Deuteronomy 29 5

Deuteronomy 29:5 kjv

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

Deuteronomy 29:5 nkjv

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.

Deuteronomy 29:5 niv

Yet the LORD says, "During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.

Deuteronomy 29:5 esv

I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

Deuteronomy 29:5 nlt

For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.

Deuteronomy 29 verses

Deuteronomy 29 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 29:5 reveals God's continuous and extraordinary provision for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. Despite prolonged wandering through harsh terrain, their clothing and footwear miraculously did not wear out, symbolizing His unwavering care, protection, and faithfulness in sustaining their basic physical needs beyond natural means.

Deuteronomy 29 5 Context

This verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites in Moab, before they enter the Promised Land. Moses is recounting the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness and their obligation to obey Him. Deuteronomy chapter 29 begins with Moses reaffirming the covenant made at Horeb and expanding it with a new generation. This specific verse (29:5) is a direct appeal to their recent history, reminding them of God's extraordinary miraculous provisions and interventions during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It serves to underscore the unique relationship they had with Yahweh and His commitment to sustaining them despite their past disobedience and the harsh environment. The historical context is the end of the forty-year wilderness period, which was a period of divine judgment and purification for the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-barnea, ensuring that a new generation prepared to enter Canaan would be aware of God's power and their absolute dependence on Him.

Deuteronomy 29 5 Word analysis

• And I have led you (וָאוֹלֵךְ, va'olech): From the Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (halak), meaning "to walk," "to go," or "to lead." The prefix indicates "I" and "led" is past tense. This emphasizes God's active, purposeful guidance and superintendence, rather than a mere accidental journey. It implies a direct, sovereign leading of His people through a period designed by Him.
• forty years (אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה, arba'im shana): "Forty" is a biblically significant number often associated with testing, purification, and periods of divine preparation or judgment (e.g., Noah's flood, Moses on Sinai, Jesus' temptation). Here, it signifies the duration of Israel's divinely ordained discipline and formative period in the wilderness.
• in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר, bamidbar): This term refers to a barren, desolate region, often treacherous. In biblical narrative, the wilderness is a place of severe testing and hardship, but paradoxically also a place of unique intimacy with God, where reliance on Him is absolute.
• your clothes (שִׂמְלֹתֵיכֶם, simlotekem): This refers to their outer garments or clothes. Given the primitive conditions, this would be their primary attire, essential for protection from elements. The preservation implies an ongoing, complete miracle that covered every individual.
• are not worn out (לֹא בָלוּ, lo balu): From the verb בָּלָה (balah), meaning "to wear out," "to decay," or "to consume." The negation indicates an unnatural state of perpetual newness or preservation, defying the natural process of deterioration from continuous use.
• on you: Specifies that the clothes remained on their persons, functional and whole.
• and your sandals (וְנַעֲלֶיךָ, ve'na'alayikh): Footwear, critically important for protecting feet from rough terrain, rocks, and heat in a desert environment. Sandals are particularly susceptible to wear and tear. Their mention highlights the meticulous nature of God's provision.
• are not worn out: Reinforces the same miraculous preservation seen with the clothes, underscoring the completeness of the provision even for the most vulnerable and used items.
• on your feet: Similar to "on you" for clothes, it indicates the sandals remained functional on their feet throughout the period.

Words-group analysis:

• "And I have led you forty years in the wilderness": This phrase highlights the intentional and prolonged divine guidance of Israel through a challenging, transformative period. God was not merely observant but actively directing their journey, providing a consistent presence and protection throughout their judgment period. The duration and location emphasize total dependence on God.
• "your clothes are not worn out on you, and your sandals are not worn out on your feet": This combined statement serves as a concrete, tangible evidence of God's miraculous power and minute-by-minute provision. It describes a phenomenon that utterly defies natural laws – objects that should deteriorate over decades of daily use remained perfectly intact. This wasn't just survival; it was comfortable preservation. It suggests a miraculous renewal, a resistance to decay, or a supernatural adapting of existing garments to the wearer, demonstrating God's meticulous care over even the smallest details of His people's physical well-being. It underscores God's commitment to His covenant, even during a period of their disobedience and testing.

Deuteronomy 29 5 Bonus section

The miraculous preservation of clothes and sandals in Deuteronomy 29:5 went beyond merely keeping them from falling apart. It encompassed adapting to the growth of individuals from childhood into adulthood over the forty years. This implies a supernatural adjustment of existing garments or new garments provided in a way that defied normal wear, illustrating the continuous and perfect nature of God's provision. This was a unique mark of God's special care for Israel, differentiating them from other peoples and emphasizing their identity as a nation sustained solely by His hand. This physical, earthly sustenance prefigured a deeper, spiritual sustenance; just as God provided for their bodies, He continually provided for their souls through His covenant and Word, an assurance of His unwavering commitment to their holistic well-being.

Deuteronomy 29 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:5 stands as a profound witness to God's detailed and unwavering providence. This verse is not just a historical recounting but a theological statement: God sustains His people supernaturally. For forty years, a generation experienced God defying the natural order for their benefit – their clothing and sandals did not wear out. This miracle extends beyond mere basic survival to include comfort and dignity in the harsh wilderness, revealing a God who cares not only for grand deliverances but also for daily necessities. It emphasizes His meticulous attention to detail and His capacity to provide outside conventional means. The primary lesson for Israel, and for us, is one of total dependence and trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that if He cares for clothing and footwear in a desolate land, He will certainly provide for every need. This historical fact served as an irrefutable proof of God's presence, power, and covenant loyalty, reminding them to trust Him as they entered the unknown future. It fostered an understanding that God alone was their Sustainer.