The Meaning of Numbers 14:19 Explained

Numbers 14:19

KJV: 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.

YLT: forgive, I pray Thee, the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of Thy kindness, and as Thou hast borne with this people from Egypt, even until now.'

Darby: Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of thy loving-kindness, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

ASV: Pardon, I pray thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy lovingkindness, and according as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Numbers 14:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 14:13-25 - Pardon By Moses' Intercession
Moses was free from selfish ambition. His one thought was for the glory of God. When for a moment the suggestion presented itself to his mind that his own seed should take the place of this rebellious race he instantly dismissed it. It was not to be entertained for a moment, lest the Egyptians make capital of it. He had no desire to be the ancestor of a great nation, if it would tarnish the divine honor. He would rather be consigned to oblivion himself than that one jewel in the glorious galaxy of God's glory should be bedimmed.
There were three arguments in his intercession: God's reputation, God's consistency with Himself and God's mercy. Methinks I hear the voice of the Supreme Mediator these pleadings! His prayer was heard, but the generation that believed not could not enter the land. You may escape Egypt and yet miss Canaan. See Hebrews 3:12-19. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 14

1  The people murmur at the news
6  Joshua and Caleb labor to still them
11  God threatens them
13  Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon
26  The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land
36  The men who raised the evil report die by a plague
40  The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten

What do the individual words in Numbers 14:19 mean?

Pardon I pray the iniquity of people this according to the greatness of Your mercy and just as You have forgiven people this from Egypt and even until now
סְלַֽח־ נָ֗א לַעֲוֺ֛ן הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּ֖ה כְּגֹ֣דֶל חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤ר נָשָׂ֙אתָה֙ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם וְעַד־ הֵֽנָּה

סְלַֽח־  Pardon 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: סָלַח  
Sense: to forgive, pardon.
נָ֗א  I  pray 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
לַעֲוֺ֛ן  the  iniquity 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common singular construct
Root: עָוֹן  
Sense: perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity.
הָעָ֥ם  of  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַזֶּ֖ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
כְּגֹ֣דֶל  according  to  the  greatness 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: גֹּדֶל  
Sense: greatness.
חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ  of  Your  mercy 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤ר  and  just  as 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
נָשָׂ֙אתָה֙  You  have  forgiven 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
לָעָ֣ם  people 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַזֶּ֔ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם  from  Egypt 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.
וְעַד־  and  even  until 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
הֵֽנָּה  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: הֵנָּה  
Sense: here, there, now, hither.