14-00

Wandering in the Wilderness

This title can also be translated as: “About what happened when the Israelites went about in the wilderness” or “What happened when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness?”

Wilderness

This refers to a dry, remote place where very few people live.

14-01

General Information

This frame is background information that summarizes the previous two stories in preparation for a shift in the story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])

the pillar of cloud

See how you translated this phrase in 12:02.

14-02

God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give the Promised Land to their descendants

This is background information that summarizes the stories of Genesis in preparation for a shift in the story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])

Canaanites

This frame explains who the Canaanites were and God’s relationship with them in preparation for the introduction of a new major character. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])

14-03

you must get rid of all the Canaanites there

This is a polite way to say that they were to kill or drive out all the Canaanites out of the Promised Land. This could be translated as: “must get all the Canaanites out of the land” or “must remove from the land all of the Canaanites who are living there.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-euphemism/01.md]])

Do not make peace with them

This could be translated as: “Do not live peacefully among or alongside them” or “Do not promise to live peacefully with them.”

do not marry them

God did not want any Israelite person to marry any Canaanite person.

If you do not obey me

The connecting word If introduces a hypothetical conditional relationship. If the Israelites do not obey God by driving out the Canaanites, in time they will also disobey God by worshiping the idols of the Canaanites. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical/01.md]])

you will end up worshiping their idols

If the Israelites became friends with the Canaanites and did not destroy the idols, they would be tempted to worship those idols instead of God.

14-04

border

a line separating two countries, a boundary (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])

tribe of Israel

This refers to the descendants of each of the sons of Jacob. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])

go and spy

The Israelites were to go from where they were camped to the land of Canaan and spy in the land of Canaan. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-go/01.md]])

spy on the land

This could be translated as: “secretly get information about the land” or “secretly learn about the land.” Part of the spies’ task was to find out what kinds of food the land could produce.

to spy on the Canaanites

This could be translated as: “secretly get information about the people of Canaan” or “secretly learn about the Canaanites.”

to see if they were strong or weak

They wanted to know if the Canaanites were prepared to fight against them. This could be translated as: “to find out how powerful the Canaanite armies were.”

14-05

they came back

They returned to where the rest of the Israelites were waiting, just outside the border of Canaan. This can be clearly stated: “they returned to the camp of the Israelites.’” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

They told the people, “The land is very fertile and the crops are plentiful!”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “They told the people that the land was very fertile and the crops were plentiful!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

The land is very fertile and the crops are plentiful!

This is a strong statement that emphasizes that the land was extremely good. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

The cities are very strong and the people are giants!

This is a strong statement that emphasizes that the inhabitants of the land were extremely large and powerful soldiers. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

The cities are very strong

The cities had strong walls around them, so it would be very difficult for the Israelites to attack them.

the people are giants

This was not simply referring to unusually tall people, but a particular race of people that were far larger than even the tallest normal people. This could be translated as: “the people are like giants compared to us!” or “the people are much taller and stronger than we are!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])

If we attack them, they will certainly defeat us and kill us!

This is a strong statement that emphasizes that the Israelites were certain the Canaanites would defeat them in battle. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

14-06

It is true that the people of Canaan are tall and strong, but we can certainly defeat them! God will fight for us!

This is a strong statement that even though the people of Canaan were large, God was even bigger and would enable the Israelites to defeat them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

the people of Canaan

This could be translated as: “the people who live in Canaan” or “the Canaanites.”

but we can certainly

The connecting word but indicates that there was an exceptional reason why the Canaanites would be defeated rather than the Israelites. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions/01.md]])

we can certainly defeat them! God will fight for us!

To show the connection between these two statements, it may be necessary to say: “we can certainly defeat them because God will fight for us!”

God will fight for us!

This could be translated as: “God will fight alongside us and help us defeat them!” This makes it clear that the Israelites would also be fighting against the Canaanites.

14-07

But the people did not listen

The connecting word But indicates that in contrast to Joshua and Caleb’s reasoning, the people refused to listen. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

Why did you bring us to this horrible place?

The people were not expecting an answer from Moses or from God. Alternate translation: “You should not have brought us to this horrible place.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

this horrible place

They considered Canaan to be horrible because they thought it was so dangerous that they would all be killed.

14-08

He came to

God did not appear as a person, but came in some other form that showed his glory and power.

so all of you

The connecting word so connects the action or reason with the consequence. The people rebelled against God, and for this reason or as a result, they would have to wander in the wilderness. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

to wander in the wilderness

God would lead the people around in the wilderness with no specific destination until all of the adults who rebelled against him died.

