The generation of the wilderness (after the Exodus, those who did not enter the Land of Israel)

The generation that went out from Egypt as recounted in the Torah. By analogy: the preceding generation. Or: the generation that paid the price to attain better life.

("The generation of the wilderness has no share in the world to come, and they do not stand in judgment, as it is said (in Midbar 14) 'In this wilderness they shall perish and there they shall die,' words of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: About them it is said (Psalms 10), 'Gather to Me My faithful ones who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice' - Sanhedrin 115a. And likewise: 'Because a decree was issued against the generation of the wilderness to die in the wilderness for the sin of disbelief, therefore Moses requested that their punishment be recorded, so that it not be said that he too was among the rebels' - Rashi on Numbers 27:13. Also: 'Before the generation of the wilderness: those who forgot God before Baal Peor' - Etz Chaim / Opening: From the days we went out from Egypt until now.")

Translation