Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 14:30

"surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun." — Numbers 14:30 (ASV)

Concerning which I swore.— Literally, I lifted up my hand. Lifting up the hand is the posture of swearing. (See Genesis 14:22 and Note; Deuteronomy 32:40.) The reference appears to be to the original covenant made with Abraham, and renewed to Isaac and Jacob, concerning the possession of the land of Canaan. (Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 22:16–18; Genesis 26:3–4; Genesis 28:13; Exodus 6:8.)