14-09

When the people heard God say this

The connecting word When connects the action or reason with the result. As a result of hearing God’s judgment, the people became sorry they had sinned. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

they had sinned

It may be necessary to add: “they had sinned by disobeying God’s command to conquer the peoples of Canaan.”

So they decided

The connecting word So connects the action or reason with the result. As a result of being sorry they had sinned, the people of Israel attacked the people of Canaan. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

Moses warned them not to go

This means that Moses told them not to go to fight against the Canaanites because they would be in danger if they did that.

because God would not go with them

The connecting word because connects the action (Moses warning them) with the reason (God not going with them). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

God would not go with them

In other words, God would not be with them to help them. Because of the Israelites’ disobedience, God withdrew from them his presence, protection, and power.

but they did not listen to him

They did not obey Moses. They went to attack the Canaanites anyway. The connecting word but indicates an exception relationship. The Israelites decided to attack the Canaanites even though Moses had warned them not to do that. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions/01.md]])

14-10

God did not go with them into this battle

In other words, God did not help them in this fight.

so the Canaanites defeated them and killed many of them

The connecting word so connects the reason (God did not go with them into this battle), with two results (the Canaanites defeated them, and the Canaanites killed many of them). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

turned back from Canaan

They left Canaan and went back into the wilderness where they were before.

wander through the wilderness

They lived in the wilderness, and together they moved from place to place in that large, dry land, looking for food and water for themselves and their animals.

14-11

God provided for them

This could be translated as: “God gave them everything they needed for food, water, and shelter.”

bread from heaven, called manna.

Overnight, this thin, bread-like food fell onto the grass like dew from the sky. They called it manna. Almost every day the people gathered this manna and cooked it as their food. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])

He also sent flocks of quail (which are medium-sized birds)

Another way to say this would be: “He also caused a large number of quails to fly into their camp.” If quails are unknown, a different, similar type bird could be used. Or it could be translated as: “a large number of medium-sized birds.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])

their camp

The place where the Israelites set up their tents to sleep in was called a camp. It was like a city with tents instead of buildings, and it could be moved around.

14-12

To provide them with water to drink, God miraculously made it come out of a rock.

This could be translated as: “By doing something that only God can do, he made water pour out of a rock so the people and animals could drink.”

But despite all this

This could be translated as: “But even though God provided food, water, clothing, and everything that they needed.” The connecting word But contrasts God’s many gifts that have been listed with Israel’s complaining against God and his servant Moses. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

Even so

This could be translated as: “Even though the Israelites complained and grumbled against him.” The connecting words Even so contrast Israel’s complaining with God’s faithfulness. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

God was still faithful. He did what he promised that he would do for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

This could be translated as: “God continued to do what he had told Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob he would do.” He provided their descendants with what they needed so that they could live and become a great nation and eventually own the land of Canaan.”

14-13

Another time when the people did not have any water

From the previous story, it transitions to another story about when the people did not have water. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

God told Moses, “Speak to the rock, and water will come out of it.”

This is an imperative and a direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “God told Moses to speak to the rock, and water will come out of it.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Instead

The connecting word Instead emphasizes the exceptional relationship. Moses disobeyed by hitting the rock even through God himself commanded him to speak to it. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions/01.md]])

he dishonored God

This could be translated as: “Moses disobeyed God” or “Moses disrespected God.” God had a specific way He wanted Moses to show the people God’s power to provide for them. When Moses disobeyed God by doing it in a different way, he showed a lack of respect for God.

Because you did this

The connecting words Because you did this connect the reason (Moses’ disobedience) with the result (God not allowing him to enter the Promise Land). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

14-14

After the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years

This begins a new event. It transitions from the time of wandering, God’s judgment on Israel, to what lies ahead for their descendants. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

who had rebelled against God

This could be translated as: “who had refused to obey God when he told them to go into the Promised Land.”

the people

The people refers to the children of the generation that died.

so God chose

The connecting word so connects the reason (Moses’ old age) with the result (God choosing someone else to lead Israel). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

one day

This means: some time in the future.

another prophet like Moses

Like Moses, this man would be an Israelite, he would speak God’s words to the people, and he would lead the people.

14-15

but God did not permit him to enter

The connecting word but introduces the fact that Moses was able to see the Promised Land even though God did not allow him to enter it. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions/01.md]])

mourned for 30 days

For 30 days all the people of Israel cried and showed that they were very sad that Moses had died.

because he trusted and obeyed God.

The connecting word because connects Joshua’s trust in and obedience to God with the result (he was a good leader). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.