Deuteronomy 1 6

Deuteronomy 1:6 kjv

The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

Deuteronomy 1:6 nkjv

"The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:6 niv

The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:6 esv

"The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:6 nlt

"When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, 'You have stayed at this mountain long enough.

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:6 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, recounting God's direct command for His people to cease their prolonged encampment at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Having received the Law and established the covenant there, their period of passive reception was complete. The Lord's declaration, "You have stayed long enough on this mountain," signified the divine mandate to transition from instruction and preparation to active movement and possession of the Promised Land. It underscored God's perfect timing and the imperative for His people to align their actions with His unfolding plan.

Deuteronomy 1 6 Context

Deuteronomy begins with Moses addressing the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, on the brink of entering the Promised Land. The preceding generation had perished in the wilderness due to disobedience. Moses' speech serves as a historical review, a reiteration of the Mosaic Law, and a charge for faithfulness. Chapter 1 sets the stage by recounting the events following their departure from Horeb. Verse 6 specifically pinpoints the divine command that initiated their move from the base of Mount Sinai/Horeb—the very place where they had spent nearly a year receiving God's laws, forging their national identity, and establishing the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This instruction to move signaled the conclusion of a foundational, law-receiving phase and the commencement of the long-awaited journey into Canaan.

Deuteronomy 1 6 Word analysis

• The Lord: (Hebrew: Yahweh, יְהוָה) This refers to the personal, covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes His sovereign authority and intimate relationship with His people, identifying Him as the initiator of the command.
• our God: (Hebrew: Elohenu, אֱלֹהֵינוּ) This possessive term highlights the unique, covenantal bond between God and Israel, underscoring that the command comes from their own protective and guiding deity, distinct from other nations' gods.
• spoke: (Hebrew: dibber, דִּבֶּר) Implies direct, authoritative, and audible communication. This was not a subtle impression but a clear, verbal declaration, indicating the imperative nature of the divine will.
• to us: Indicates the entire congregation of Israel was the recipient of this command, not solely Moses. This emphasizes the corporate responsibility and shared destiny of the nation in following God's instruction.
• in Horeb: (Hebrew: b'Horeb, בְּחֹרֵב) Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, the holy mountain where the Law was given and the covenant established. The location adds immense weight to the command, rooting it in the place of Israel's foundational encounter with God.
• saying: (Hebrew: le'mor, לֵאמֹר) Prepares the listener for the exact content of God's declaration that follows.
• You have stayed: (Hebrew: Shevet, שֶׁבֶת, from the verb יָשַׁב, to sit/dwell/remain) Signifies a period of encampment or dwelling. The past tense emphasizes a completed state that is now to be changed.
• long enough: (Hebrew: Rav Lachem, רַב לָכֶם, literally "much for you") The term rav means "much," "great," or "abundant." In this context, it conveys "sufficient," "enough," or even "too much," indicating that the intended purpose for their stay at Horeb had been fulfilled. Further delay would be contrary to God's will.
• on this mountain: (Hebrew: ba'har hazzeh, בָּהָר הַזֶּה) Refers specifically to Mount Horeb/Sinai. This literal physical location symbolized the place of revelation and receiving, distinct from the journeying and possessing ahead. It emphasizes the completion of that particular phase.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The Lord our God spoke to us": This phrase establishes the divine initiative, the covenant relationship, and the direct communication from Yahweh to His people. It stresses the unassailable authority and source of the command about to be given, making it non-negotiable and divinely timed.
• "in Horeb, saying:": Pinpointing "Horeb" highlights the significance of the place where Israel entered covenant with God. The command to move emanates from the very heart of their relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing that it is a continuation of His purpose, not an arbitrary shift.
• "'You have stayed long enough": This declarative statement represents a divine evaluation. The "long enough" (Rav Lachem) signifies that the divinely allotted time for their stationary phase, dedicated to instruction and preparation at the mountain, has been exhausted. It conveys urgency and the necessity for transition, implying that further delay would lead to stagnation or disobedience.
• "on this mountain.'": The specificity of "this mountain" (Horeb/Sinai) underscores the finality of their encampment phase at the place of law-giving. It means the work of receiving the covenant and divine ordinances there is complete, and a new phase of actively pursuing the Promised Land is at hand.

Deuteronomy 1 6 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Anchor: This verse functions as Moses' historical starting point for his first major address in Deuteronomy. By recalling this specific divine command, Moses frames all subsequent events and instructions within the context of God's overarching purpose for Israel's progression towards the land. It shifts the narrative focus from past revelation to present imperative.
• Principle of Divine Timing: The declaration "long enough" speaks volumes about God's precise timing. There are seasons for waiting and preparation, but also distinct seasons for movement and action. God’s call to move is not impulsive but purposeful, rooted in the completion of His intended work at that location.
• Covenant Fidelity: The command to move from Horeb emphasizes that the covenant made at the mountain was not an end in itself but a foundation for life lived in active obedience within the Promised Land. The Law was given to be applied and lived out in God's unfolding purposes for His people.

Deuteronomy 1 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:6 serves as the divine catalyst, initiating Israel's move from prolonged encampment to purposeful journey. Having spent approximately one year at Mount Horeb—a transformative period of receiving the Law, the Decalogue, and detailed instructions for their nationhood and worship—God declares that the phase of "sitting" or "dwelling" there has reached its divinely appointed conclusion. The phrase "You have stayed long enough" signals that the purpose for their encampment has been fulfilled; further delay would be an impediment to God's grander design for them to possess the land promised to their forefathers. This verse underlines the sovereignty of God over time and direction, demonstrating that while periods of waiting and learning are essential, they are not permanent. There comes a crucial moment when divine instruction mandates action and forward progression toward spiritual promises and commanded destinations. It challenges both inertia and fear, calling God's people to courageous obedience to His timing and will.

• Example 1 (Personal): A believer might spend extensive time studying God's Word, which is crucial, but then feel God nudging them to actively live out and apply those truths in service or evangelism, moving beyond just passive absorption.
• Example 2 (Corporate): A church might have a strong season of internal discipleship and spiritual growth, but then God calls them to step out into more active community outreach or global missions, signifying that their preparatory phase is complete.