Deuteronomy 1:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite the scouts' positive report, Israel refuses to enter the land, openly rebelling against God's command.
The Context of Deuteronomy 1:26
Israel's refusal to enter the land despite the good report.
What Does Deuteronomy 1:26 Mean?
The turning point: even though the land is confirmed to be good, Israel chooses not to go up and possess it. The phrase "would not go up" is not about inability but about refusal. The verse calls this refusal what it is: rebellion against God's direct command to enter and possess the land.
This rebellion is the central sin of this generation. They have heard the promise, seen the land, received the confirmation of its goodness, and yet they choose disobedience. The label "rebellion" (against the commandment) indicates that their failure is moral, not circumstantial.
Deuteronomy 1:26 in the Original Language
marad (מָרַד), 'rebelled' — to refuse obedience, particularly to God's command; carries the weight of deliberate defiance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 1:26
What does Deuteronomy 1:26 mean?
Despite the scouts' positive report, Israel refuses to enter the land, openly rebelling against God's command.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 1:26?
Israel's refusal to enter the land despite the good report.