Episode Details

This episode examines the apparent contradiction between Numbers and Deuteronomy over whether the first generation of Israelites died in the wilderness. Lance Smith walks through the biblical texts and scholarly views to clarify what the Bible actually says.

Key points: the age-based judgment in Numbers, exceptions like Joshua and Caleb, the Levites and women, inherited memory, and Moses’ corporate language. The episode argues that the passages can be reconciled without forcing a contradiction.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
2. Kugler, Gili. “Did the Exodus Generation Die in the Wilderness or Enter Canaan?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-the-exodus-generation-die-in-the-wilderness-or-enter-canaan
3. Himmelfarb, Martha. “Who Is Deuteronomy’s Audience?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-is-deuteronomys-audience
4. Ingram, Chaim. “RE’EH: You have seen….” Times of Israel Blogs. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/reeh-you-have-seen/
5. Carpenter, Eugene E. “Literary Structure and Unbelief: A Study of Deuteronomy 1:6–46.” The Asbury Theological Journal 42, no. 1 (1987): 77–84. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol42/iss1/6
6. Schnittjer, Gary Edward. “Kadesh Infidelity of Deuteronomy 1 and Its Synoptic Implications.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 63, no. 1 (2020): 95–120.
7. DiMattei, Steven. “Bible Contradiction #280. Where are the 1st generation Israelites killed off?” Contradictions in the Bible. https://contradictionsinthebible.com/1st-generation-die-where/