The Meaning of Numbers 14:21 Explained

Numbers 14:21

KJV: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

YLT: and yet, I live -- and it is filled -- the whole earth -- with the honour of Jehovah;

Darby: But as surely as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah!

ASV: but in very deed, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But [as] truly  [as] I live,  all the earth  shall be filled  with the glory  of the LORD. 

What does Numbers 14:21 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 14:21 mean?

but truly as live I and shall be filled with the glory of Yahweh - All the earth
וְאוּלָ֖ם חַי־ אָ֑נִי וְיִמָּלֵ֥א כְבוֹד־ יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־ כָּל־ הָאָֽרֶץ

וְאוּלָ֖ם  but  truly  as 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אוּלָם  
Sense: but, but indeed (a strong adversative).
חַי־  live 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
וְיִמָּלֵ֥א  and  shall  be  filled 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
כְבוֹד־  with  the  glory  of 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כָּבֹוד  
Sense: glory, honour, glorious, abundance.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָאָֽרֶץ  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.