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Numbers 32:15

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 32:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye will destroy all this people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye will destroy all this people.
Numbers 32:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed Jehovah.
13And Jehovah`s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander to and fro in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of Jehovah, was consumed.
14And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers` stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of Jehovah toward Israel.
15For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye will destroy all this people.
16And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
← Numbers 32:14Numbers 32:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For if ye turn away from after him, etc.] From following him in the way of his commandments, from attending his word, worship, and ordinances, and from walking after him, who went before them in a pillar of cloud and fire, as it is suggested they would, should they stop short here and not go over Jordan into the land of Canaan: he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; as he did at the time of the affair of the spies, when they were ordered to turn and get into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, and where they had been ever since unto this time, (<041425>Numbers 14:25), and ye shall destroy all this people; be the cause of their destruction, if the Lord should in such a manner…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“All this people - Who being moved by your counsel and example, will refuse to go over Jordan. Numbers 32:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if ye turn: Lev 26:14-18; Deut. 28:15-68, Deu 30:17-19; Jos 22:16-18; Ch2 7:19-22; Ch2 15:2 he will yet: Num 14:30-35 ye shall: Jer 38:23; Mat 18:7; Rom 14:15, Rom 14:20, Rom 14:21; Co1 8:11, Co1 8:12 Numbers 32:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"If ye draw back behind Him," i.e., resist the fulfilment of the will of God, to bring Israel to Canaan, "He will leave it (Israel) still longer in the desert, and ye prepare destruction for all this nation." Numbers 32:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification