Deuteronomy 10 7

Deuteronomy 10:7 kjv

From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.

Deuteronomy 10:7 nkjv

From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of rivers of water.

Deuteronomy 10:7 niv

From there they traveled to Gudgodah and on to Jotbathah, a land with streams of water.

Deuteronomy 10:7 esv

From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land with brooks of water.

Deuteronomy 10:7 nlt

Then they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from there to Jotbathah, a land with many brooks and streams.

Deuteronomy 10 verses

Deuteronomy 10 7 Meaning

Deuteronomy 10:7 describes a specific segment of the Israelites' wilderness journey: their departure from Gudgodah and their subsequent arrival at Jotbathah, which is explicitly characterized as a "land of brooks of water." This verse, embedded in Moses' recount of Israel's forty years in the desert, highlights the historical accuracy of their divinely guided wanderings and subtly emphasizes God's continued provision, especially of vital resources like water in an arid environment, even amidst their spiritual failures.

Deuteronomy 10 7 Context

Deuteronomy 10:7 is part of Moses' second speech to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. Specifically, it falls within Moses' recounting of significant events during their wilderness wanderings, starting from chapter 9. Moses has just reminded them of their rebellion at Mount Horeb (the Golden Calf incident) and God's wrath, followed by his intercession and the re-giving of the tablets of the Law (Deut 9:6-10:5).

Verses 6 and 7 of chapter 10 present a seemingly abrupt interlude listing various stops in their journey, particularly focusing on Aaron's death at Moserah (v.6), his son Eleazar's succession, and the journey from Gudgodah to Jotbathah. This itinerary detail serves several purposes: it affirms the historical reality of their protracted wanderings as a consequence of their disobedience; it demonstrates God's continued, though strict, leadership and provision through their trials; and it sets the stage for Moses' subsequent exhortations in verses 12-22, which call Israel to a responsive love and obedience to God, having seen His faithful dealings with them even in their journey through arid lands. Jotbathah's description as a "land of brooks of water" starkly contrasts with the general hardship of the wilderness, serving as a powerful reminder of God's specific and necessary provision.

Deuteronomy 10 7 Word analysis

• From there:

  • Indicates a point of origin, immediately connecting this verse to the preceding one.
  • "There" refers to Moserah (also called Moseroth in Num 33:30-31), where Aaron died and was buried.
  • Significance: Maintains the sequential, historical narrative of the Israelite itinerary, emphasizing that their journey was a literal, physical progression guided by God.

• they journeyed:

  • Hebrew: vayisa'u (וַיִּסְעוּ), meaning "they pulled up stakes," "they set out," or "they departed."
  • This active verb highlights the continuous movement and the physical exertion involved in the nomadic life.
  • Significance: It underscores God's persistent guidance, as He directed their movements (Ex 13:21; Num 9:17-23), ensuring they did not remain stagnant in judgment but moved towards their promised destiny.

• to Gudgodah:

  • Hebrew: Gudgodah (גֻּדְגֹּדָה). Often associated with Hor Haggidgad (Num 33:32).
  • Meaning: The exact meaning is uncertain, but some suggest roots related to "thunder," "hewing," or "crevice," possibly indicating a rocky terrain or wadi.
  • Contextual link: Scholars link Gudgodah to Wadi al-Ghadeid, suggesting it was a specific, recognizable landmark on their journey.
  • Significance: The inclusion of precise, even obscure, place names affirms the historical veracity of the account, asserting it as a real, lived experience, not a myth. It shows God's specific leading to concrete places.

• and from Gudgodah:

  • Reinforces the linearity and continuity of their travel, acting as the next departure point.

• to Jotbathah:

  • Hebrew: Yotbathah (יָטְבָתָה). Appears again in Num 33:33 simply as Jotbath.
  • Meaning: Likely means "pleasantness," or "goodness." This etymology strongly resonates with the description that follows.
  • Contextual link: Positioned after difficult, arid areas, Jotbathah would have been a significant place of relief. Its identification has been challenging for archaeologists, but general consensus places it in the Arabah valley.
  • Significance: The destination's name foreshadows its defining characteristic. It marks a moment of refreshing relief provided by God after potentially harsh or arid sections of the journey.

• a land of brooks of water:

  • Hebrew: 'eretz nachalei mayim (אֶרֶץ נַחֲלֵי מָיִם).
  • 'eretz (אֶרֶץ): "land," "earth," or "country."
  • nachalei (נַחֲלֵי): "brooks," "streams," "wadis," or "torrents." Refers to watercourses, which in a desert often implies a place where water either flows permanently or accumulates after rains, supporting vegetation.
  • mayim (מַיִם): "water."
  • Emphasis: The phrase specifically highlights the abundance of water, a critical and precious resource in the desert. This contrasts sharply with previous descriptions of a "land of drought" (Deut 8:15).
  • Significance: This phrase is the climax of the verse. It serves as a direct reminder of God's provision and care for His people in their basic needs, even when they were disobedient. It is a miniature snapshot of the Promised Land itself, described often as "a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills" (Deut 8:7), thereby prefiguring the ultimate destination and God's consistent promise of abundant blessing. It showcases divine sustenance, reminding Israel that despite wilderness hardships, God consistently supplied their needs, mitigating the otherwise fatal challenges of desert travel.

Deuteronomy 10 7 Bonus section

The short itinerary details in Deut 10:6-7 have puzzled scholars due to their brevity and slight variations when compared to the fuller itinerary in Num 33. Some propose this section acts as a parenthetical note or an older, summarized tradition inserted by Moses, specifically to frame the establishment of the Levites' role (vv. 8-9) as taking place soon after Aaron's death, or as a quick reminder of God's leading amidst recent events. Regardless, its inclusion underscores Moses' intention to ground his theological arguments in concrete historical experiences. The naming of a specific site like Jotbathah as a source of water implicitly reminds the hearers that God, Yahweh, controls nature and ensures survival where other "gods" could not, contrasting with the unpredictability and harshness often experienced in desert regions if one depended on natural cycles alone. This highlights a quiet but profound polemic against the efficacy of pagan deities whose realms might be limited, whereas Israel's God governs all of creation to fulfill His promises to His people.

Deuteronomy 10 7 Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:7, though brief, is rich in theological implication. It presents two specific stops in Israel's forty-year wilderness journey. Gudgodah signifies just another point along the way, reminding us that God guides every step, even the less memorable ones. The climax comes with Jotbathah, explicitly labeled "a land of brooks of water." This vivid description serves as a powerful testament to God's continuous and particular providence. In a severe desert, the discovery or arrival at such an oasis was not merely convenient; it was existential. God did not abandon Israel to starve or thirst, despite their persistent faithlessness recalled elsewhere by Moses in the same discourse (Deut 9:7-24).

The verse is an assertion of historical reality and divine faithfulness. It affirms that the journey was not an amorphous wandering but a guided passage, demonstrating God's minute care for a rebellious people. Jotbathah's abundance of water in a desolate landscape prefigures the blessings of the Promised Land, itself a land "of brooks of water" (Deut 8:7). This provision highlights a core theme in Deuteronomy: God’s steadfast love (hesed) and covenant keeping. It also indirectly counters any polytheistic belief that gods were capricious or unable to sustain their followers through such harsh conditions. Israel's survival, nourished by manna and water from miraculous sources or natural springs like those at Jotbathah, underscored the singular power and benevolence of Yahweh, their God. The precise mention of location and resource underlines that God's covenant loyalty extends to tangible, daily needs.