Deuteronomy 6 22

Deuteronomy 6:22 kjv

And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:

Deuteronomy 6:22 nkjv

and the LORD showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household.

Deuteronomy 6:22 niv

Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders?great and terrible?on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.

Deuteronomy 6:22 esv

And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.

Deuteronomy 6:22 nlt

The LORD did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people.

Deuteronomy 6 verses

Deuteronomy 6 22 Meaning

This verse serves as a foundational historical reminder to the Israelites of God's miraculous intervention in delivering them from Egyptian bondage. It highlights the potent and destructive display of divine power—manifested through signs and wonders that were both immense and devastating—specifically directed against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his entire administration. This act profoundly validated the LORD's supremacy and His covenant faithfulness in liberating His people.

Deuteronomy 6 22 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 6 presents the "Shema," Israel's central declaration of faith, emphasizing exclusive devotion to the LORD and the command to love Him with all one's heart, soul, and might. Following this, Moses instructs the new generation to diligently teach these commandments to their children, grounding their obedience in their historical identity and divine liberation. Verse 22 provides the factual and historical basis for future generations' understanding of why they should obey God: because He alone, by a display of unparalleled power, rescued their ancestors from slavery. It serves as a potent reminder not to forget God's mighty hand and the unique relationship forged through this pivotal act of salvation, setting the stage for all subsequent covenant requirements.

Deuteronomy 6 22 Word analysis

• and the LORD: (וַיָּבֹא יְהוָה, wayyābō' YHWH) Refers to God by His covenant name, Yahweh. This emphasizes that it was the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel who acted directly, powerfully, and purposefully, underscoring His unique identity and active involvement in history.
• showed: (נָתַן, natan) Literally means "gave," "put," or "placed." In this context, it conveys "performed," "executed," or "displayed." It signifies that God actively initiated and carried out these powerful acts, not merely allowing them to happen.
• signs: (אֹתֹת, otot) Refers to supernatural phenomena or tokens that serve as indicators, proofs, or authentication of divine presence, truth, or a specific message. They were meant to point to a greater reality beyond themselves.
• and wonders: (וּמֹפְתִים, umoftim) Usually paired with "signs," these are astounding acts that evoke awe, astonishment, and often dread. They demonstrate God's extraordinary power and the breaking of natural laws, highlighting His ability to work outside human understanding.
• great: (גְּדֹלִים, g'dolim) Denotes immense scale, extraordinary power, and overwhelming significance. It signifies the magnitude and profundity of God's deeds, leaving an undeniable and lasting impact.
• and harmful: (וְרָעִים, wera'im) Derived from ra', which means "evil," "bad," "calamitous," or "disastrous." Here, it describes the severe, destructive, and painful effects of God's actions upon the Egyptians. It signifies that the wonders were not just impressive but had calamitous consequences for God's enemies, embodying His judgment.
• against Egypt: (בְּמִצְרַיִם, bᵉmitsrayim) Pinpoints Egypt, the land of their enslavement, as the specific object of God's judgment and the arena for His display of power.
• against Pharaoh: (בְּפַרְעֹה, bᵉpar'oh) Highlights the personal and specific divine opposition against the king of Egypt, the direct oppressor and symbol of the empire's defiance against God.
• and against all his household: (וְעַל כָּל בֵּיתוֹ, wᵉ'al kol bêyṯô) Extends the divine judgment to encompass Pharaoh's entire family, his royal court, administrative staff, and effectively the ruling infrastructure and influential people of Egypt. This signifies a comprehensive and total defeat of the Egyptian power structure by the LORD.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "the LORD showed signs and wonders": This foundational phrase establishes the divine authorship of the miraculous events, emphasizing that these extraordinary occurrences were not random but purposeful acts orchestrated by Yahweh. It identifies God as uniquely powerful and actively engaged in human history to reveal His nature and His will.
• "great and harmful": This describes the dual impact and character of God's intervention. "Great" underscores the undeniable, overwhelming scale and power of these events, leaving no room to doubt their divine origin. "Harmful" or "calamitous" explicitly points to the severe, destructive, and judgmental consequences exacted upon God's adversaries, demonstrating the serious repercussions of defying Him.
• "against Egypt, against Pharaoh, and against all his household": This clearly defines the targets of God's punitive actions, demonstrating His precise and comprehensive judgment. This systematic dismantling of the oppressive power structure (the nation, its ruler, and his entire administration) showcases God's sovereignty over earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to liberate His people thoroughly.

Deuteronomy 6 22 Bonus section

• Pedagogical Mandate: This verse is embedded within Moses's instructions on teaching future generations. It provides the historical answer to the child's question, "What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?" (Deut 6:20), firmly rooting Israel's obedience in the saving acts of God.
• Polemics against Idolatry: The plagues described were not just random disasters; many scholars argue they directly challenged specific Egyptian deities (e.g., the Nile God Hapi, the frog goddess Heqet, Ra the sun god). God's victory through these "signs and wonders" served as a powerful polemic, definitively demonstrating His superiority over the entire pantheon of Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself, who was considered a living deity.
• Foundation for Obedience: For the Israelites, remembering God's mighty acts against Egypt was meant to inspire a fear of the LORD and motivate unwavering loyalty, lest they face a similar fate as those who resisted Him. It highlights that true freedom comes only from submission to the true God.

Deuteronomy 6 22 Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:22 encapsulates the bedrock of Israel's faith and identity: their miraculous deliverance by a powerful and personal God. The "signs and wonders" were not merely displays of might; they were strategic acts designed to achieve specific outcomes: to break Egypt's hold, liberate Israel, and demonstrate Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty over all other supposed gods and human powers. The description "great and harmful" is critical, indicating that God's power has a judgmental and destructive aspect when opposed. For the Egyptians, it was devastating judgment; for Israel, it was mighty salvation. This verse serves as a crucial theological and historical reference point for subsequent generations, explaining why they owe God exclusive allegiance and absolute obedience. It's a reminder that their present well-being and future blessings are fundamentally rooted in God's past, decisive action on their behalf.