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Numbers 32:13 - Divine wrath delays redemption.

Numbers 32:13 - במדבר 32:13

Hebrew Text

וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיְנִעֵם בַּמִּדְבָּר אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה עַד־תֹּם כָּל־הַדּוֹר הָעֹשֶׂה הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה׃

English Translation

And the Lord’s anger burned against Yisra᾽el, and he made them wander in the wilderness for forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed.

Transliteration

Va-yikhar af Adonai be-Yisra'el va-yin'em ba-midbar arba'im shanah ad tom kol ha-dor ha-oseh ha-ra be-einei Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהֹוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְנִעֵם֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר אַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה עַד־תֹּם֙ כׇּל־הַדּ֔וֹר הָעֹשֶׂ֥ה הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃
וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהֹוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְנִעֵם֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר אַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה עַד־תֹּם֙ כׇּל־הַדּ֔וֹר הָעֹשֶׂ֥ה הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Anger and the Forty-Year Wandering

The verse describes Hashem's anger (וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה) toward Bnei Yisrael due to their sinful behavior, particularly the sin of the spies (Meraglim) recounted in Bamidbar 13–14. Rashi (on Bamidbar 14:33) explains that the decree of forty years corresponded to the forty days the spies spent scouting Eretz Yisrael—each day representing a year of wandering. This measure-for-measure punishment (middah k'neged middah) underscores the severity of their lack of faith in Hashem's promise.

The Purpose of the Wilderness

The Ramban (on Bamidbar 14:33) elaborates that the wilderness was not merely a punishment but also a period of purification. The generation that left Egypt (דור המדבר) had been influenced by Egyptian culture and lacked the spiritual fortitude to inherit the Land. The forty years allowed a new generation, raised in the wilderness under divine providence (with the manna, clouds of glory, and Miriam’s well), to develop the necessary emunah (faith) to conquer and settle Eretz Yisrael.

"Until the Entire Generation Was Consumed"

The phrase עַד־תֹּם כָּל־הַדּוֹר הָעֹשֶׂה הָרַע highlights that the decree was specific to those who participated in the sin. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110b) notes that even righteous individuals of that generation, such as Yehoshua and Calev, were subjected to the hardships of the wilderness, as they shared the collective fate of their generation. However, they were spared death in the wilderness due to their faithfulness.

  • Rashi's Emphasis: The forty years served to remove the influence of the "evil generation" so that their children could inherit the land with pure faith.
  • Rambam's Perspective (Hilchot Teshuvah 4:1): The decree demonstrates that even when teshuvah (repentance) is accepted, consequences of sin may remain to teach future generations.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 9): The wilderness period was also a time of divine closeness, as Hashem provided for all their needs, teaching them reliance on Him.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 15a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the consequences of sin and divine punishment.
📖 Sanhedrin 110b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the rebellion of Korach and its repercussions on the Israelites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Hashem angry with the Israelites in Numbers 32:13?
A: Hashem was angry with the Israelites because of the sin of the spies (Meraglim), when they spoke negatively about the Land of Israel and caused the people to lose faith in Hashem's promise. This is explained in Numbers 14, and Rashi (on Numbers 32:13) connects it to their lack of trust in entering the Land.
Q: Why did the Israelites have to wander for 40 years in the wilderness?
A: The 40 years corresponded to the 40 days the spies scouted the Land (one year for each day). During this time, the generation that doubted Hashem's ability to bring them into Israel passed away, as only their children would merit entering the Land. This is based on the Talmud (Taanit 29a) and Rashi's commentary.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 32:13 today?
A: This verse teaches the severity of speaking negatively (lashon hara) and lacking faith in Hashem. The punishment was severe because their words caused national despair. Today, we learn to guard our speech and strengthen our trust in Hashem, especially regarding the Land of Israel, as emphasized in Rambam's Hilchot De'ot (Laws of Proper Conduct).
Q: What does 'the generation that did evil in Hashem's eyes' refer to?
A: It refers to the adults who left Egypt and witnessed Hashem's miracles but still doubted Him when the spies gave a bad report. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:20) explains that their 'evil' was ingratitude and lack of faith, leading to their punishment of dying in the wilderness.
Q: How does this verse connect to repentance (teshuvah)?
A: Though the generation was punished, their children were given a chance to rectify their parents' mistake by entering Israel with faith. This shows that even after consequences, Hashem allows future generations to correct past wrongs. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 7:5) teaches that true repentance requires learning from past mistakes and strengthening one's faith.