Text -- Numbers 32:11 (NET)

32:11 ‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old and upward who came from Egypt will see the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Num 32:11

¹ tn The clause is difficult; it means essentially that “they have not made full [their coming] after” the Lord.

² tn The sentence begins with “if they see….” This is the normal way for Hebrew to express a negative oath – “they will by no means see….” The sentence is elliptical; it is saying something like “[May God do so to me] if they see,” meaning they won’t see. Of course here God is taking the oath, which is an anthropomorphic act. He does not need to take an oath, and certainly could not swear by anyone greater, but it communicates to people his resolve.

³ tc The LXX adds “those knowing bad and good.”

⁴ tn The words “to give” are not in the Hebrew text but have been supplied in the translation for clarity.