Deuteronomy 1:46 - So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 1:46

What does "Deuteronomy 1:46" mean?


Deuteronomy 1:46 says, "So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained." This verse is referring to the Israelites' extended stay in Kadesh-barnea after their initial failure to enter the Promised Land. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"So you stayed in Kadesh many days": The Israelites lingered in Kadesh-barnea for a considerable amount of time.

"according to the days that you remained": This phrase is somewhat repetitive and emphatic. It highlights the fact that their stay in Kadesh was prolonged for as long as it needed to be, and perhaps also for longer than it should have been. It emphasizes the duration of their stay. The Hebrew is literally "according to the days that you stayed," which makes the emphasis on the duration even more apparent.

Why did they stay in Kadesh? After arriving at Kadesh-barnea, Moses sent spies to scout out the land of Canaan. Upon their return, ten of the twelve spies gave a negative report, discouraging the people and filling them with fear. The people, in their unbelief, refused to enter the land. As a result, God decreed that that generation would wander in the wilderness until they died out. Their time in Kadesh marked the beginning of this extended period of wandering.

In essence, Deuteronomy 1:46 serves as a somber reminder of the Israelites' disobedience and the consequences that followed. It marks the start of a period of punishment and wandering, and it underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands.