What does Deuteronomy 1:46 mean?
"So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there." - Deuteronomy 1:46

Deuteronomy 1:46 from the King James Version reads: "So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there."
To fully understand the meaning of this verse, it is essential to delve into the context and background of the book of Deuteronomy. The book is a retelling and recounting of the laws and commandments given to the Israelites by Moses before they entered the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, His promises, and the consequences of disobedience.
In the preceding verses, Moses is addressing the Israelites, reminding them of their journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) to Kadesh-Barnea. He recounts their refusal to enter the Promised Land initially due to fear and lack of faith in God's ability to conquer the inhabitants of the land, despite God's promise to give it to them.
The verse in question, Deuteronomy 1:46, refers to their prolonged stay in Kadesh, a place where they remained for an extended period. This verse serves as a reminder of their reluctance to move forward and their disobedience to God's command to possess the land. The consequence of their faithlessness was an extended period of wandering and delay in receiving the inheritance promised to them.
The theme of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands is prevalent throughout the book of Deuteronomy. This verse serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's promises. The Israelites' prolonged stay in Kadesh serves as a reminder that disobedience can lead to missed opportunities and delayed blessings.
Furthermore, the verse also highlights the concept of waiting and perseverance. The Israelites had to wait in Kadesh for an extended period, enduring the consequences of their actions. This serves as a lesson in patience and endurance, as they had to wait for God's timing and faithfulness despite their own failings.
Symbolically, Kadesh can be seen as a place of testing and refining for the Israelites. It was a place where their faith and obedience were put to the test, and they ultimately faltered. This serves as a symbolic representation of the Christian journey, where believers are tested and refined through trials and obstacles.
In summary, Deuteronomy 1:46 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. It also symbolizes the concept of waiting and perseverance, as well as the testing and refining of one's faith. The verse encapsulates the overarching themes of the book of Deuteronomy and serves as a cautionary tale for believers to trust in God's promises and remain obedient to His will.
Have questions about Deuteronomy 1:46?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Deuteronomy 1:46 Artwork
Deuteronomy 1:46 - "So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there."
"So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there." - Deuteronomy 1:46
Deuteronomy 28:46 - "And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever."
"And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever." - Deuteronomy 28:46
1 Kings 1:46 - "And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom."
acts 10:44-46
Deuteronomy 4:46 - "On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:"
Jeremiah 46:1 - "The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;"
Deuteronomy 32:46 - "And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law."
1 Chronicles 11:46 - "Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,"
God is within her she will not fall Psalm 46:5
1 Corinthians 15:46 - "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual."
1 Chronicles 6:46 - "The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,"
Luke 1:46 - "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,"
1 Chronicles 2:46 - "And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez."
Psalms 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
"And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom." - 1 Kings 1:46
1 Kings 7:46 - "In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan."
Numbers 1:46 - "Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty."
1 Kings 18:46 - "And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."
1 Samuel 14:46 - "Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place."
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord," - Luke 1:46
1 Chronicles 1:46 - "And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith."
1 Kings 22:46 - "And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land."
Luke 1:46-47 - "And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
John 1:46 - "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
1 Kings 2:46 - "So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon."
"The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer," - 1 Chronicles 6:46