱמֹרִ֖י לְהַשְׁמִידֵֽנוּ

And you murmured/grumbled in your tents and said, 'Because YHWH hates us, he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.'

Escalation — grumbling and quoted accusation against YHWHand
The rebellion of v.26 escalates into grumbling and then into direct speech containing the most severe accusation in the chapter: that YHWH's motive in the exodus was hatred, not deliverance. This inverts the entire exodus-salvation narrative into a charge of divine malice and betrayal — a shocking accusation that the translation must preserve without softening.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַתֵּרָגְנ֤וּand you murmured/grumbledconj וְ + Niphal wayyiqtol 2mp · רָגַן (H7279)Predicate verb (main narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol, Niphal: foregrounded narrative advance — the people's grumbling reported as the next event, escalating beyond the rebellion of v.26רָגַן (H7279) 'to murmur, grumble'; Niphal, used almost exclusively of Israel's complaining against YHWH in the wilderness (cf. Ps 106:25) — the private, tent-bound counterpart to the public rebellion just narrated.
בְאָהֳלֵיכֶם֙in your tentsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֹהֶל (H168)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location modifying וַתֵּרָגְנוּאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the private, domestic setting of the grumbling — contrasted with the public rebellion 'against the mouth of YHWH' in v.26, showing how quickly complaint against God spreads even into private life.
וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand you saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing the quoted accusationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; wayyiqtol introducing the people's shocking direct-speech accusation against YHWH.
בְּשִׂנְאַ֤תbecause of the hatred ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · שִׂנְאָה (H8135)Causal prepositional phrase, fronted for emphasis, governing the quoted accusationשִׂנְאָה (H8135) 'hatred'; construct with the causal-instrumental בְּ, 'because of/in the hatred of YHWH' — the shocking premise of the people's accusation, inverting YHWH's covenant love (cf. Deut 7:8) into imputed malice.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in the construct phrase 'the hatred of YHWH'יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; astonishingly cast here as the subject of 'hatred' — the very God who delivered Israel from Egypt is accused of secretly hating them.
אֹתָ֔נוּ[obj] usobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Object of the verbal idea in שִׂנְאַת (objective genitive-like use), 'his hating us'אֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix, 'us' — the object of YHWH's supposed hatred, the people casting themselves as the victims of divine malice rather than recipients of covenant grace.
הוֹצִיאָ֖נוּhe has brought us outHiphil perf 3ms + 1cp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause of the quoted accusation)→ Perfective, Hiphil causative: a completed act of deliverance — grotesquely reinterpreted by the speakers as an act of malice rather than salvationיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil causative, 'to bring out' — the standard exodus-deliverance verb (cf. Exod 20:2) now recast by the people as evidence of YHWH's hatred rather than his saving grace, a total inversion of the exodus confession.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c/b sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Prepositional phrase of source modifying הוֹצִיאָנוּאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct before מִצְרָיִם, 'from the land of Egypt' — the place of the exodus, now referenced within the people's accusation of divine hatred.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement in the construct chain 'the land of Egypt'מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the land of bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel — here reframed by the people as the launching-point of an alleged plot against them.
לָתֵ֥תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitive modifying הוֹצִיאָנוּ within the accusation→ Infinitive of (alleged) purpose: 'in order to give us' — the supposed malicious intent behind the exodusנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; infinitive construct expressing purpose — the same verb elsewhere used of YHWH graciously giving the land (vv.8,21,25), here twisted into the purpose of handing Israel over to destruction.
אֹתָ֛נוּ[obj] usobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לָתֵתאֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix, 'us' — Israel cast as the object to be handed over, per the people's accusation.
בְּיַ֥דinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c/b sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of goal/recipient modifying לָתֵתיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'into the hand of' — standard idiom for being delivered into an enemy's power, here alleged as YHWH's purpose.
הָאֱמֹרִ֖יthe Amorite(s)art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement in the construct chain 'the hand of the Amorite'אֱמֹרִי (H567) gentilic, 'Amorite'; collective singular with article standing for the Amorite peoples of the hill country — the very inhabitants the spies had scouted, now cast by the people as YHWH's chosen instrument of their destruction.
לְהַשְׁמִידֵֽנוּto destroy usprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 1cp suffix · שָׁמַד (H8045)Purpose infinitive continuing/intensifying לָתֵת, climax of the quoted accusation→ Infinitive of (alleged) purpose, Hiphil causative: 'in order to destroy us' — the accusation's final, most extreme claimשָׁמַד (H8045) 'to destroy, annihilate'; Hiphil infinitive construct, the ultimate charge of the people's accusation — that YHWH's entire exodus deliverance was, from the start, aimed at their annihilation. The verse closes on this word, leaving the accusation at its most extreme and unanswered until Moses' reply begins in v.29.
28

אָנָ֣ה אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹלִ֗ים אַחֵינוּ֩ הֵמַ֨סּוּ אֶת לְבָבֵ֜נוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר עַ֣ם גָּד֤וֹל וָרָם֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וּבְצוּרֹ֖ת בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְגַם בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָקִ֖ים רָאִ֥ינוּ שָֽׁם

'Where can we go up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, "The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified to heaven; and moreover, we saw the sons of the Anakim there."'

Embedded quoted speech (continued) — fear-driven rhetorical escalationasyndeton
Still within the people's quoted accusation begun in v.27, this verse piles up fear-rhetoric: a rhetorical question ('where can we go up?'), a report that their brothers' report melted their courage, and an embedded quotation-within-a-quotation citing the size of the people, the fortifications of the cities, and the Anakim giants (cf. Numbers 13:33) — the classic ingredients of the spies' demoralizing report.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
אָנָ֣הwhere?interrogative adverb · אָנָה (H575)Interrogative adverb opening a rhetorical question, main clauseאָנָה (H575) 'where? whither?'; opens a rhetorical (not genuine) question — the people's despair rendered as a question with no acceptable answer, functioning as another refusal in disguise.
אֲנַ֣חְנוּweindependent pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of the participial clause אֲנַחְנוּ עֹלִיםאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; independent pronoun, emphatic subject of the rhetorical question about going up.
עֹלִ֗יםgoing upQal ptc m pl abs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate participle of the rhetorical question introduced by אָנָה→ Participle: durative/immediate — 'are we (to be) going up?' — the same key verb of ascent from vv.21,24,26, now voiced as despairing questionעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; participle, continuing the chapter's repeated verb of ascent — here voiced not as command or report but as a rhetorical cry of despair: 'where can we possibly go up?'
אַחֵינוּ֩our brothersN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of הֵמַסּוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 1cp suffix, 'our brothers' — likely referring to the ten spies (of the twelve) who gave the discouraging report (cf. Numbers 13:31-33), here framed by the people as trusted kin whose word demoralized them.
הֵמַ֨סּוּhave made meltHiphil perf 3cp · מָסַס (H4549)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective, Hiphil causative: a completed, decisive psychological effect — courage dissolved into fearמָסַס (H4549) 'to melt, dissolve'; Hiphil causative, 'to cause to melt' — vivid idiom for terror overwhelming resolve, the brothers' report liquefying the people's courage before they even reach the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of הֵמַסּוּאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking לְבָבֵנוּ as the definite direct object of the melting.
לְבָבֵ֜נוּour heartN m sg constr + 1cp suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Direct object of הֵמַסּוּלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, inner self'; the seat of courage and resolve, here reported as dissolved by the discouraging report — courage failing before the campaign even begins.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces the embedded quotation of the brothers' discouraging report→ Infinitive construct (quotative): standard formula introducing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; infinitive construct לֵאמֹר, the standard quotative marker introducing the embedded content of the brothers' fear-inducing report.
עַ֣םa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of the embedded nominal clause (quoted report)עַם (H5971) 'people'; subject of the quoted description of the land's inhabitants — echoing Numbers 13:28's report of a strong people.
גָּד֤וֹלgreat/numerousadjective m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Predicate adjective describing עַם (nominal clause)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, numerous'; describing the size/strength of the land's population — the first item in the fear-report's escalating list.
וָרָם֙and tall/toweringconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · רוּם (H7311)Predicate participle (used adjectivally), coordinate with גָּדוֹל, describing עַם→ Participle used adjectivally: a standing quality, 'tall, towering' — describing physical statureרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, exalted'; Qal participle functioning adjectivally, 'tall, towering' — describing the imposing physical stature of the land's inhabitants, part of the fear-inducing description echoed in Numbers 13:32-33.
מִמֶּ֔נּוּthan weprep מִן + 1cp suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying גָּדוֹל וָרָםמִן (H4480) with 1cp suffix, comparative 'than we' — 'greater and taller than we,' the demoralizing comparison at the heart of the report.
עָרִ֛יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Subject of a second embedded nominal clause (quoted report)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; plural, subject of the report's second escalating claim about fortifications, matching Numbers 13:28's report of great, fortified cities.
גְּדֹלֹ֥תgreatadjective f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Predicate adjective describing עָרִים (nominal clause)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; same adjective as applied to the people above, now describing the size of the fortified cities.
וּבְצוּרֹ֖תand fortifiedconj וְ + adjective f pl abs · בָּצוּר (H1219)Predicate adjective coordinate with גְּדֹלֹת, describing עָרִיםבָּצוּר (H1219) 'fortified, inaccessible'; from בָּצַר 'to cut off, make inaccessible' — describing the walled, defensible cities that intimidate the people, hyperbolically said to reach 'to heaven.'
בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִםto the heavensprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Adverbial prepositional phrase of hyperbolic extent modifying בְּצֻרֹתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; hyperbolic idiom 'fortified to (the) heavens' — exaggerated rhetoric of overwhelming, insurmountable defenses (cf. the same hyperbole in Numbers 13:28's tone).
וְגַםand moreover/alsoconj וְ + particle · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic particle introducing the report's climactic final claimגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, moreover'; emphatic particle introducing the culminating and most alarming detail — the sighting of the Anakim.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct head of 'the sons of the Anakim', direct object of רָאִינוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct before עֲנָקִים, 'sons of the Anakim' — idiomatic for members of that clan/people.
עֲנָקִ֖יםAnakimN m pl abs · עֲנָק (H6062)Genitive complement in the construct phrase 'sons of the Anakim'עֲנָק (H6062) 'Anak, Anakim'; a clan of legendary giants inhabiting the hill country (cf. Numbers 13:33, where the spies compare themselves to grasshoppers beside them) — the single most terrifying detail of the report.
רָאִ֥ינוּwe have seenQal perf 1cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, main clause of the quoted report→ Perfective: a completed, firsthand act of witness — lending the report the authority of eyewitness testimonyרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; perfect, 'we have seen' — the claim of firsthand sight lending the terrifying report credibility and urgency, echoing Numbers 13:28,33's eyewitness spy report.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of location modifying רָאִינוּ, closing the quoted reportשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; locative adverb, referring back to the hill country the spies scouted — closing the fear-report on the sight of the giants in the land itself.
29

