Deuteronomy 1:41
New International Version
Then you replied, “We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God commanded us.” So every one of you put on his weapons, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

New Living Translation
“Then you confessed, ‘We have sinned against the LORD! We will go into the land and fight for it, as the LORD our God has commanded us.’ So your men strapped on their weapons, thinking it would be easy to attack the hill country.

English Standard Version
“Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country.

Berean Standard Bible
“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

King James Bible
Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.

New King James Version
“Then you answered and said to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And when everyone of you had girded on his weapons of war, you were ready to go up into the mountain.

New American Standard Bible
“Then you replied to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we ourselves will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every man of you strapped on his weapons of war, and you viewed it as easy to go up into the hill country.

NASB 1995
“Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.

NASB 1977
“Then you answered and said to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against Yahweh; we will indeed go up and fight, just as Yahweh our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.

Amplified Bible
“Then you answered and said to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God has commanded us.’ So you equipped every man with weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.

Christian Standard Bible
“You answered me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ Then each of you put on his weapons of war and thought it would be easy to go up into the hill country.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You answered me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ Then each of you put on his weapons of war and thought it would be easy to go up into the hill country.”

American Standard Version
Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against Jehovah, we will go up and fight, according to all that Jehovah our God commanded us. And ye girded on every man his weapons of war, and were forward to go up into the hill-country.

Contemporary English Version
Then you told me, "We disobeyed the LORD our God, but now we want to obey him. We will go into the hill country and fight, just as he told us to do." So you picked up your weapons, thinking it would be easy to take over the hill country.

English Revised Version
Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And ye girded on every man his weapons of war, and were forward to go up into the mountain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You responded, "We have sinned against the LORD. We'll go and fight, as the LORD our God commanded us to do." Each of you armed yourself for war, thinking you could easily invade the mountain region.

Good News Translation
"You replied, 'Moses, we have sinned against the LORD. But now we will attack, just as the LORD our God commanded us.' Then each one of you got ready to fight, thinking it would be easy to invade the hill country.

International Standard Version
"You responded to me and said, 'We have sinned against the LORD. We will now go up and fight according to what the LORD our God commanded.' So each man put on his weapon for battle and recklessly started out for the hill country."

Majority Standard Bible
“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

NET Bible
Then you responded to me and admitted, "We have sinned against the LORD. We will now go up and fight as the LORD our God has told us to do." So you each put on your battle gear and prepared to go up to the hill country.

New Heart English Bible
Then you answered and said to me, "We have sinned against the LORD our God, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us." Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then ye answered and said to me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to ascend the hill.

World English Bible
Then you answered and said to me, “We have sinned against Yahweh. We will go up and fight, according to all that Yahweh our God commanded us.” Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you answer and say to me, We have sinned against YHWH; we go up and we have fought, according to all that which our God YHWH has commanded us; and you each gird on his weapons of war, and you are ready to go up into the hill-country;

Young's Literal Translation
'And ye answer and say unto me, We have sinned against Jehovah; we -- we go up, and we have fought, according to all that which Jehovah our God hath commanded us; and ye gird on each his weapons of war, and ye are ready to go up into the hill-country;

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye will answer and say to me, We sinned against Jehovah, we will go up and fight according to all that Jehovah our God commanded us. And ye will gird on each the weapon of his fighting, and ye will act lightly to go up to the mountain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you answered me: We have sinned against the Lord: we will go up and fight, as the Lord our God hath commanded. And when you went ready armed unto the mountain,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you responded to me: ‘We have sinned against the Lord. We will ascend and fight, just as the Lord our God has instructed.’ And having been equipped with weapons, when you were setting out for the mountain,

New American Bible
In reply you said to me, “We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up ourselves and fight, just as the LORD, our God, commanded us.” And each of you girded on his weapons, making light of going up into the hill country.

