18 ' The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness , forgiving iniquity and transgression ; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 14:18

Commentary on Numbers 14:11-19

(Read Numbers 14:11-19)

Moses made humble intercession for Israel. Herein he was a type of Christ, who prayed for those that despitefully used him. The pardon of a nation's sin, is the turning away the nation's punishment; and for that Moses is here so earnest. Moses argued that, consistently with God's character, in his abundant mercies, he could forgive them.