וָאֹמַ֖ר אֲלֵכֶ֑ם לֹא תַֽעַרְצ֥וּן וְֽלֹא תִֽירְא֖וּן מֵהֶֽם

But I said to you, 'Do not be terrified or afraid of them.'

Narrative resumption — Moses' rebuttal beginsasyndeton
Moses resumes the narrating first-person voice ('and I said') to introduce his own reply, which runs from here through v.33. Its opening command — 'do not be terrified or afraid of them' — directly answers the fear expressed in v.28's quoted speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וָאֹמַ֖רbut I saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main narrative line), resuming Moses' first-person voice and introducing his reply→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' rebuttal begins here and runs through v.33אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; wayyiqtol, marking Moses' return to the narrating voice to answer the people's fear-filled accusation with his own reassuring speech.
אֲלֵכֶ֑םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal modifying וָאֹמַראֶל (H413) with 2mp suffix, 'to you' — Moses addressing the people directly with his reassurance.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the jussive/imperfect תַעַרְצוּן, opening Moses' commandלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negating the volitional imperfect that follows — 'do not be terrified,' the first word of Moses' reassuring rebuttal.
תַֽעַרְצ֥וּןbe terrified/dreadQal impf 2mp + paragogic nun · עָרַץ (H6206)Predicate verb (volitional/prohibitive, negated by לֹא)→ Volitional (prohibitive imperfect): a command against an emotional-psychological state — 'do not be terrified'עָרַץ (H6206) 'to tremble, be terrified, dread'; imperfect with emphatic paragogic nun, negated to form a prohibition — Moses' direct, urgent answer to the fear voiced in v.28's report of the Anakim and fortified cities.
וְֽלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the jussive/imperfect תִירְאוּן, coordinate second prohibitionלֹא (H3808) 'not'; second negation, paired with the first to form Moses' twin reassurance, 'do not be terrified or afraid.'
תִֽירְא֖וּןbe afraidQal impf 2mp + paragogic nun · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (volitional/prohibitive, negated by וְלֹא), coordinate with תַעַרְצוּן→ Volitional (prohibitive imperfect): a command against fear — 'do not be afraid'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, be afraid'; imperfect with paragogic nun, negated — the standard verb of fear, paired with עָרַץ to form Moses' emphatic double reassurance opening his rebuttal speech.
מֵהֶֽםof themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source/cause modifying both תַעַרְצוּן and תִירְאוּןמִן (H4480) with 3mp suffix, 'of/from them' — referring to the Amorites and Anakim just described in v.28, the objects of the forbidden fear that closes Moses' opening command.
30

יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ הַהֹלֵ֣ךְ לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם ה֖וּא יִלָּחֵ֣ם לָכֶ֑ם כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֧ה אִתְּכֶ֛ם בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם

YHWH your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, according to all he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

Basis/grounds for the preceding exhortation not to fearasyndeton
Moses grounds the command 'do not fear' (v.29) in YHWH's proven character as divine warrior, appealing to the exodus deliverance witnessed firsthand ('before your eyes') as precedent for present trust.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
יְהוָ֤הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (divine name, casus pendens resumed by הוּא)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of God (Tetragrammaton); here the subject of the sentence, resumed by the emphatic pronoun הוּא.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙your GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (genitival/appositive phrase)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God'; plural form used with singular meaning for the one true God, in covenantal apposition to the divine name.
הַהֹלֵ֣ךְwho goesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive/substantival participle modifying YHWH (relative-clause equivalent)→ Participle: durative, characterizing action — an ongoing attribute of YHWHהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; the articular participle functions as a relative clause, 'the one who goes/is going before you' — a title recalling YHWH's guiding presence (cf. v.33; Exod 13:21).
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying הַהֹלֵךְפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' in construct with לְ, idiomatic 'before, in front of'; here spatial precedence, YHWH going ahead as vanguard/leader.
ה֖וּאheindependent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive emphatic subject (resuming the fronted casus pendens יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם)הוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun; resumes and emphasizes the extraposed subject, 'HE (and no other) will fight for you.'
יִלָּחֵ֣םwill fightNiphal impf 3ms · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfect: future/durative — an ongoing divine commitment to fight on Israel's behalfלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal is the ordinary stem for this verb; the divine-warrior motif, YHWH fighting Israel's battles (cf. Exod 14:14).
לָכֶ֑םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffixAdverbial complement (beneficiary) of יִלָּחֵםלְ preposition with 2mp suffix, marking the beneficiary — 'on your behalf, for your sake.'
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative/manner prepositional phrase introducing the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole' with comparative כְּ, 'according to all (that)'; introduces a comparison to YHWH's prior acts in Egypt.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle, 'that, which, who.'
עָשָׂ֧הhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed past act, recalling the exodus deliverance as settled precedentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, act'; here of YHWH's mighty acts on Israel's behalf in Egypt.
אִתְּכֶ֛םwith youprep אֵת + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial complement (accompaniment) of עָשָׂהאֵת (H854) 'with' (preposition of accompaniment, distinct from the object marker אֵת H853); 'did [it] with/for you.'
בְּמִצְרַ֖יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt (dual form referring to Upper and Lower Egypt); site of the exodus deliverance now invoked as proof of YHWH's power.
לְעֵינֵיכֶֽםbefore your eyesprep לְ + N c du constr + 2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/witness)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual form, with לְ, idiomatic 'before your eyes, in your sight' — stressing firsthand, unmediated eyewitness of YHWH's acts, heightening the culpability of subsequent unbelief.
31

וּבַמִּדְבָּר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָאִ֔יתָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נְשָׂאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר יִשָּׂא אִ֖ישׁ אֶת בְּנ֑וֹ בְּכָל הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֲלַכְתֶּ֔ם עַד בֹּאֲכֶ֖ם עַד הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

and in the wilderness, where you saw how YHWH your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.

