For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
If you turn away from following him, he will leave them in the wilderness again, and you will be responsible for destroying all these people.
Moses is warning that if they abandon God, He will abandon the Israelites in the wilderness, and they'll be responsible for everyone's destruction.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to settle east of the Jordan River instead of entering Canaan with the rest of Israel, fearing the challenges ahead. Moses warned them that turning away from God's commands would result in the same consequences as the earlier rebellion, where the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their lack of faith. This verse emphasizes the critical need for collective obedience as the nation prepared to claim the Promised Land.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.