New Revised Standard Version
You answered me, “We have sinned against the LORD! We are ready to go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.” So all of you strapped on your battle gear, and thought it easy to go up into the hill country.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then you answered and said to me, We have sinned against the LORD our God, we will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us. And when you had girded on every man his weapons of war, you were stirred up to go up into the mountain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you answered and you said to me: ‘We have sinned before LORD JEHOVAH our God; we shall go up and we shall fight as LORD JEHOVAH our God commanded us’ and you armed yourselves to a man with the armaments of his war and you stirred yourselves up to go up the mountain.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then ye answered and said unto me: 'We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us.' And ye girded on every man his weapons of war, and deemed it a light thing to go up into the hill-country.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye answered and said, We have sinned before the Lord our God; we will go up and fight according to all that the Lord our God has commanded us: and having taken every one his weapons of war, and being gathered together, ye went up to the mountain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Defeat at Hormah
41“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country. 42But the LORD said to me, “Tell them not to go up and fight, for I am not with you to keep you from defeat by your enemies.”…

Cross References
Numbers 14:39-45
And when Moses relayed these words to all the Israelites, the people mourned bitterly. / Early the next morning they got up and went up toward the ridge of the hill country. “We have indeed sinned,” they said, “but we will go to the place the LORD has promised.” / But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed! ...

Judges 2:1-5
Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I had promised to your fathers, and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, / and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.” ...

1 Samuel 15:24-26
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. / Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.” / “I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

Psalm 78:34-37
When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God. / And they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. / But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues. ...

Isaiah 1:15-20
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. / Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” ...

Jeremiah 3:10-14
Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD. / And the LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than unfaithful Judah. / Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. ...

Hosea 6:1-4
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. / After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. / So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. ...

Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Matthew 21:28-32
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ...

Luke 6:46-49
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ...

Luke 13:24-27
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. / After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ / Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ ...

John 5:39-40
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

Romans 10:2-3
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. / Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. / So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.


Treasury of Scripture

Then you answered and said to me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when you had girded on every man his weapons of war, you were ready to go up into the hill.

We have sinned

Numbers 14:39,40
And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly…

Numbers 22:34
And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Proverbs 19:3
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Ascend Commanded Country Deemed Hill Hill-Country Indeed Light Ready Sinned War Weapons
Jump to Next
Ascend Commanded Country Deemed Hill Hill-Country Indeed Light Ready Sinned War Weapons
Deuteronomy 1
1. Moses' speech in the end of the fortieth year
6. briefly rehearsing the history of God's sending them from Horeb
14. of giving them officers
19. of sending the spies to search the land
34. of his anger for their incredulity
41. and disobedience














Then you replied
This phrase marks a pivotal moment of response from the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "replied" is עָנָה (anah), which often implies a verbal response or answer. In the context of Deuteronomy, this reply is significant as it reflects the people's reaction to God's previous commands and judgments. Historically, this moment is set after the Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land, showcasing a pattern of disobedience and subsequent regret. This reply is not just a simple answer but a turning point in their journey, highlighting the importance of listening and responding to God's word with obedience.

We have sinned against the LORD
The acknowledgment of sin is crucial in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word for "sinned" is חָטָא (chata), meaning to miss the mark or to err. This confession is a recognition of their failure to trust and obey God. In the conservative Christian perspective, admitting sin is the first step towards repentance and restoration. The Israelites' admission here is a moment of humility and an essential part of their relationship with God. It serves as a reminder of the need for continual self-examination and confession in the believer's life.

We will go up and fight
This phrase indicates a change in the Israelites' attitude, from reluctance to action. The decision to "go up and fight" reflects a newfound determination, albeit misguided. The Hebrew verb for "go up" is עָלָה (alah), often used in the context of ascending or moving towards something significant. However, this decision to fight comes after God had already decreed that they would not enter the land due to their previous disobedience. This highlights a common human tendency to act on our own terms rather than in God's timing, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with God's will.

just as the LORD our God commanded us
Here, the Israelites express an intention to follow God's command, albeit belatedly. The phrase "just as the LORD our God commanded us" underscores the importance of obedience to divine instruction. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is צִוָּה (tsavah), which implies a directive or order from a higher authority. In the biblical context, God's commands are not mere suggestions but are meant to be followed precisely. This phrase serves as a reminder of the necessity of timely obedience and the consequences of delayed or partial compliance with God's will.