Coordinate expansion — a second, more intimate ground (paternal care) supplementing v.30's warrior imageand
The chapter's central simile: YHWH carrying Israel like a father carries a son. Reuses the verb נשא from v.12, where Moses alone could not 'bear' (שאת) the people's weight; here the burden is revealed to have been borne by YHWH himself throughout the journey, reframing the leadership crisis of vv.9-18 in light of divine sustenance.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וּבַמִּדְבָּר֙and in the wildernessconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phrase (fronted, extends the scene of v.30)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; fronted for emphasis, shifting the scene from Egypt (v.30) to the wilderness journey — the second, more intimate proof of YHWH's care.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַמִּדְבָּראֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; here locative, 'in which, where.'
רָאִ֔יתָyou sawQal perf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: completed, firsthand experienceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 2ms — Moses addresses the generation as eyewitnesses of what follows, reinforcing the theme of culpable unbelief despite direct experience.
אֲשֶׁ֤רhowrelative/complementizer particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces the content clause of רָאִיתָ ('you saw that/how...')אֲשֶׁר (H834); here functioning almost as a complementizer, 'that, how' — introducing the content of what was seen.
נְשָׂאֲךָ֙he carried youQal perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb of the content clause (object = 2ms suffix)→ Perfective: a completed act viewed in its totality, summarizing the whole wilderness journeyנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the key verbal echo of the chapter — the same root Moses used in v.12 for his own inability to 'bear' (שְׂאֵת) the people's weight alone. Here it is revealed that YHWH himself was carrying Israel the entire time, like a father his son — reframing the burden-sharing crisis of vv.9-18 as ultimately borne by God.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נְשָׂאֲךָיְהוָה (H3068), the divine name, subject of the carrying/bearing action.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, in apposition to the divine name, stressing the personal covenant relationship (singular 'you' here, shifting from the 2mp of the surrounding verses).
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the simile clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + אֲשֶׁר), 'just as, according as'; introduces the chapter's central simile of paternal carrying.
יִשָּׂאcarriesQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Imperfect: gnomic/habitual — a general, timeless truth about paternal careנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, bear'; gnomic imperfect describing the customary way a father carries his son — the vehicle of the simile whose tenor is YHWH's care for Israel (v.31a).
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִשָּׂאאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; here generic, 'a man (any man, i.e., a father).'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object בְּנוֹ; untranslated in English.
בְּנ֑וֹhis sonN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יִשָּׂאבֵּן (H1121) 'son', with 3ms suffix; completes the simile — the intimate, protective care of a father carrying his own child.
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (extent) modifying the main clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole', construct before הַדֶּרֶךְ, 'in the whole way/entire journey.'
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Genitive complement of בְּכָל (construct chain)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; here the entire wilderness itinerary from Egypt to this point.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'that (way) which.'
הֲלַכְתֶּ֔םyou walkedQal perf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: completed action summarizing the whole journeyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; 2mp, addressing the whole people as those who journeyed together.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition introducing the terminal clauseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the terminus of the journey just described.
בֹּאֲכֶ֖םyour comingQal inf constr + 2mp suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Object of preposition עַד (temporal infinitive clause)→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, 'until your coming/arrival'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; infinitive construct with pronominal subject, 'until you came.'
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition of destination, parallel to the first עַדעַד (H5704), repeated preposition marking the destination, 'to this place' — epexegetical specification of בֹּאֲכֶם.
הַמָּק֥וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of preposition עַדמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; here the plains of Moab, the present location of Moses' address (cf. 1:1, 5).
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמָּקוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictic, pointing to the immediate locale of the speech, underscoring the retrospective sweep of the entire wilderness journey now concluded.
32

וּבַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה אֵֽינְכֶם֙ מַאֲמִינִ֔ם בַּיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

But in this matter you did not believe in YHWH your God,

Adversative — the failure that answers/undercuts the preceding groundsbut
The theological hinge of the chapter: despite the warrior-God and father-God portrait just given (vv.30-31), the generation did not 'believe' (Hiphil of אמן). This verse names Israel's sin for what it fundamentally is — not merely fear of giants but a failure of trust in YHWH's character.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּבַדָּבָ֖רbut in this matterconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Adversative fronted prepositional phrase (topic-marking)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; fronted with adversative force ('but in this matter...'), pivoting from YHWH's demonstrated faithfulness (vv.30-31) to Israel's failure.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies 'this matter' as the preceding demonstration of divine care and guidance.
אֵֽינְכֶם֙you were notnegative particle of existence + 2mp suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negator of the predicate participle מַאֲמִינִם (negated verbless/participial clause)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not', with pronominal suffix functioning as a negated copula before a participle — 'you were not (believing)/you did not believe.'
מַאֲמִינִ֔םbelievingHiphil ptc m pl abs · אָמַן (H539)Predicate participle (negated by אֵינְכֶם) — main verbal idea of the clause→ Participle: durative/characterizing state, here negated — an ongoing failure of trust rather than a single lapseאָמַן (H539), root of 'āmēn'; Hiphil הֶאֱמִין means 'to believe, trust, consider firm/reliable' (causative-declarative of the Qal 'to be firm, faithful'). This negated participle is the theological crux of the chapter: Israel's sin at Kadesh-barnea is diagnosed not primarily as fear of the Anakim but as a fundamental refusal to regard YHWH as trustworthy — a failure of 'amen,' of settled confidence in his word and character.
בַּיהוָ֖הin YHWHprep בְּ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the participle מַאֲמִינִם (object of trust)יְהוָה (H3068); הֶאֱמִין בְּ is the standard idiom 'to believe/trust in,' governing the personal object of faith.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, in apposition, closing the verse by naming precisely whom Israel failed to trust — their own covenant God.
33

הַהֹלֵ֨ךְ לִפְנֵיכֶ֜ם בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ לָת֥וּר לָכֶ֛ם מָק֖וֹם לַֽחֲנֹֽתְכֶ֑ם בָּאֵ֣שׁ לַ֗יְלָה לַרְאֹֽתְכֶם֙ בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽלְכוּ בָ֔הּ וּבֶעָנָ֖ן יוֹמָֽם

who went before you in the way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night, to show you the way you should go, and in the cloud by day.

Appositional/relative expansion further describing YHWH's guiding presence (resumes 'who goes before you' from v.30)asyndeton
Elaborates the 'goes before you' motif of v.30 with concrete guidance imagery — fire and cloud — recalling Exodus 13:21-22; intensifies the indictment of v.32 by piling up evidence of YHWH's manifest guidance that Israel still refused to trust.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
הַהֹלֵ֨ךְwho goesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Substantival/attributive participle resuming the description of YHWH from v.30→ Participle: durative, characterizing actionהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; repeats the articular participle of v.30, resuming and expanding the 'goes before you' motif with concrete detail (fire, cloud).
לִפְנֵיכֶ֜םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying הַהֹלֵךְפָּנִים (H6440) with לְ, 'before, in front of'; identical phrase to v.30, tying the two descriptions together.
בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location/mannerדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the path of the wilderness journey along which YHWH went ahead.
לָת֥וּרto seek outprep לְ + Qal inf constr · תּוּר (H8446)Purpose infinitive clause modifying הַהֹלֵךְ→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose/result — expresses the goal of YHWH's going aheadתּוּר (H8446) 'to seek out, explore, spy out'; the same root used of the spies' scouting mission (Num 13); an ironic echo — YHWH himself 'scouted' the way while the human spies' report produced unbelief.
לָכֶ֛םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffixAdverbial complement (beneficiary) of לָתוּרלְ preposition with 2mp suffix, 'for you, on your behalf.'
מָק֖וֹםa placeN m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Direct object of the infinitive לָתוּרמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the object sought, a suitable campsite.
לַֽחֲנֹֽתְכֶ֑םfor you to encampprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · חָנָה (H2583)Purpose infinitive clause modifying מָקוֹם ('a place to encamp')→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purposeחָנָה (H2583) 'to camp, encamp'; specifies the purpose of the sought-out place — where Israel would pitch camp at each stage of the journey.
בָּאֵ֣שׁin fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means/manner)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; recalls the pillar of fire by night (cf. Exod 13:21-22), the visible form of YHWH's guiding presence in darkness.
לַ֗יְלָהby nightN m sg abs (adverbial) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; adverbial use, 'by night,' paired chiastically with יוֹמָם 'by day' at the verse's end.
לַרְאֹֽתְכֶם֙to show youprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2mp suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitive clause (result of the fire/cloud)→ Infinitive construct with לְ, Hiphil (causative): purpose — 'to cause you to see/to show you'רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Hiphil 'to show, cause to see' — the fire and cloud functioned to reveal the route, making visible the way Israel should go.
בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial complement of לַרְאֹתְכֶם (the thing shown)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way'; repeated for emphasis — the way YHWH showed is the way Israel should walk.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
תֵּֽלְכוּyou should goQal impf 2mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the relative clause (modal/deontic)→ Imperfect: modal/deontic — 'the way in which you should/must go'יָלַךְ (H3212), the suppletive imperfect root of הָלַךְ 'to go, walk'; imperfect carries obligatory/deontic nuance, the way Israel was directed to travel.
בָ֔הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase resuming הַדֶּרֶךְ (referring back, fem. noun)בְּ preposition with 3fs suffix referring back to דֶּרֶךְ (fem.), 'in it/on it.'
וּבֶעָנָ֖ןand in the cloudconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phrase, paired with בָּאֵשׁעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; paired with אֵשׁ, forming the classic day/night guidance pair — cloud by day, fire by night (Exod 13:21).
יוֹמָֽםby dayadverb · יוֹמָם (H3119)Adverbial complement of time, paired chiastically with לַיְלָהיוֹמָם (H3119) 'by day, daily'; completes the day/night merism describing YHWH's continuous guiding presence.
34

וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה אֶת ק֣וֹל דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם וַיִּקְצֹ֖ף וַיִּשָּׁבַ֥ע לֵאמֹֽר

