Numbers 14:18

God's love Patience Forgiveness Grace

¹⁶ Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

¹⁷ And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,

The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

¹⁹ Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

²⁰ And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’
KJV: The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
WEB: ‘The LORD is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’
ASV: Jehovah is slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.
DARBY: Jehovah is slow to anger, and abundant in goodness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and fourth [generation].
BLB: ‘YHWH is slow to anger, and abundant in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and He aquits by no means, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the sons on the thirds and on the fourths.’

ÅB: Herren er langmodig og rik på miskunnhet, han tilgir misgjerning og overtredelse; men han lar ikke den skyldige ustraffet, han hjemsøker fedres misgjerning på barn, på dem i tredje og på dem i fjerde ledd.
OTB: ‘Herren er sen til vrede, rik på kjærlighet og tilgir synd og opprør. Likevel lar Han ikke den skyldige være ustraffet; Han holder barna ansvarlige for foreldrenes synd til tredje og fjerde generasjon.’
B1930: Herren er langmodig og rik på miskunnhet, han forlater misgjerning og overtredelse; men han lar ikke den skyldige ustraffet, han hjemsøker fedres misgjerning på barn, på dem i tredje og på dem i fjerde ledd.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Exodus 34:6–7
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
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Psalms 145:8
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
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Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
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Jonah 4:2
And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
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Nahum 1:2–3
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
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Psalms 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
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Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
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Deuteronomy 5:9
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
Read in context