Then each of you put on his weapons
The act of putting on weapons signifies preparation for battle. The Hebrew root for "put on" is חָגַר (chagar), meaning to gird or equip oneself. This preparation, however, is done in vain because it is not sanctioned by God at this point. The Israelites' readiness to fight reflects a reliance on their own strength rather than on God's guidance. In a broader spiritual sense, this serves as a caution against self-reliance and the importance of seeking God's direction before taking action.

thinking it easy to go up into the hill country
This phrase reveals a presumption and underestimation of the challenge ahead. The Israelites' thought that it would be "easy" reflects a lack of understanding of the true nature of their task without God's blessing. The Hebrew word for "easy" is קַל (qal), which can mean light or insignificant. This underestimation is a common human error when we rely on our own judgment rather than seeking God's wisdom. It serves as a lesson in humility and the necessity of recognizing our limitations without divine assistance.

(41) We have sinned . . . we will go up and fight.--The emphatic we of this verse may be compared with the "we" of Deuteronomy 1:28. In both instances it was we, without Jehovah. It was a change from cowardice to presumption, not from unbelief to faith.

Ye were ready to go up into the hill.--Some render, Ye made light of going up.

Verses 41-46. - The people, appalled at the prospect of another sojourn in the wilderness, yet still rebellious and disobedient to God's command, though professing penitence, determined, in spite of direct prohibition on the part of God by Moses, to go up and force their way into Canaan; but were punished for their presumption by being utterly defeated and put to flight by the Amorites (comp. Numbers 14:40-45). Verse 41. - We have sinned; in Numbers it is simply said that "the people mourned greatly" (bemoaned themselves, יִתְאַבְּלוּ); but this is not incompatible with the statement here that they confessed their sins; the one would naturally accompany the ether. Their confession, however, was in word only; their conduct showed that it was not sincere. In Numbers (Numbers 14:44) it is said, "They presumed to go up;" here it is said (ver. Numbers 14:41), Ye were ready to go up, rather, ye acted heedlessly with levity, or rive. lonely, to go up. The verb here (וַתָּהִינוּ) occurs only in this place, and is of doubtful signification. The Rabbins compare it with the הננו, lo we! here we be! of the people in Numbers 14:40. It is the Hiph. of הוּן, which is supposed to be the same as the Arabic , to be light, easy; and from, this the meaning, "ye went up heedlessly, is deduced. None of the ancient versions, however, give this meaning. The LXX. has συναθροισθέντες ἀνεβαίνετε εἰς τὸ ὄρος; the Vulgate, instructi armis pergeretis in montem; Onk., ושׁרתון למסק (and ye began to ascend); Syriac, (and ye incited yourselves to go up).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“We have sinned
חָטָאנוּ֮ (ḥā·ṭā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

against the LORD,”
לַֽיהוָה֒ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

you replied.
וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ ׀ (wat·ta·‘ă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“We
אֲנַ֤חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

will go up
נַעֲלֶה֙ (na·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and fight,
וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּ (wə·nil·ḥam·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

as
כְּכֹ֥ל (kə·ḵōl)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

our God
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has commanded us.”
צִוָּ֖נוּ (ṣiw·wā·nū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Then each
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of you put on
וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּ (wat·taḥ·gə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself

his weapons
כְּלֵ֣י (kə·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of war,
מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ (mil·ḥam·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

thinking it easy
וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ (wat·tā·hî·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1951: To be naught, to be, light

to go up
לַעֲלֹ֥ת (la·‘ă·lōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

into the hill country.
הָהָֽרָה׃ (hā·hā·rāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


Links
Deuteronomy 1:41 NIV
Deuteronomy 1:41 NLT
Deuteronomy 1:41 ESV
Deuteronomy 1:41 NASB
Deuteronomy 1:41 KJV

Deuteronomy 1:41 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 1:41 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 1:41 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 1:41 French Bible
Deuteronomy 1:41 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 1:41 Then you answered and said to me (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 1:40
Top of Page
Top of Page