And YHWH heard the sound of your words, and was angered, and swore, saying,

Narrative sequence — YHWH's response to the unbelief just describedand
Introduces the divine response and formal oath of judgment; the wayyiqtol chain (heard, was angered, swore) marks the narrative pivot from indictment (v.32) to sentence (vv.35ff), YHWH's anger triggered specifically by 'the sound of your words' — the murmuring provoked by the spies' fearful report.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥עand he heardwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main narrative verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal narrative turn from indictment to judgmentשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; opens a chain of three wayyiqtols (heard, was angered, swore) marking YHWH's response to the people's unbelief.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the wayyiqtol chainיְהוָה (H3068), subject of all three following verbs (heard, was angered, swore).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object קוֹל דִּבְרֵיכֶם; untranslated in English.
ק֣וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁמַע (construct head)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; in construct with דִּבְרֵיכֶם, 'the sound/report of your words' — referring to the people's fearful grumbling in response to the spies' report (v.28).
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑םyour wordsN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of קוֹל (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here the murmuring complaints of the people that provoked YHWH's anger.
וַיִּקְצֹ֖ףand he was angeredwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָצַף (H7107)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's immediate response to hearingקָצַף (H7107) 'to be angry, wrathful'; often used of divine anger provoked by covenant unfaithfulness.
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֥עand he sworewaw-consec + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the formal oath→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive legal/covenantal act of oath-takingשָׁבַע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear (an oath)', denominative from שֶׁבַע 'seven' (the number of oath-sealing); introduces the binding, irrevocable divine oath of judgment that follows in vv.35-36.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitive construct: functions as a quotation marker, not independently tensedאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula לֵאמֹר introduces the content of the oath that follows.
35

אִם יִרְאֶ֥ה אִישׁ֙ בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה הַדּ֥וֹר הָרָ֖ע הַזֶּ֑ה אֵ֚ת הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבַּ֔עְתִּי לָתֵ֖ת לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם

Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers,

Direct-speech content of the oath (asyndetic conditional oath formula) introduced by לֵאמֹר in v.34asyndeton
Employs the classic Hebrew oath formula 'im + yiqtol' (a suppressed self-curse), functioning as an emphatic negative: 'not one of these men shall see.' Condemns 'this evil generation' collectively to death short of the promised land.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
אִם[oath negation:] surely notconditional/oath particle · אִם (H518)Introduces the negative oath formula (suppressed self-imprecation, equivalent to 'shall not')אִם (H518) 'if'; in oath contexts functions as an emphatic negation (an implied self-curse formula, 'if X, [then may such-and-such happen to me]' = 'X shall certainly not [happen]'). Here: 'not one of these men shall see...'
יִרְאֶ֥הshall seeQal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the oath clause (negated by אִם)→ Imperfect: modal, negated by the oath particle — categorical future negationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the promised land, previously the object of hoped-for sight, now emphatically denied to this generation.
אִישׁ֙anyoneN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִרְאֶהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with the negating oath particle, functions as 'not a single one, no one.'
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣יםamong the menprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Partitive prepositional phrase modifying אִישׁאִישׁ (H376), plural, with partitive בְּ, 'among these men' — specifying the whole condemned generation.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאֲנָשִׁיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the generation now present, standing under Moses' rebuke.
הַדּ֥וֹרthe generationart + N m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Apposition to הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה, specifying them collectivelyדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; collective term summarizing 'these men' as a single condemned cohort.
הָרָ֖עevilart + adjective m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying הַדּוֹררַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; a stock Deuteronomic epithet for the rebellious wilderness generation (cf. Num 14, and Deuteronomy's repeated moral evaluation of this episode).
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדּוֹרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the triple demonstrative/descriptive indictment, 'this evil generation.'
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה; untranslated in English.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of יִרְאֶהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land, object of the denied sight.
הַטּוֹבָ֔הthe goodart + adjective f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying הָאָרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the standard Deuteronomic epithet for the promised land (cf. 1:25, 35; 8:7-10).
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
נִשְׁבַּ֔עְתִּיI sworeNiphal perf 1cs · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the relative clause (divine first-person speech)→ Perfective: a completed, prior oath — the patriarchal promise now recalled as the ground of the land grantשָׁבַע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear'; here YHWH's own first-person recollection of his earlier oath to the patriarchs (Gen 15, 22, 26, 28), the ancient promise whose fulfillment this generation forfeits.
לָתֵ֖תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose/complementary infinitive clause completing נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose/complement of the oathנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; specifies the content of the oath — the gift of the land.
לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽםto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of לָתֵתאָב (H1) 'father', plural with 2mp suffix; the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), original recipients of the land oath — the reason the promise itself remains unshaken even though this generation is barred from seeing it fulfilled.
36

זֽוּלָתִ֞י כָּלֵ֤ב בֶּן יְפֻנֶּה֙ ה֣וּא יִרְאֶ֔נָּה וְלֽוֹ אֶתֵּ֧ן אֶת הָאָ֛רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דָּֽרַךְ בָּ֖הּ וּלְבָנָ֑יו יַ֕עַן אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִלֵּ֖א אַחֲרֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him I will give the land on which he trod, and to his children, because he wholly followed YHWH.

Exceptive clause — carves out the sole exception to the blanket judgment of v.35except
Caleb is singled out because he 'wholly followed YHWH' (מִלֵּא אַחֲרֵי יְהוָה), an idiom of undivided loyalty; this exception clause anticipates Joshua's parallel exception in v.38 and grounds the land-inheritance traditions of Joshua 14:6-14.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
זֽוּלָתִ֞יexceptprep/particle of exception · זוּלָתִי (H2108)Exceptive particle introducing the sole exception to the oath of v.35זוּלָתִי (H2108) 'except, besides, apart from'; rare exceptive particle marking Caleb as the single exemption from the sentence just pronounced.
כָּלֵ֤בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Subject of the exceptive clause (in apposition to the excepted party)כָּלֵב (H3612) 'Caleb' (possibly related to 'dog' or a root meaning 'whole-hearted/bold'); one of the twelve spies (Num 13-14) whose faithful report contrasted with the majority's fear.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct head of the patronymic phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son', construct before the father's name — standard patronymic identification.
יְפֻנֶּה֙Jephunnehproper noun · יְפֻנֶּה (H3312)Genitive complement of בֶּן (construct chain)יְפֻנֶּה (H3312) 'Jephunneh', Caleb's father, a Kenizzite (cf. Num 32:12; Josh 14:6, 14).
ה֣וּאheindependent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive emphatic subject of יִרְאֶנָּההוּא (H1931), emphatic 3ms pronoun, 'HE (in contrast to all the rest) shall see it.'
יִרְאֶ֔נָּהshall see itQal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb with pronominal object (referring to הָאָרֶץ)→ Imperfect: modal/future — an emphatic positive counterpart to the negated יִרְאֶה of v.35רָאָה (H7200) 'to see', with 3fs suffix referring back to הָאָרֶץ (fem.); deliberately echoes and reverses the negated verb of v.35 — Caleb alone will see what the rest are barred from seeing.
וְלֽוֹand to himconj וְ + prep לְ + 3ms suffixCoordinate adverbial prepositional phrase (fronted indirect object) of אֶתֵּןלְ preposition with 3ms suffix, fronted for emphasis, 'and to him (specifically)...'
אֶתֵּ֧ןI will giveQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, divine first-person speech)→ Imperfect: future — YHWH's direct promissory grant to Calebנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; first-person divine promise, paralleling and specifying the oath of v.35 in Caleb's favor.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object הָאָרֶץ; untranslated in English.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of אֶתֵּןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here specifically the territory Caleb personally scouted (cf. Josh 14:9).
אֲשֶׁ֥רon whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
דָּֽרַךְhe trodQal perf 3ms · דָּרַךְ (H1869)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: completed act — Caleb's personal scouting of the landדָּרַךְ (H1869) 'to tread, march, walk upon'; recalls Caleb's actual footsteps during the spy mission (Num 13:22, Hebron), the literal ground of his inheritance claim (cf. Josh 14:9, 'the land on which your foot trod').
בָּ֖הּon itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixAdverbial complement of דָּרַךְ, resuming הָאָרֶץבְּ preposition with 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ, 'upon it.'
וּלְבָנָ֑יוand to his childrenconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate indirect object extending the grant of אֶתֵּן to Caleb's descendantsבֵּן (H1121) 'son', plural with 3ms suffix, 'his sons/children'; extends the land grant beyond Caleb himself to his lineage (cf. Josh 15, the Calebite territorial claims).
יַ֕עַןbecauseconjunction · יַעַן (H3282)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for Caleb's exceptionיַעַן (H3282) 'because, on account of'; causal particle, here paired with אֲשֶׁר to form the compound יַעַן אֲשֶׁר 'because.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רrelative/complementizer particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Completes the causal conjunction יַעַן אֲשֶׁר ('because')אֲשֶׁר (H834), here combining with יַעַן as a compound causal conjunction, 'because.'
מִלֵּ֖אhe wholly followedPiel perf 3ms · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: completed, characterizing act — sums up Caleb's entire conduct as one of undivided loyaltyמָלֵא (H4390) 'to fill, be full'; Piel here in the idiom מִלֵּא אַחֲרֵי, literally 'he filled after,' i.e., 'he fully/wholly followed' — a distinctive Hebrew idiom for total, undivided devotion (cf. Num 14:24; 32:12), contrasted with the majority's half-hearted, faithless following.
אַחֲרֵ֥יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Preposition completing the idiom מִלֵּא אַחֲרֵיאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with מִלֵּא forms the idiom of wholehearted following.
יְהוָֽהYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵייְהוָה (H3068); the object of Caleb's undivided devotion, and the standard by which his exceptional faithfulness is measured against the unbelieving generation of v.32.
37

גַּם בִּי֙ הִתְאַנַּ֣ף יְהוָ֔ה בִּגְלַלְכֶ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר גַּם אַתָּ֖ה לֹא תָבֹ֥א שָֽׁם

Also against me YHWH was angry on your account, saying, 'You also shall not go in there.'

