Deuteronomy 1 31

Deuteronomy 1:31 kjv

And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

Deuteronomy 1:31 nkjv

and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.'

Deuteronomy 1:31 niv

and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."

Deuteronomy 1:31 esv

and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.'

Deuteronomy 1:31 nlt

And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.'

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 31 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:31 conveys the profound truth of God's unwavering and intimate care for the Israelite nation during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It portrays the Lord their God not merely as a distant guide, but as a tender and committed father, carrying and sustaining His people through every challenge, just as a human father carefully bears his beloved son through difficult terrain, ensuring his safety and sustenance until they reach their destination. This verse emphasizes God's consistent provision, protection, and patience despite the formidable circumstances and Israel's own shortcomings.

Deuteronomy 1 31 Context

This verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 1-3 serve as a historical prologue, reviewing the journey from Mount Horeb (Sinai) to Moab, emphasizing both God's faithfulness and Israel's past disobedience, particularly their rebellion at Kadesh Barnea which resulted in the 40 years of wandering. Verse 31 specifically reminds this generation, who had heard but not fully experienced the Exodus, of God's intimate, constant, and fatherly provision during that wilderness period. It contrasts the fearful lack of faith of their fathers with God's undeniable demonstration of His power and care, aiming to inspire trust and obedience as they face new challenges.

Deuteronomy 1 31 Word analysis

• and in the wilderness (וּבַמִּדְבָּר – u·vamidbar): "Midbar" refers to a desolate, arid, and dangerous region. The very location highlights God's supernatural care, as such an environment inherently lacked the means to sustain a large population for four decades. It underscores that their survival was solely due to divine intervention.
• where you saw (אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתָ – asher ra’ita): Emphasizes direct observation and personal experience, not hearsay. Moses is reminding them of verifiable history that unfolded before their eyes or within their lifetime, providing tangible proof of God's power and commitment. It served as a witness.
• how the Lord your God (אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – et YHVH Eloheicha): "YHVH" (Yahweh) is the personal covenant name of God, indicating His relational, ever-present, and active nature towards His people. "Eloheicha" (your God) stresses the specific, exclusive, and intimate covenant relationship He has with Israel, implying His proprietorship and their responsibility. This name combination highlights His sovereign power and personal faithfulness.
• carried you (נְשָׂאֶךָ – nəśa’eka): From the verb "nasa" (נָשָׂא), meaning to lift, bear, carry, endure, support, sustain. This goes beyond mere leading or guiding. It denotes bearing the weight of someone or something, suggesting that God bore Israel's burdens, sustained their weaknesses, and physically protected them from the dangers and trials of the wilderness. It conveys strength, tender care, and steadfast support.
• as a man carries his son (כַּאֲשֶׁר יִשָּׂא אִישׁ אֶת־בְּנוֹ – ka’asher yissa ish et-b’no): This profound simile vividly illustrates the quality of God's carrying.
  • "a man" (אִישׁ – ish): Emphasizes the relatable, personal, and active involvement of a human father.
  • "his son" (אֶת־בְּנוֹ – et-b'no): Highlights the tender, intimate, vulnerable, and beloved nature of the relationship. A father carries his son with affection, patience, complete protection, and a deep sense of responsibility, particularly when the child is weak or in danger. This contrasts sharply with the often-feared, distant, or transactional deities of surrounding pagan cultures who did not demonstrate such intimate, fatherly care. It subtly presents a polemic against beliefs that deities were indifferent or merely demanding.
• all the way that you went (כָּל הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר הֲלַכְתֶּם – kol haderech asher halachtem): This phrase emphasizes the unbroken continuity and duration of God's care. His carrying was not intermittent or situational but constant throughout their entire forty-year journey, regardless of the terrain, challenges, or even Israel's repeated complaints and rebellions.
• until you came to this place (עַד בֹּאֲכֶם עַד הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה – ad bo'achem ad hamakom hazzeh): Signifies the completion of the divine mission. God's faithfulness ensured that they reached the destination He intended for them – the edge of the Promised Land. His commitment encompassed the entire journey from start to finish, highlighting His ultimate reliability in fulfilling His promises.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "in the wilderness... carried you": Contrasts the harshness of the environment with the extraordinary tenderness and power of God's sustained care. It showcases God's faithfulness manifesting most profoundly where it was most critically needed.
• "the Lord your God carried you": Explicitly names the Divine Actor and establishes the intimate, covenantal nature of His provision, connecting the grand wilderness narrative directly to their personal God.
• "as a man carries his son": This powerful metaphor is the heart of the verse, redefining divine might not as distant power, but as deeply personal, tender, and patient paternal love, completely unique in ancient Near Eastern understanding of deities.
• "all the way that you went until you came to this place": Underlines the exhaustive, unbroken, and unwavering nature of God's provision. It wasn't a temporary relief, but a continuous journey-long demonstration of His commitment to bringing them to their intended destination.

Deuteronomy 1 31 Bonus section

• The "carrying" theme in the Bible is not only about physical sustenance but also about bearing the burdens of His people's weakness and sins, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ, who bore the sins of the world (e.g., Isa 53:4, John 1:29).
• This verse stands as a powerful antidote to any view of God as an indifferent, passive, or demanding deity. It reveals a God who is personally engaged, empathetic, and committed to the well-being and ultimate destiny of His children.
• The constant "carrying" is especially significant given that Israel often rebelled and provoked God. Yet, His carrying persisted, showcasing divine grace and steadfast love (חסד – hesed) despite human sinfulness, a core tenet of the covenant relationship.

Deuteronomy 1 31 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:31 is a potent summary of God's character and His relationship with His people during the wilderness journey. Moses invokes the tangible, visible proof of God's persistent and tender care, using the relatable analogy of a father carrying his son. This imagery transcends mere leading or guiding; it conveys active, intimate sustenance, bearing of burdens, and constant protection through vulnerability. Despite the trials and Israel's repeated faithlessness, the Lord "carried" them through desolation, providing for every need, patiently enduring their complaints, and diligently safeguarding them, bringing them to the very threshold of the Promised Land. This historical review serves as a powerful call to remembrance and trust for the new generation, assuring them of God's enduring faithfulness even when faced with their own uncertainties and new challenges. It highlights that God is not only powerful but also personally invested and intimately compassionate toward His chosen people, an attribute foundational to a deep relationship with Him.