Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 14:19. It's a really important part of understanding the Israelites’ history and God’s perspective on them. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is still extending forgiveness to a people who have repeatedly disobeyed Him and acted badly. It’s acknowledging a long, difficult past of sin and rebellion. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 14:19” : This refers to a specific incident in the story of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness – a time when they disobeyed God repeatedly. “Pardon, I beseech thee…” : This is God speaking directly to the people. He's offering forgiveness – a "pardon" – after a long period of trouble. “…the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy…” : This is the tricky part. “Iniquity” means sin , wrongdoing, or moral failings. "According to the greatness of thy mercy" means that God’s forgiveness isn't just based on a single act of wrong, but because He is merciful – truly kind and compassionate. “and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even now…” : This is where it gets really significant. God has already forgiven them repeatedly throughout their history. He’s saying, “Because you’ve shown forgiveness in the past, including this long period of trouble, now you have a second chance.” So, putting it all together: God recognizes that Israel has been persistently bad to Him and has forgiven them many times before. Now, He's extending that forgiveness again , specifically because of their past behavior, offering a chance for them to turn back to Him and be reconciled. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse is a powerful statement about God’s patience and mercy. It highlights that forgiveness isn’t just about the present; it's about extending a chance for reconciliation and restoration after a long period of trouble. It speaks to the idea that God loves even those who are difficult to love. In short, this verse is saying "We forgive you, but we also have mercy." --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Connect it to a specific story in the Bible? Discuss the significance of this passage within the larger context of Israel’s history?