Deuteronomy 7 19

Deuteronomy 7:19 kjv

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.

Deuteronomy 7:19 nkjv

the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

Deuteronomy 7:19 niv

You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.

Deuteronomy 7:19 esv

the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So will the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

Deuteronomy 7:19 nlt

Remember the great terrors the LORD your God sent against them. You saw it all with your own eyes! And remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The LORD your God will use this same power against all the people you fear.

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:19 serves as a profound reassurance to Israel, instructing them to recall the overwhelming displays of God's power during their exodus from Egypt. It mandates remembering "the great trials," "signs," "wonders," "strong hand," and "outstretched arm" through which the Lord delivered them from Pharaoh's grip. The verse then establishes a direct link between these past mighty acts and their future challenges, promising that the same Lord will execute identical judgment and deliverance upon the formidable peoples Israel is about to face in Canaan, thereby removing their fear.

Deuteronomy 7 19 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 7 forms part of Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deut 7:1-11) issue stern commands against making covenants with the native peoples of Canaan, marrying their daughters, or tolerating their idolatry. God calls for the utter destruction of their pagan objects. The reason for these strict instructions is not Israel's superiority, but God's gracious choice and steadfast love for them (Deut 7:7-8). He reiterates His covenant faithfulness (Deut 7:9-10), emphasizing that obedience will lead to blessings (Deut 7:12-16).

Immediately prior to Deut 7:19, verse 18 directly addresses the fear the Israelites might feel regarding the Canaanite nations, stating, "You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt." Verse 19 then elaborates on what they should remember, detailing the specific aspects of God's miraculous power demonstrated in the Exodus. Thus, it grounds their future courage and conquest in God's demonstrated past faithfulness and omnipotence. The promise is that God will replicate His mighty acts for Israel's current adversaries, ensuring victory and dispelling fear.

Deuteronomy 7 19 Word analysis

• the great trials (מַסֹּות גְּדֹלֹת - massot gedolot):

  • "great" (גְּדֹלֹת - gedolot): Implies vastness, magnitude, and profound impact. These were not minor difficulties but overwhelming demonstrations of divine power.
  • "trials" (מַסֹּות - massot): While often meaning "tests" (like the wilderness wanderings for Israel), here it refers more to "trials inflicted" upon Egypt or the "providential events" experienced by Israel. It directly points to the plagues and judgments God brought upon Egypt, which were overwhelming experiences designed to prove His sovereignty.
  • Significance: Highlights the severe, undeniable nature of God's interventions against their oppressors, proving His supreme authority.

• which your eyes saw:

  • "your eyes": Emphasizes direct, personal, undeniable witnessing of God's power. It was not hearsay but lived experience for the generation that left Egypt.
  • Significance: Grounds faith in observable historical events, not abstract concepts. It appeals to their own memory as irrefutable evidence.

• and the signs (וְהָאֹתוֹת - v'ha'otot):

  • "signs" (אֹתוֹת - otot): Miraculous proofs or credentials. These pointed beyond the immediate event to the divine authorship and served as indications of God's active presence and purpose.
  • Significance: The plagues were not random disasters but intentional acts bearing clear messages of God's judgment and ultimate triumph.

• and the wonders (וְהַמֹּפְתִים - v'hamoftim):

  • "wonders" (מֹפְתִים - moftim): Extraordinary, awe-inspiring events that provoke astonishment. Often paired with "signs," these describe the astonishing, supernatural nature of God's deeds.
  • Significance: They demonstrate God's unique ability to transcend natural laws, showcasing His omnipotence and control over creation.

• and the strong hand (וְהַיָּד הַחֲזָקָה - v'hayad hakhazaqah):

  • "strong hand" (יָּד חֲזָקָה - yad chazaqah): An anthropomorphism (ascribing human characteristics to God) representing God's immense power, authority, and forceful exertion. It signifies irresistible might, often involving compulsion or overpowering force.
  • Significance: Denotes the absolute power God wielded over Pharaoh and Egypt, compelling them to release Israel against their will.

• and the outstretched arm (וְהַזְּרֹועַ הַנְּטוּיָה - v'hazroa' han'tuyah):

  • "outstretched arm" (זְרֹועַ נְטוּיָה - z'roa' n'tuyah): Another powerful anthropomorphism depicting God in action, actively engaged in deliverance or judgment. It conveys direct intervention, relentless exertion of power, and often implies widespread, visible impact.
  • Significance: Illustrates God's personal and dynamic involvement in bringing Israel out, showing a divine posture of powerful action, unyielding and all-encompassing.

• by which the LORD your God brought you out:

  • "by which": Clear attribution of all these powerful acts to the specific means God used for their salvation.
  • "the LORD your God": Reinforces the covenant relationship. It is not a distant, generic deity but YHWH, their personal God, who acted so powerfully on their behalf.
  • "brought you out": Emphasizes the foundational act of deliverance from bondage, the central historical event defining Israel's relationship with God.
  • Significance: Clearly credits the Exodus to God's sole, active intervention, forming the basis of their national identity and worship.

• So will the LORD your God do:

  • "So will": A strong declarative statement of continuity and consistency. It’s a direct promise that past action will be repeated in the future.
  • Significance: This links God's character (omnipotence and faithfulness) to His future actions. It builds faith by providing an unwavering assurance based on a proven track record.

• to all the peoples of whom you are afraid:

  • "all the peoples": Not just one, but every single nation or tribe that stands in Israel's way.
  • "of whom you are afraid": Directly addresses Israel's natural human fear (reiterated from Deut 7:18 and relevant throughout the wilderness narrative and conquest). It acknowledges their apprehension while providing the ultimate solution – God's intervention.
  • Significance: This directly applies the Exodus narrative as a blueprint for the conquest of Canaan, promising God will fight for Israel and grant them victory over seemingly insurmountable adversaries. It offers practical encouragement for overcoming fear through trust in divine power.

Deuteronomy 7 19 Bonus section

• Polemical Purpose: This verse contains an implicit but powerful polemic against the gods of Egypt and the future gods of Canaan. By detailing God's overwhelming power, it contrasts YHWH's active, world-altering capabilities with the impotence and non-existence of idols and pagan deities, none of whom could perform such acts for their worshippers or against their adversaries.
• Foundation for Identity: The specific language of "strong hand" and "outstretched arm" became iconic phrases, woven throughout Israel's historical and prophetic literature, forever tying their identity and deliverance to God's unparalleled might and fidelity. These phrases symbolize God's sovereign initiative and action.
• Anthropomorphic Richness: The anthropomorphisms ("hand," "arm," "eyes") vividly convey God's active, personal, and powerful involvement in human history, demonstrating that He is not a passive or distant deity, but one who directly intervenes on behalf of His covenant people.

Deuteronomy 7 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:19 is a bedrock verse for understanding God's active engagement with His people, bridging the past and the future. It calls the Israelites, then standing on the edge of the Promised Land, to actively recall and dwell on the undeniable, awe-inspiring demonstrations of divine power in the Exodus. The use of repetitive, vivid descriptions like "great trials," "signs," "wonders," "strong hand," and "outstretched arm" serves to deeply embed these historical realities into their memory and collective consciousness. This isn't merely an academic recollection; it's a foundation for living faith. The God who liberated them from a superpower like Egypt, despite seemingly insurmountable odds, is the very same God who promises to fight for them against the daunting inhabitants of Canaan. Their fear is acknowledged, but swiftly overcome by the divine assurance that the Lord's power remains constant and directed towards their deliverance. This promise necessitates active remembrance and unwavering trust, providing both courage for battle and motivation for obedience.