Another matter, “God did not lead them [naḥam].” From Egypt to the Land of Israel there are eleven journeys.13Which can be conducted in eleven days. Instead, the Holy One blessed be He bore them via the wilderness for forty years, as it is stated: “Eleven days from Ḥorev (Deuteronomy 1:2) and then: “It was in the fortieth year” (Deuteronomy 1:3). That is why it is stated: “God did not lead them [naḥam].”14God did not lead them in as quickly as possible to the Land of Israel and grant them rest [menuḥa] (Midrash HaMevoar).
Alternatively, “God did not lead them [naḥam]” – this is analogous to a king who had children who were taken captive, and some of them died in captivity. The king descended and saved those who remained from them, and there was joy before him because he saved his children, but he would not be consoled [mitnaḥem] over those who died.