Deuteronomy 1 29

Deuteronomy 1:29 kjv

Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

Deuteronomy 1:29 nkjv

"Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.

Deuteronomy 1:29 niv

Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.

Deuteronomy 1:29 esv

Then I said to you, 'Do not be in dread or afraid of them.

Deuteronomy 1:29 nlt

"But I said to you, 'Don't be shocked or afraid of them!

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 29 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:29 records Moses' direct admonition to the Israelites. He urged them not to surrender to the terror or fear induced by the formidable inhabitants of the land, specifically referencing the giants, or Anakim. This counsel served as an attempt to quell their anxieties and redirect their focus from perceived human obstacles to God's promised presence and power to overcome.

Deuteronomy 1 29 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 1 serves as the prologue to Moses' final discourses before Israel enters the promised land. Moses recounts their journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) to the plains of Moab. Verse 29 specifically addresses the turning point at Kadesh Barnea, where twelve spies were sent into Canaan. The spies, particularly ten of them, returned with a fearful report emphasizing the strength of the land's inhabitants, especially the Anakim, causing the people to lose heart and rebel against God's command to advance. Moses, recalling this pivotal failure, reminds the people of his direct appeal to them in that moment, before their full descent into unbelief and subsequent forty-year wilderness wanderings. It highlights Moses' attempt to steer them away from the devastating consequences of fear and doubt.

Deuteronomy 1 29 Word analysis

• Then I said: This indicates Moses' personal intervention, speaking directly to the assembled congregation. It highlights his role as God's mediator and Shepherd over Israel. The Hebrew for "I said" is wa'omar (וָאֹמַר), from 'amar, indicating direct verbal communication.
• to them: Refers to the whole congregation of Israel, encompassing all the tribes and families present at Kadesh Barnea. Their collective fear required a collective address.
• Do not be terrified: The Hebrew verb is ta'artzu (תַּעַרְצוּ), from the root 'aratz (עָרַץ), meaning "to dread, inspire terror, to be crushed with fear or awe." This points to a deep, overwhelming, paralyzing dread that cripples decision-making and leads to despair. It is a command against giving into paralyzing fear. This type of fear often arises from encountering something vastly superior or intimidating.
• or afraid: The Hebrew verb is tiyra'u (תִּירָאוּ), from the common root yare (יָרֵא), meaning "to fear, reverence, stand in awe." While yare can signify reverent awe for God, in this context with "of them," it refers to a conventional fear or apprehension of danger. Moses commands them against any form of panic or dread related to the people in the land. This fear leads to withdrawing or fleeing, which they did later.
• of them: This points specifically to the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, particularly the Anakim (Deut 1:28, Num 13:33). They were described as giants, posing a significant human threat. The command is to shift focus from the power of man to the power of God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not be terrified, or afraid": This double negative command, using two distinct but related verbs for fear, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition. Moses is addressing both the paralyzing terror ('aratz) and the general apprehension (yare) that gripped the people. It stresses the urgent need for inner resolve and trust in God rather than reaction to external threats. This strong injunction serves to counter the devastating effects of unbelief and disobedience rooted in fear.

Deuteronomy 1 29 Bonus section

• The parallel to Moses' command is seen in Caleb's words (Num 13:30) and Joshua and Caleb's later unified declaration (Num 14:6-9), who urged Israel to "not fear the people of the land" because "their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us." Their faith exemplified the very trust Moses commanded here.
• This verse underlines the destructive nature of unbelief stemming from fear. Israel's fear of the Anakim directly contradicted God's promise to deliver the land into their hands (Deut 1:8).
• The incident at Kadesh Barnea (including this verse) is frequently referenced in later biblical texts, particularly in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4, as a warning against unbelief and hardness of heart that prevents entering God's rest.
• The giants (Anakim) represent overwhelming obstacles that seem unconquerable in human eyes. Moses' command implies that such obstacles are precisely where faith is most tested and where God's power is most visibly demonstrated when Israel relies on Him.

Deuteronomy 1 29 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:29 encapsulates Moses' desperate plea to Israel at a critical juncture. The command, "Do not be terrified, or afraid of them," serves as a direct counterpoint to the negative, faithless report of the ten spies concerning the Anakim and fortified cities. Moses, speaking on behalf of God, aims to redirect their focus from the physical imposing nature of their enemies to the supernatural power and faithfulness of their divine Warrior, Yahweh. This instruction wasn't merely psychological comfort but a theological imperative. Their fear was an act of distrust in God's promises and His ability to fight for them, which, as subsequent events in Numbers 14 illustrate, directly led to their rebellion and forty-year delay. The verse highlights a core biblical truth: true fear of God displaces the tormenting fear of man and earthly circumstances.