Numbers 14:31 Meaning and Explanation
“But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The children the adults feared would be taken captive will actually inherit the land.
The Context of Numbers 14:31
The next generation will inherit the land the parents rejected.
What Does Numbers 14:31 Mean?
There is profound irony and grace in this verse: the very 'little ones' the people feared would become prey to the Canaanites will instead inherit the land themselves. What the adults thought would be a disaster—their children falling into enemy hands—is transformed into blessing. Their children will live and possess what the adults rejected.
This judgment is also merciful: the children are not punished for their parents' rebellion, but they will grow up in the wilderness and eventually enter the land that their parents despised. The land the adults rejected in fear will be known and possessed by the generation that trusts from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 14:31
What does Numbers 14:31 mean?
The children the adults feared would be taken captive will actually inherit the land.
What is the context of Numbers 14:31?
The next generation will inherit the land the parents rejected.