Deuteronomy 9 29

Deuteronomy 9:29 kjv

Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

Deuteronomy 9:29 nkjv

Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm.'

Deuteronomy 9:29 niv

But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm."

Deuteronomy 9:29 esv

For they are your people and your heritage, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.'

Deuteronomy 9:29 nlt

But they are your people and your special possession, whom you brought out of Egypt by your great strength and powerful arm.'

Deuteronomy 9 verses

Deuteronomy 9 29 Meaning

Deuteronomy 9:29 concludes Moses' fervent prayer of intercession for the people of Israel after their severe sin of the golden calf, as he recounts it to the new generation. In this verse, Moses appeals to God's very character and previous redemptive acts. He reminds God that the Israelites, despite their profound disobedience, are still "Your people" and "Your inheritance," a chosen possession established by divine covenant. The phrase "whom You brought out by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm" serves as a powerful reminder of God's mighty and unparalleled deliverance from Egyptian bondage, a definitive act that marked them as His own. The essence of the plea is rooted not in Israel's merit, but solely in God's established relationship with them and His revealed power, making a case for His continued mercy and commitment to His name and glory among the nations.

Deuteronomy 9 29 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 9 serves as a powerful historical recounting by Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, before entering the Promised Land. This particular chapter aims to disabuse them of any notion that their forthcoming success in conquering Canaan is due to their own righteousness or strength. Instead, Moses emphatically states that it is because of the wickedness of the present inhabitants and God's faithfulness to His covenant oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deut 9:5-6). To underscore their unworthiness, Moses recounts the most egregious act of rebellion in their history: the worship of the golden calf at Mount Horeb (Deut 9:7-21). Verses 25-29 are part of Moses' earnest and desperate intercessory prayer before the LORD at that time, a prayer that successfully averted divine destruction of the nation. Verse 29 encapsulates Moses' core appeal: even though they rebelled, they are fundamentally God's chosen, redeemed people, and their destruction would compromise God's reputation, linking God's glory to their very existence. The historical context thus shows God's profound grace and Moses' exemplary intercession in the face of human sin.

Deuteronomy 9 29 Word analysis

• Yet (אַךְ - 'akh): This conjunctive particle often means "surely," "only," or "but." Here, it functions adversatively, implying a contrast. It highlights that despite all their sinfulness and the grounds for their destruction mentioned earlier in the chapter, there is still this mitigating factor. It signals the critical point of Moses' argument for mercy.
• they are (הֵם - hem): Simple demonstrative pronoun, emphasizing the subjects of the preceding discussion, namely the rebellious Israelites.
• Your people (עַמֶּךָ - ‘ammeka): Derived from ‘am meaning "people, nation." This term signifies a covenantal relationship, highlighting divine ownership and identification. It evokes a deep familial or communal bond between God and Israel, established through election and promise, not through Israel's merit. It refers to a special, exclusive relationship unparalleled by other nations (Deut 4:20, 7:6).
• Your inheritance (נַחֲלָתֶךָ - naḥalātekā): From naḥalāh, meaning "inheritance, possession, heritage." This powerful metaphor describes Israel as God’s treasured possession, something specifically acquired and deeply valued. It signifies that God Himself has a portion in His people, and they are His divinely allotted portion or inheritance among all the nations. It underscores His proprietary right and unique interest in them (Deut 32:9; Psa 33:12).
• whom (אֲשֶׁר - 'asher): Relative pronoun connecting the people and inheritance to the preceding divine act.
• You brought out (הוֹצֵאתָ - hotseta): From yatza, meaning "to bring out, lead forth." This specifically refers to the Exodus from Egypt, the seminal event that defined Israel's identity and validated God's power and faithfulness. It's an undeniable, irrefutable act of God's redemptive power.
• by Your great power (בְּכֹחֲךָ הַגָּדוֹל - bekochakhah haggadol): Koach means "strength, power, ability." Gadōl means "great, mighty." This emphasizes the overwhelming, irresistible might of God, necessary to overcome Pharaoh's dominion. It refers to God's inherent strength, manifested in miracles and judgments against Egypt.
• and by Your outstretched arm (וּבִזְרֹעֲךָ הַנְּטוּיָה - uvizro'acha hannetuyah): Zeroa means "arm, strength." Naṭuy means "stretched out, extended." This is a recurring anthropomorphic metaphor for God's active, demonstrated power, particularly in delivering Israel from slavery. The "outstretched arm" visually conveys an act of exertion, dominance, and a visible display of God's mighty intervention. It points to a decisive, unyielding, and public act of salvation.

• "Your people, Your inheritance": This phrase serves as the bedrock of Moses' argument. It emphasizes that Israel's identity is irrevocably tied to God's choosing and possession. Even in their rebellion, this foundational relationship remains. Their existence reflects His name and commitment.
• "whom You brought out by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm": This phrase recounts the divine initiative and overwhelming power displayed in the Exodus. It highlights that Israel’s very freedom and nationhood are direct results of God’s active, mighty, and undeniable intervention. This act binds God to His people in a profound way, suggesting that to destroy them would negate His prior redemptive work and His revealed power. It is an appeal to God's own honor and consistency.

Deuteronomy 9 29 Bonus section

This verse profoundly illustrates the theological concept of "corporate solidarity" where the actions of the nation, and their identity, are intrinsically linked to God's past, present, and future dealings with them. Moses, in this intercession, effectively argues that God’s own reputation among the nations, who witnessed the Exodus, hinges on His continued faithfulness to Israel. The phrase "outstretched arm" is more than a poetic device; it denotes God's active involvement, a powerful metaphor repeatedly used in the Old Testament to signify definitive acts of divine judgment or salvation (e.g., Exod 6:6; 7:5; Deut 5:15; Jer 32:21). The profound humility of Moses is evident in that he does not excuse Israel's sin but throws them entirely upon the mercies of God, reminding Him of His own nature and covenant. This also serves as a pedagogical point for the new generation: their place as God's people is by grace, not by their works or strength.

Deuteronomy 9 29 Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:29 encapsulates the core of Moses' intercessory prayer, grounding it entirely in God's character and His previous redemptive acts rather than in Israel's merit. Moses’ appeal is brilliantly theological: since God Himself took such powerful initiative to bring Israel out of Egypt—displaying His "great power" and "outstretched arm"—their destruction would reflect negatively on His omnipotence and faithfulness in the eyes of the nations. It would imply that the God who triumphantly rescued them was unable or unwilling to preserve them. Thus, Moses frames the issue as one of God's reputation and covenant commitment. The repeated "Your people" and "Your inheritance" highlight the deep, proprietary bond God initiated and established with Israel. It reminds us that salvation is always a divine work, originating from God's sovereign choice and sustained by His faithfulness, providing an eternal lesson on God's steadfast love despite human failing.