Additive clause extending the judgment of vv.35-36 to include Moses himselfalso
The chapter's most striking exegetical crux: Moses attributes his own exclusion from the land to divine anger 'on your account' (בִּגְלַלְכֶם), because of/for the sake of the people — a distinctively Deuteronomic reframing that stands in tension with Numbers 20:12, 20:24, and 27:14, where Moses' exclusion is tied to his own unbelief in striking the rock at Meribah. Here, in his sermonic retrospective, Moses folds his fate into Israel's collective guilt, casting himself in solidarity with the condemned generation rather than singling out his personal failure — without adjudicating which account is more original, this is best read as a deliberate theological/rhetorical move suited to the hortatory purpose of Deuteronomy's opening address.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
גַּםalsoadverb/particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive/focus particle marking Moses as an additional party affectedגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, moreover'; fronted for emphasis, 'also against me' — signals that Moses too falls under divine anger, extending the judgment beyond the unbelieving generation.
בִּי֙against meprep בְּ + 1cs suffixAdverbial complement (object of anger) of הִתְאַנַּף, fronted for emphasisבְּ preposition with 1cs suffix; with הִתְאַנַּף בְּ, 'to be angry against/with (someone)' — Moses names himself as the target of divine wrath.
הִתְאַנַּ֣ףwas angryHitpael perf 3ms · אָנַף (H599)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine angerאָנַף (H599), Hitpael 'to be(come) angry'; a strong term for divine wrath, used here of YHWH's anger directed at Moses himself — the same anger-concept (though a different verb, קָצַף) that appeared in v.34 regarding the people.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִתְאַנַּףיְהוָה (H3068), subject — YHWH's anger now falls on Moses as well as on the people.
בִּגְלַלְכֶ֖םon account of youprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · גָּלָל (H1558)Adverbial prepositional phrase of cause modifying הִתְאַנַּףגָּלָל (H1558) 'that which is rolled, matter, cause,' from the root גָּלַל 'to roll'; בִּגְלַל is a compound causal preposition, '(rolled) on account of, because of.' This is the chapter's second major exegetical crux: Moses attributes his own exclusion from the land to the people's rebellion ('because of you'), in tension with Numbers 20:12, 20:24, and 27:14, where his exclusion is instead tied to his own failure to trust YHWH at the waters of Meribah. Deuteronomy's sermonic retrospective here folds Moses' fate into Israel's collective guilt — a distinct theological framing, not a contradiction to be resolved but a rhetorical recasting suited to Moses' hortatory purpose (without adjudicating which account is more original).
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitive construct: functions as a quotation markerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the divine pronouncement barring Moses from the land.
גַּםalsoadverb/particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive/focus particle within the divine speech, echoing the גַּם of v.37aגַּם (H1571) 'also'; repeats the particle from the verse's opening, 'you ALSO shall not enter' — YHWH's own words confirming Moses' inclusion in the judgment.
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject of תָבֹא (negated)אַתָּה (H859), emphatic independent pronoun, 'YOU (Moses) also' — singling out Moses within the divine speech.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the predicate verb תָבֹאלֹא (H3808), standard verbal negative, here forming the flat, categorical denial 'you shall not enter.'
תָבֹ֥אshall enterQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (negated main clause of the divine speech)→ Imperfect: modal/future, negated — categorical future denial mirroring the exclusion pronounced on the people in v.35בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; echoes the same verb used in v.31 of Israel's 'coming' to this place — Moses, unlike the new generation about to enter, will not himself 'come' into the land.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of place, modifying תָבֹאשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; referring to the promised land, the destination now doubly barred — to this generation (v.35) and to Moses himself (v.37).
38

יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בִּן נוּן֙ הָעֹמֵ֣ד לְפָנֶ֔יךָ ה֖וּא יָ֣בֹא שָׁ֑מָּה אֹת֣וֹ חַזֵּ֔ק כִּי ה֖וּא יַנְחִלֶ֥נָּה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there; strengthen him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Divine commissioning (contrastive continuation)asyndeton
Asyndetic, front-loaded naming of Joshua marks a sharp topic shift from Moses' exclusion (v.37) to Joshua's commissioning; the imperative חַזְּקֵהוּ addressed to Moses turns Moses himself into the agent of succession, softening the preceding judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject (proper name, fronted for emphasis)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses' longtime aide (cf. Exod 17, Num 13-14), named first and emphatically as the one who will succeed where Moses cannot.
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genealogical identification)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct with נוּן, identifying Joshua by patronym, the standard biographical formula.
נוּן֙NunN proper · נוּן (H5126)Genitive (construct chain completion)נוּן (H5126), Joshua's father's name; meaning uncertain, possibly related to 'fish' or a West Semitic root; otherwise an unknown figure.
הָעֹמֵ֣דwho standsart + Qal ptc m sg · עָמַד (H5975)Attributive participle modifying יְהוֹשֻׁעַ→ Participle: durative, characterizing state — one who continually stands/attendsעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; here of attendance/service, describing Joshua's characteristic role as Moses' assistant who 'stands before' him in continual readiness.
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr/Sp2ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial complement of עֹמֵד (locative/relational)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the idiom לִפְנֵי + suffix means 'in your presence, attending you' — Joshua's subordinate service to Moses up to this moment.
ה֖וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject pronoun (casus pendens resumption)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; resumes the fronted, extraposed subject 'Joshua...who stands before you' with emphatic 'he' before the verb יָבֹא.
יָ֣בֹאhe shall go inQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — he will/shall enterבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; here of entering the land, the verb that has structured the whole chapter's promise-and-denial pattern (cf. vv.35,37,38,39).
שָׁ֑מָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of place, modifying יָבֹאשָׁם (H8033) with directional ה suffix, 'to there'; referring to the promised land, now granted to Joshua in place of the excluded generation.
אֹת֣וֹhimobj marker + Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix; fronted before the imperative חַזֵּק for emphasis — 'him, strengthen (him)' — highlighting Joshua as the object of encouragement.
חַזֵּ֔קstrengthenPiel impv 2ms · חָזַק (H2388)Imperative (command to Moses)→ Volitional: urgent charge to embolden Joshua for the task aheadחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong'; Piel here causative, 'strengthen, embolden'; the same charge God will repeat directly to Joshua in 3:28 and 31:23.
כִּיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; grounds the command to strengthen Joshua in his coming role as the one who will give Israel the land.
ה֖וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic subject pronoun (fronted before verb)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun, fronted for emphasis before יַנְחִלֶנָּה — 'he (and not you, Moses) is the one who will cause Israel to inherit it.'
יַנְחִלֶ֥נָּהhe shall cause it to be inheritedHiphil impf 3ms/Sp3fs · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb (main clause, causal)→ Yiqtol: future — a causative act of allotment/inheritanceנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession'; Hiphil causative 'cause to inherit, allot as a possession'; the 3fs suffix refers back to the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite direct object of יַנְחִלֶנָּה — Israel is the one caused to inherit, the land being the further, suffixed object.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object (definite, marked by preceding אֶת)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people, here the object caused to inherit the land through Joshua's leadership.
39

וְטַפְּכֶם֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲמַרְתֶּ֜ם לָבַ֣ז יִהְיֶ֗ה וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא יָדְע֤וּ הַיּוֹם֙ ט֣וֹב וָרָ֔ע הֵ֖מָּה יָבֹ֣אוּ שָׁ֑מָּה וְלָהֶ֣ם אֶתְּנֶ֔נָּה וְהֵ֖ם יִירָשֽׁוּהָּ

And your little ones, whom you said would become plunder, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there, and to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.

