Crossing the brook Zered was a watershed moment for God's people, for thirty-eight years had gone by since Israel left Kadesh-barnea. During those years, the rebellious generation, who the Lord had sworn would not enter the Promised Land, all died. Moses spoke of the death of the men of war
as a kind of warning, for the instruction of the current generation.
14 Le temps que durèrent nos marches de Kadès-Barnéa au passage du torrent de Zéred fut de trente-huit ans, jusqu'à ce que toute la génération des hommes de guerre ait disparu du milieu du camp, comme l'Eternel le leur avait juré.