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Deuteronomy 2:14 - Divine justice delays inheritance

Deuteronomy 2:14 - דברים 2:14

Hebrew Text

וְהַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר־הָלַכְנוּ מִקָּדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ עַד אֲשֶׁר־עָבַרְנוּ אֶת־נַחַל זֶרֶד שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁמֹנֶה שָׁנָה עַד־תֹּם כָּל־הַדּוֹר אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה מִקֶּרֶב הַמַּחֲנֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה לָהֶם׃

English Translation

And the days in which we came from Qadesh-Barnea, until we were come over the wadi Zered, were thirty eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord swore to them.

Transliteration

Vehayamim asher-halachnu mikadesh barnea ad asher-avarunu et-nachal zered shloshim ushmoneh shana ad-tom kol-hador anshei hamilchama mikerev hamachane kaasher nishba Adonai lahem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַיָּמִ֞ים אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֣כְנוּ <b>׀</b> מִקָּדֵ֣שׁ בַּרְנֵ֗עַ עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙ אֶת־נַ֣חַל זֶ֔רֶד שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה עַד־תֹּ֨ם כׇּל־הַדּ֜וֹר אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ מִקֶּ֣רֶב הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהֹוָ֖ה לָהֶֽם׃
וְהַיָּמִ֞ים אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֣כְנוּ ׀ מִקָּדֵ֣שׁ בַּרְנֵ֗עַ עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙ אֶת־נַ֣חַל זֶ֔רֶד שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה עַד־תֹּ֨ם כׇּל־הַדּ֜וֹר אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ מִקֶּ֣רֶב הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהֹוָ֖ה לָהֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse from Devarim (Deuteronomy 2:14) recounts the 38-year period during which the generation of the Exodus wandered in the wilderness until they perished, as decreed by Hashem following the sin of the spies (Meraglim). The verse emphasizes the fulfillment of Hashem's oath that none of the men of military age who left Egypt would enter Eretz Yisrael (Bamidbar 14:22-23).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi notes that the 38 years are calculated from the time the spies returned with their negative report until the nation crossed the Nachal Zered. He explains that the first two years of the 40-year decree were spent at Kadesh-Barnea before the wandering began. The phrase "until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out" refers to those aged 20 and above at the time of the sin, who were destined to die in the wilderness (Rashi on Devarim 2:14).

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam, in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 3:50), discusses the divine decree as a consequence of the people's lack of trust in Hashem. He explains that the prolonged wandering was necessary to refine the nation and prepare the next generation—those who did not experience Egyptian slavery—to enter the Land with proper faith and resilience.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Sifrei (Devarim 25) highlights that the phrase "as the Lord swore to them" underscores the absolute truth of Hashem's word—even punishments are carried out with precision.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 9) adds that the 38 years were a period of divine mercy, allowing time for repentance and for the next generation to mature spiritually.

Nachal Zered as a Turning Point

The crossing of Nachal Zered marked the end of the decree, as the last of the condemned generation had died. The Kli Yakar (Devarim 2:14) explains that this wadi symbolized a boundary between the old generation and the new, representing a fresh start for Bnei Yisrael as they prepared to enter the Land.

Lessons from the Verse

  • The severity of the sin of the spies and the consequences of lacking faith in Hashem's promises.
  • The precision of divine justice, as seen in the exact fulfillment of the 38-year decree.
  • The importance of raising a new generation with unwavering trust in Hashem, as exemplified by Yehoshua and Calev.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 2:14 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 2:14 recounts the 38 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after leaving Kadesh-Barnea until crossing the Zered Valley. This period was a punishment from Hashem because the generation that left Egypt lacked faith and rebelled (as described in Numbers 14). The verse emphasizes that all the men of war from that generation died, fulfilling Hashem's oath that they would not enter the Land of Israel.
Q: Why did the Israelites wander for 38 years?
A: The Israelites wandered for 38 years (part of the total 40 years) as a consequence of the sin of the spies (Meraglim) in Numbers 13-14. When the spies brought back a negative report about the Land of Israel, the people lost faith in Hashem and refused to enter. As a result, Hashem decreed that the entire generation of men who were of fighting age (20 years and older) would perish in the wilderness, and only their children would enter the Promised Land (Rashi on Numbers 14:29-35).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 2:14?
A: This verse teaches the importance of trust in Hashem and the consequences of lacking faith. The generation that left Egypt witnessed miracles like the Exodus and the splitting of the Red Sea, yet they still doubted Hashem's promise about the Land of Israel. Their punishment serves as a reminder that faith and gratitude are essential in our relationship with Hashem (Rambam, Hilchot De'ot 2:3).
Q: Why is the Zered Valley mentioned in this verse?
A: The Zered Valley marked a significant turning point in the Israelites' journey. After 38 years of wandering, they crossed this wadi (dry riverbed), symbolizing the end of the old generation's punishment and the beginning of the new generation's march toward the Land of Israel (Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 2:14). It was a geographical and spiritual milestone.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us that challenges and setbacks can be opportunities for growth if we respond with faith. Just as the next generation of Israelites entered the Land after their parents' failure, we must learn from past mistakes and strengthen our trust in Hashem's guidance (Midrash Tanchuma, Shelach 7). It also teaches the importance of raising children with proper values so they can fulfill what their parents could not.