Coordinate continuation, expanding the beneficiaries of inheritanceand
The waw-coordination extends the promise from Joshua to the next generation as a class; the relative clauses (אֲשֶׁר) recall the people's own fearful words from the spy narrative and reverse them — the ones judged too vulnerable to survive are precisely the ones granted possession, since moral non-culpability (not yet knowing good and evil) exempts them from the verdict of v.35.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְטַפְּכֶם֩and your little onesconj וְ + N m sg constr/Sp2mp · טַף (H2945)Subject (fronted, resumed by הֵמָּה below)טַף (H2945) 'little ones, children'; collective noun for the youngest, most vulnerable members of the community, here fronted as the topic of the sentence.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying טַפְּכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the clause recalling the people's own earlier words of fear (cf. Num 14:3).
אֲמַרְתֶּ֜םyou saidQal perf 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed past speech-act being recalledאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; recalls the people's fearful claim in the spy narrative that their children would become plunder (cf. Num 14:3, 31).
לָבַ֣זfor plunderprep לְ + N m sg abs · בַּז (H957)Predicate complement of יִהְיֶהבַּז (H957) 'plunder, spoil'; the feared fate the people projected onto their children, now overturned by the promise that follows.
יִהְיֶ֗הwould becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future within past reported fear — 'would become'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here expressing the people's anticipated (feared) future outcome for their children.
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶםand your childrenconj וְ + N m pl constr/Sp2mp · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (coordinate with טַפְּכֶם, resumed by הֵמָּה)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural 'sons/children,' paired with טַף to designate the whole rising generation as heirs in place of their parents.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying בְּנֵיכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the description of the children as morally non-culpable, the theological ground for their inheritance.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָדְעוּלֹא (H3808) simple negative particle 'not'; negates the children's knowledge, marking them as too young for moral responsibility.
יָדְע֤וּthey knewQal perf 3cp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective/stative: a state of (non-)knowledge holding up to the presentיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here of moral discernment — the children 'do not know good and evil,' an idiom for pre-moral innocence (cf. Gen 2:9; Isa 7:15-16).
הַיּוֹם֙todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of time modifying יָדְעוּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article as adverbial 'today, now', anchoring the children's innocence to the present narrated moment.
ט֣וֹבgoodadj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object (paired with וָרָע) of יָדְעוּטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; paired with רַע in the merism 'good and evil,' the idiom for full moral discernment which these children lack.
וָרָ֔עand evilconj וְ + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object (paired with טוֹב) of יָדְעוּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; completing the merism טוֹב וָרָע, 'good and evil' — a totalizing idiom for moral knowledge, not a reference to two specific things.
הֵ֖מָּהtheyindependent pron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Resumptive subject pronoun (resumes טַפְּכֶם...וּבְנֵיכֶם)הֵמָּה (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun; resumes the long fronted double subject (little ones and children) before the main verb, emphatic 'they' in contrast to the excluded adults.
יָבֹ֣אוּthey shall go inQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future — they will enterבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; echoes v.38's יָבֹא for Joshua, now extended to the children as well.
שָׁ֑מָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of place, modifying יָבֹאוּשָׁם (H8033) with directional ה, 'to there'; the promised land, granted here to the next generation.
וְלָהֶ֣םand to themconj וְ + prep לְ + Sp3mpIndirect object (dative), fronted for emphasis before אֶתְּנֶנָּהלְ (prep) 'to, for' with 3mp suffix; fronted to emphasize the beneficiaries — 'to them, (specifically), I will give it.'
אֶתְּנֶ֔נָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs/Sp3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, divine first-person promise)→ Yiqtol: future — a divine promissory actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; first-person divine speech embedded in Moses' recollection, promising the land (3fs suffix) to the new generation.
וְהֵ֖םand theyconj וְ + independent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject (coordinate clause)הֵם (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun; resumptive subject introducing the final coordinate clause, 'and they shall possess it.'
יִירָשֽׁוּהָּthey shall possess itQal impf 3mp/Sp3fs · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future — culminating act of possessionיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; the climactic verb of the land-promise pattern, here fulfilled by the generation of the innocent rather than the condemned.
40

וְאַתֶּ֖ם פְּנ֣וּ לָכֶ֑ם וּסְע֥וּ הַמִּדְבָּ֖רָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ יַם סֽוּף

But as for you, turn and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.

Adversative contrast (disjunctive command)asyndeton
The fronted, disjunctive וְאַתֶּם ('but as for you') isolates the condemned generation from Joshua and the children just named, and the double imperative פְּנוּ...וּסְעוּ reverses the whole forward momentum of the chapter, sending the people back into the wilderness they thought they had left behind.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאַתֶּ֖םbut as for youconj וְ + independent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Disjunctive fronted subject (contrastive 'but you')אַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; fronted with disjunctive וְ to sharply contrast this condemned generation with Joshua and the children just promised entry.
פְּנ֣וּturnQal impv 2mp · פָּנָה (H6437)Imperative (command, first of a paired command)→ Volitional: an urgent directive to reverse directionפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; here 'turn around, face about' — commanding a literal reversal of the march toward the land.
לָכֶ֑םfor yourselvesprep לְ + Sp2mpReflexive/ethical-dative complement of פְּנוּלְ (prep) with 2mp suffix; the ethical dative idiom פְּנוּ לָכֶם, 'turn yourselves,' intensifying the imperative — a decisive, personal about-face.
וּסְע֥וּand set outwaw + Qal impv 2mp · נָסַע (H5265)Imperative (command, second of paired command)→ Volitional: continuing directive, journey resumed in reverseנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent-pegs), set out, journey'; the standard verb for breaking camp, here directing departure back into the wilderness.
הַמִּדְבָּ֖רָהto the wildernessart + N m sg abs + directional he · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial complement of direction, modifying סְעוּמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; with directional ה, 'toward the wilderness' — the very terrain Israel thought it had left behind at the border of the land.
דֶּ֥רֶךְby the way ofN c sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Construct chain (adverbial accusative, route)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; in construct with יַם סוּף, specifying the route of the reversed journey.
יַםsea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Construct chain (place name)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; in construct with סוּף forming the place-name יַם סוּף, 'Sea of Reeds/Red Sea.'
סֽוּףReedsN m sg abs · סוּף (H5488)Genitive (construct chain completion, place name)סוּף (H5488) 'reed(s), rush'; completing יַם סוּף, 'Sea of Reeds,' traditionally rendered 'Red Sea' — the direction of the Exodus route, now retraced in reverse.
41

וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ וַתֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלַ֗י חָטָאנוּ֮ לַֽיהוָה֒ אֲנַ֤חְנוּ נַעֲלֶה֙ וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֖נוּ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּ אִ֚ישׁ אֶת כְּלֵ֣י מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ לַעֲלֹ֥ת הָהָֽרָה

Then you answered and said to me, 'We have sinned against YHWH; we ourselves will go up and fight, according to all that YHWH our God commanded us.' And you girded on, each man, his weapons of war, and you acted presumptuously in going up into the hill country.

Narrative response, reported speech followed by presumptuous actionthen
The people's confession חָטָאנוּ sounds like repentance but is immediately redefined as another act of self-will: they claim divine warrant ('according to all that YHWH commanded') for a plan YHWH never gave, and וַתָּהִינוּ ('you acted presumptuously') exposes the confession as hollow, a second rebellion mirroring the first.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּthen you answeredconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · עָנָה (H6030)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; opens the people's reply, the first of a pair of response verbs (עָנָה...אָמַר) introducing direct speech.
וַתֹּאמְר֣וּand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard verb introducing direct quotation, here the people's confession-turned-presumption.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + Sp1cs · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement (indirect object) of וַתֹּאמְרוּאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 1cs suffix, marking Moses as recipient of the people's speech.
חָטָאנוּ֮we have sinnedQal perf 1cp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (direct quotation, main clause of the confession)→ Perfective: a completed act acknowledged (confession)חָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; an apparent confession that proves hollow, since it is immediately followed by another act of self-will rather than submission.
לַֽיהוָה֒against YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Adverbial complement (object of sin) of חָטָאנוּיְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God; with לְ, 'against YHWH' — the object against whom the sin (original refusal to enter the land) was committed.
אֲנַ֤חְנוּweindependent pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Emphatic fronted subject of new clauseאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 1cp independent pronoun; emphatically fronted, 'we ourselves will go up' — signaling self-willed initiative rather than obedience to a divine command.
נַעֲלֶה֙we will go upQal impf 1cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (cohortative-force yiqtol, direct quotation)→ Yiqtol/volitional: self-determined resolve to actעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the same verb that will recur in YHWH's prohibition (v.42) and the people's disobedient action (v.43), tracking the whole presumption-and-defeat sequence.
וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּand we will fightconj וְ + Niphal impf 1cp · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (coordinate with נַעֲלֶה)→ Yiqtol/volitional: resolve to engage in battleלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal here reciprocal/middle sense 'engage in battle,' paired with 'go up' as the people's self-authorized war plan.
כְּכֹ֥לaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative/manner prepositional phrase modifying the preceding verbsכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; with כְּ, 'according to all that,' the people's claim to be merely obeying — a claim the narrative shows to be false, since YHWH gave no such command.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'that, which'; introduces the (false) claim of a divine command matching their plan.
צִוָּ֖נוּhe commanded usPiel perf 3ms/Sp1cp · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of command being (mis)claimedצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel. The people invoke divine command to legitimate a plan YHWH never authorized — the narrative's next verses (42-43) expose this claim as false.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּנוּיְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God, subject of the (misapplied) claim of command.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl constr/Sp1cp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty with 1cp suffix, 'our God,' in apposition to יְהוָה — the people invoke the covenant relationship even while acting outside it.
וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּand you girded onconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · חָגַר (H2296)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, narrator resumes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָגַר (H2296) 'to gird (on), bind about the waist'; of donning weapons for battle, describing the people's active military preparation.
אִ֚ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition to the subject (2mp 'you' of וַתַּחְגְּרוּ)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; used distributively, 'each man/every man,' emphasizing universal participation in the presumptuous arming.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כְּלֵי מִלְחַמְתּוֹ as the definite direct object of וַתַּחְגְּרוּ.
כְּלֵ֣יweapons ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct chain (direct object)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement, weapon'; plural construct 'implements/weapons of,' in construct with מִלְחָמָה.
מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹhis warN f sg constr/Sp3ms · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive (construct chain completion)מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; with 3ms suffix distributive with אִישׁ, 'his weapons of war' — each man's own battle gear.
וַתָּהִ֖ינוּand you acted presumptuouslyconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 2mp · הוּן/הִין (H1951)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, evaluative comment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, with pejorative evaluative forceהוּן (H1951), rare root 'to be heedless, act rashly/presumptuously'; found elsewhere only at Num 14:44 in this sense — the narrator's own verdict on the people's self-willed military venture, framing it as reckless overconfidence rather than faith.
לַעֲלֹ֥תto go upprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Infinitival complement of וַתָּהִינוּ (purpose/result)→ Infinitive construct: expresses the presumptuous action itself as complementעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; infinitive construct with לְ, specifying the content of the people's rash presumption — going up into the hill country against divine warning.
הָהָֽרָהinto the hill countryart + N m sg abs + directional he · הַר (H2022)Adverbial complement of direction, modifying לַעֲלֹתהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; with directional ה, 'to/into the hill country' — the same terrain named in the earlier promise (v.7) and now approached in disobedient self-will.
42

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אֱמֹ֤ר לָהֶם֙ לֹ֤א תַֽעֲלוּ֙ וְלֹא תִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וּ כִּ֥י אֵינֶ֖נִּי בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם וְלֹא֙ תִּנָּֽגְפ֔וּ לִפְנֵ֖י אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם

And YHWH said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not go up and do not fight, for I am not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies."'

Divine speech, embedded warning (reported command within reported command)and
YHWH's reply is nested reported speech (Moses reporting YHWH commanding Moses to speak to the people), and its center, כִּי אֵינֶנִּי בְּקִרְבְּכֶם ('for I am not among you'), directly negates the earlier assurance that YHWH goes before them (v.30) — presumption has forfeited the very presence that made conquest possible.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, introduces divine speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's direct response to the people's presumptuous plan, shifting the discourse to embedded divine speech.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God, subject of the warning that follows.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + Sp1cs · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement (indirect object) of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 1cs suffix, YHWH speaks to Moses, who must relay the message to the people.
אֱמֹ֤רsayQal impv 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Imperative (embedded command, opens quoted divine speech)→ Volitional: a directive to relay a messageאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; imperative opening YHWH's instruction to Moses to relay a prohibition to the people.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + Sp3mpAdverbial complement (indirect object) of אֱמֹרלְ (prep) with 3mp suffix, 'to them'; identifies the people as the addressees of the relayed prohibition.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַעֲלוּלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates the first of the paired prohibitions, 'do not go up.'
תַֽעֲלוּ֙you shall go upQal impf 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause of embedded speech)→ Yiqtol used as prohibitive/jussive: negated commandעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the same verb the people used in their self-willed resolve (v.41), now explicitly forbidden by YHWH.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִלָּחֲמוּ (coordinate prohibition)לֹא (H3808) negative particle; coordinated with the first prohibition, 'and do not fight.'
תִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וּyou shall fightNiphal impf 2mp · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (prohibition, coordinate with תַעֲלוּ)→ Yiqtol used as prohibitive: negated commandלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal, echoing the people's own וְנִלְחַמְנוּ in v.41, now forbidden.
כִּ֥יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; introduces the reason for the prohibition — the withdrawal of divine presence.
אֵינֶ֖נִּיI am notnegative existential particle + Sp1cs · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of nominal clause (negated existence, main clause of ground)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; with 1cs suffix, 'I am not (here/among you)' — the key theological statement of the verse, reversing v.30's promise that YHWH goes before them.
בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑םin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp2mp · קֶרֶב (H7130)Predicate complement (locative) of אֵינֶנִּיקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; with בְּ and 2mp suffix, 'in your midst' — the withdrawal of YHWH's accompanying presence is the direct cause of the coming defeat.
וְלֹא֙lestconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Introduces negative result/purpose clause (lest you be struck down)לֹא (H3808) negative particle; here functioning with the following yiqtol as a negative purpose/result clause, 'lest, so that not.'
תִּנָּֽגְפ֔וּyou be struck downNiphal impf 2mp · נָגַף (H5062)Predicate verb (negative result clause)→ Yiqtol/passive-reflexive: anticipated consequence, 'be struck down/defeated'נָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, smite'; Niphal passive 'be struck down, defeated' — the concrete military consequence YHWH warns will follow presumption without his presence.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial complement (locative) of תִּנָּגְפוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי, 'before, in the presence of,' here of standing exposed before enemies rather than before YHWH.
אֹיְבֵיכֶֽםyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/Sp2mp · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive (object of לִפְנֵי)אֹיֵב (H341), substantival participle 'enemy, one who is hostile,' from אָיַב 'to be hostile'; with 2mp suffix, the Amorites who will in fact defeat them in v.44.
43

וָאֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם וַתַּמְרוּ֙ אֶת פִּ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וַתָּזִ֖דוּ וַתַּעֲל֥וּ הָהָֽרָה

So I spoke to you, but you did not listen; you rebelled against the command of YHWH and acted insolently, and went up into the hill country.

Narrative resolution, adversative (report of disobedience despite warning)so
וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם ('but you did not listen') pointedly answers v.45's later וְלֹא שָׁמַע יְהוָה, an ironic reversal in which the people's earlier refusal to listen is repaid by God's refusal to listen to their weeping; וַתַּמְרוּ ('you rebelled') reuses the root מָרָה from v.26, showing this second, opposite disobedience as no less rebellious than the first.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וָאֲדַבֵּ֥רso I spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, Moses resumes narration)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, resuming Moses' own narration after the embedded divine speech of v.42, reporting that he relayed YHWH's warning.
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep אֶל + Sp2mp · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement (indirect object) of וָאֲדַבֵּראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 2mp suffix, marking the people as recipients of Moses' relayed warning.
וְלֹ֣אbut notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שְׁמַעְתֶּם (adversative coordination)לֹא (H3808) negative particle; adversative 'but...not,' introducing the people's failure to heed the warning just delivered.
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑םyou listenedQal perf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (failed) act of hearing/obeyingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; negated here, 'you did not listen' — the verb that will recur, ironically reversed, of YHWH's own refusal to listen in v.45.
וַתַּמְרוּ֙you rebelledconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 2mp · מָרָה (H4784)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָרָה (H4784) 'to be rebellious, defiant'; Hiphil, the same root used of the people's earlier refusal to enter the land (v.26), now reused for the opposite act — refusing the command not to go up.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking פִּי יְהוָה as the definite direct object of וַתַּמְרוּ.
פִּ֣יthe mouth/command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Construct chain (direct object, idiomatic)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; construct idiom 'the mouth of YHWH' = his spoken command, the object rebelled against.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God, completing the idiom 'the mouth/command of YHWH.'
וַתָּזִ֖דוּand you acted insolentlyconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 2mp · זִיד/זוּד (H2102)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, evaluative comment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, pejorative evaluative forceזוּד/זִיד (H2102) 'to boil up, act proudly/insolently/presumptuously'; the narrator's second explicit verdict (alongside וַתָּהִינוּ in v.41) on the people's self-willed defiance.
וַתַּעֲל֥וּand you went upconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the forbidden action of v.42 now carried out in open defiance, setting up the defeat of v.44.
הָהָֽרָהinto the hill countryart + N m sg abs + directional he · הַר (H2022)Adverbial complement of direction, modifying תַּעֲלוּהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; with directional ה, repeating the destination of v.41's presumptuous venture, now realized despite the prohibition.
44

וַיֵּצֵ֨א הָאֱמֹרִ֜י הַיֹּשֵׁ֨ב בָּהָ֤ר הַהוּא֙ לִקְרַאתְכֶ֔ם וַיִּרְדְּפ֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה הַדְּבֹרִ֑ים וַֽיַּכְּת֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֛ם בְּשֵׂעִ֖יר עַד חָרְמָֽה

Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah.

Narrative consequence, wayyiqtol sequence (climactic defeat)then
The simile כַּאֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂינָה הַדְּבֹרִים ('as bees do') delivers the chapter's most vivid, almost mocking image — a swarming, relentless, disproportionate harassment (cf. Judg 14:8) that humiliates the presumptuous army; the place-name חָרְמָה ('Hormah,' from the root for 'ban/destruction') puns on the very חֵרֶם the people had hoped to inflict, now inflicted on them.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֵּצֵ֨אthen went outconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; opens the narration of the Amorite counterattack, the consequence of the people's presumptuous ascent.
הָאֱמֹרִ֜יthe Amoriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Subject of וַיֵּצֵאאֱמֹרִי (H567) gentilic 'Amorite'; collective singular for the inhabitants of the hill country, recalling the earlier report that 'the land of the Amorites' was the very destination promised (v.7,20).
הַיֹּשֵׁ֨בwho livedart + Qal ptc m sg · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle modifying הָאֱמֹרִי→ Participle: durative, characterizing state — habitual dwellingיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; participle describing the Amorites as the settled inhabitants of that hill country, the very people Israel presumed to attack unaided.
בָּהָ֤רin that hill countryprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Adverbial complement (locative) of יֹשֵׁבהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; with article and prep, locating the Amorites precisely where Israel went up in defiance (vv.41,43).
הַהוּא֙thatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָהָרהוּא (H1931) here used demonstratively, 'that (hill country)' — anaphoric reference back to the hill country just named in vv.41,43.
לִקְרַאתְכֶ֔םto meet youprep לְ + Qal inf constr/Sp2mp · קָרָא (H7125)Infinitival complement of יֵצֵא (purpose, hostile encounter)→ Infinitive construct: expresses hostile purpose of the going-outקָרָא (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; idiom לִקְרַאת, often of hostile confrontation, 'to meet you (in battle), against you.'
וַיִּרְדְּפ֣וּand chasedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; describes the Amorites' relentless harassment of the fleeing Israelites, set up for the bee simile that follows.
אֶתְכֶ֔ם[obj] youobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object) of וַיִּרְדְּפוּאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; marks Israel as the object of the Amorite pursuit.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רas, just asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing simile clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as, according as'; introduces the simile comparing the Amorite pursuit to bees swarming, the chapter's most vivid image.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ינָהthey doQal impf 3fp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/gnomic — a characteristic, recurring behaviorעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; gnomic yiqtol describing the bees' characteristic swarming behavior, a vivid, almost mocking comparison of the humiliating harassment inflicted on the presumptuous army (cf. Judg 14:8).
הַדְּבֹרִ֑יםthe beesart + N f pl abs · דְּבוֹרָה (H1682)Subject of תַּעֲשֶׂינָהדְּבוֹרָה (H1682) 'bee'; the vivid, almost mocking simile of swarming, relentless, disproportionate harassment — bees pursue and sting in numbers regardless of any real threat, precisely capturing Israel's rout by a smaller force defending its own territory.
וַֽיַּכְּת֥וּand beat downconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · כָּתַת (H3807)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, climactic)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, climactic actionכָּתַת (H3807) 'to crush, beat, pound'; Hiphil, describing the crushing military defeat inflicted on Israel — the climax of the presumption-and-defeat sequence.
אֶתְכֶ֛ם[obj] youobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object) of וַיַּכְּתוּאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; marks Israel as the object beaten down by the Amorites.
בְּשֵׂעִ֖ירin Seirprep בְּ + N proper · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Adverbial complement (locative) of וַיַּכְּתוּשֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir, the hill-country region of Edom bordering the area of the attempted incursion; locates the defeat geographically.
עַדas far aspreposition · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase marking extent (terminus) of the pursuit/defeatעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the geographic extent of the rout, from Seir to Hormah.
חָרְמָֽהHormahN proper · חָרְמָה (H2767)Object of preposition עַד (terminus of extent)חָרְמָה (H2767) 'Hormah,' from the root חרם 'to ban, devote to destruction'; a place-name pun — the very חֵרֶם (destruction) Israel had hoped to inflict on the Amorites instead falls on Israel itself at a place whose name means destruction.
45

וַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּ וַתִּבְכּ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא שָׁמַ֤ע יְהוָה֙ בְּקֹ֣לְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א הֶאֱזִ֖ין אֲלֵיכֶֽם

And you returned and wept before YHWH, but YHWH did not listen to your voice and did not give ear to you.

Narrative consequence, adversative (belated repentance refused)and
The doubled negation וְלֹא שָׁמַע...וְלֹא הֶאֱזִין is the tragic mirror of v.43's וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם: the generation that would not listen to YHWH now finds YHWH will not listen to it, a discourse-level irony that seals the futility of presumptuous, self-willed repentance offered only after judgment has already fallen.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּand you returnedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; describes the defeated army's return from the failed assault, a movement back rather than the forward entry once promised.
וַתִּבְכּ֖וּand you weptconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · בָּכָה (H1058)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, coordinate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; the people's belated emotional response to defeat, a grief that comes only after disobedience rather than as genuine repentance beforehand.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial complement (locative) of וַתִּבְכּוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי, 'before, in the presence of' — the people weep in YHWH's presence, yet this presence does not translate into a hearing.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (object of לִפְנֵי)יְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God, before whom the people weep, though their weeping goes unheeded.
וְלֹֽאbut notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁמַע (adversative coordination)לֹא (H3808) negative particle; adversative 'but...not,' introducing YHWH's refusal to hear despite the people's weeping.
שָׁמַ֤עlistenedQal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (withheld) act of hearingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen'; negated, ironically reversing v.43's 'you did not listen' — now YHWH does not listen, a tragic symmetry of refusal answered by refusal.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of שָׁמַעיְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God, subject of the refusal to hear the people's belated cry.
בְּקֹ֣לְכֶ֔םto your voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp2mp · קוֹל (H6963)Adverbial complement (object of hearing) of שָׁמַעקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; with בְּ and 2mp suffix, idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, 'to listen/heed the voice of' — here explicitly withheld.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הֶאֱזִין (coordinate negated clause)לֹא (H3808) negative particle; coordinates a second, parallel negation, intensifying the refusal — not only did YHWH not hear, he also did not give ear.
הֶאֱזִ֖יןgave earHiphil perf 3ms · אָזַן (H238)Predicate verb (main clause, negated, coordinate with שָׁמַע)→ Perfective: a completed (withheld) act of attentive listeningאָזַן (H238) 'to give ear, listen attentively'; Hiphil, denominative from אֹזֶן 'ear'; paired with שָׁמַע for emphatic double negation of YHWH's attention to the people's cry.
אֲלֵיכֶֽםto youprep אֶל + Sp2mp · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement (indirect object) of הֶאֱזִיןאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 2mp suffix, completing the idiom הֶאֱזִין אֶל, 'to give ear to' — withheld from the people despite their tears.
46

וַתֵּשְׁב֥וּ בְקָדֵ֖שׁ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים כַּיָּמִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשַׁבְתֶּֽם

So you remained in Kadesh many days, the days that you remained.

Closing narrative notice (anticlimactic summary)so
The flat, repetitive closing formula כַּיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר יְשַׁבְתֶּם ('the days that you remained') offers no further incident, only duration — the narrative simply stalls at Kadesh, marking the long, undramatized wilderness delay before the itinerary can resume in chapter 2, and closing the chapter's arc of unbelief, judgment, and frustrated repentance on a note of anticlimax.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַתֵּשְׁב֥וּso you remainedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb, closing notice)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, but anticlimactic — marks a stalling of the narrativeיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; the flat closing verb, marking a long, undramatized halt in the itinerary rather than further incident.
בְקָדֵ֖שׁin Kadeshprep בְּ + N proper · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)Adverbial complement (locative) of וַתֵּשְׁבוּקָדֵשׁ (H6946) Kadesh(-barnea), the site of the spies' report and the people's original refusal to enter the land (v.19,46); the chapter closes where its central crisis began.
יָמִ֣יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural 'days,' marking the extended, unspecified duration of the stay at Kadesh.
רַבִּ֑יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; modifies יָמִים, 'many days' — vague, deliberately imprecise duration underscoring the long delay.
כַּיָּמִ֖יםas the daysprep כְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative prepositional phrase (resumptive, in apposition to יָמִים רַבִּים)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with כְּ and article, 'according to the days' — introduces the flat, tautological closing clause, 'the days that you remained.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying כַּיָּמִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'that, which'; introduces the closing relative clause completing the tautological formula.
יְשַׁבְתֶּֽםyou remainedQal perf 2mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb of relative clause (closing the chapter)→ Perfective: a completed span of dwelling, summarizing without further narrationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; repeats the chapter's recurring verb of settled duration — the narrative simply stalls at Kadesh, the last word of the chapter before the itinerary resumes in ch.2.