How many years did the Israelites wander in the wilderness?

How many years did the Israelites wander in the wilderness?

• A. 40 years
• B. 20 years
• C. 30 years
• D. 50 years

Answer: (A)

Forty years. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites sent spies into Canaan and, because of the people's unbelief and fear, God decreed that the adult generation would not enter the land. They would wander in the wilderness until that generation died off, a period that lasted about forty years—roughly one year for each day the spies were in the land. The wandering ended when a new generation, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land.

Forty years. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites sent spies into Canaan and, because of the people's unbelief and fear, God decreed that the adult generation would not enter the land. They would wander in the wilderness until that generation died off, a period that lasted about forty years—roughly one year for each day the spies were in the land. The wandering ended when a new generation, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land.