Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 1

Introduction

Overview

Deuteronomy 1:1, Moses’ speech in the end of the fortieth year; Deuteronomy 1:6, briefly rehearsing the history of God’s sending them from Horeb; Deuteronomy 1:14, of giving them officers; Deuteronomy 1:19, of sending the spies to search the land; Deuteronomy 1:34, of his anger for their incredulity; Deuteronomy 1:41, and disobedience.

Verse 1

on this: Numbers 32:5, Numbers 32:19, Numbers 32:32, Numbers 34:15, Numbers 35:14, Joshua 9:1, Joshua 9:10, Joshua 22:4, Joshua 22:7

Red Sea: or, Zuph, Or rather, Suph, This could not have been the Red Sea, not only because the word yam, "sea," is not joined with it as usual, but because they were now east of Jordan, and farther from the Red Sea than ever. It seems to be the same which is called Suphah in Numbers 21:14, which must necessarily signify some place in or adjoining to the plains of Moab, and not far from the Jordan and Arnon. Ptolemy mentions a people called Sophonites that dwelt in Arabia Petrea, who may have taken their name from this place.

Paran: Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab, seem to have been either places or cities not far from the plains of Moab; for it is evident that Paran and Hazeroth could not have been those near the Red sea, and not far from Horeb. Deuteronomy 33:2, Genesis 21:21, Numbers 10:12, Numbers 12:16, Numbers 13:3, Numbers 13:26, 1 Samuel 25:1, Habakkuk 3:3

Hazeroth: Numbers 11:35, Numbers 33:17, Numbers 33:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:21 - God Genesis 50:10 - beyond Numbers 33:21 - Libnah Deuteronomy 5:1 - all Israel Deuteronomy 11:29 - General 1 Kings 11:18 - Paran

Verse 2

by the way: Deuteronomy 1:44, Deuteronomy 2:4, Deuteronomy 2:8, Numbers 20:17-21

unto: Leviticus 2:14, Leviticus 9:23, Numbers 13:26, Numbers 32:8, Joshua 14:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 33:2 - journeys Deuteronomy 1:19 - we came Deuteronomy 2:1 - we compassed Deuteronomy 2:14 - Kadeshbarnea Deuteronomy 11:29 - General 1 Chronicles 4:42 - mount Seir

Verse 3

Numbers 20:1, Numbers 33:38

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:5 - according Numbers 14:33 - forty years Deuteronomy 8:2 - led thee Deuteronomy 29:5 - I have led Joshua 3:1 - rose early Joshua 5:6 - walked Psalms 95:10 - Forty

Verse 4

Deuteronomy 2:26-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-11, Numbers 21:21-35, Joshua 12:2-6, Joshua 13:10-12, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalms 135:11, Psalms 136:19, Psalms 136:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Ashteroth Numbers 21:33 - Og Deuteronomy 4:46 - Moses Joshua 9:10 - Ashtaroth Joshua 12:4 - dwelt Joshua 21:27 - Golan 1 Chronicles 6:71 - Ashtaroth

Verse 5

to declare: Deuteronomy 4:8, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 32:46

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:20 - country Numbers 22:1 - on this side Deuteronomy 4:44 - General Deuteronomy 4:46 - On this side

Verse 6

in Horeb: Deuteronomy 5:2, Exodus 3:1, Exodus 17:6

Ye have: Exodus 19:1, Exodus 19:2, Numbers 10:11-13

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:22 - abode Numbers 33:16 - they removed Deuteronomy 2:3 - long enough

Verse 7

the mount: Genesis 15:16-21, Exodus 23:31, Numbers 34:3-12, Joshua 24:15, Amos 2:9

all the places: Heb. all his neighbours

in the plain: Deuteronomy 11:11, Joshua 10:40, Joshua 11:16, Joshua 11:17

the great: Deuteronomy 11:24, Joshua 1:4, 2 Samuel 8:3, 1 Chronicles 5:9, 1 Chronicles 18:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:14 - Euphrates Genesis 15:18 - Unto thy Exodus 3:8 - unto a good Numbers 9:22 - abode Numbers 34:2 - is the land Deuteronomy 1:20 - the mountain Joshua 13:5 - Lebanon Judges 3:3 - in mount 1 Timothy 5:21 - without preferring

Verse 8

set: Heb. given

which: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:14, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:16, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 22:16-18, Genesis 26:3, Genesis 26:4, Genesis 28:13, Genesis 28:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:7 - which spake Genesis 50:24 - sware Exodus 16:35 - the borders Numbers 34:2 - is the land Deuteronomy 1:20 - the mountain Deuteronomy 2:31 - give Sihon Deuteronomy 6:23 - to give us Nehemiah 9:15 - go Jeremiah 32:22 - which

Verse 9

I am not: Exodus 18:18, Numbers 11:11-14, Numbers 11:17

Reciprocal: Numbers 11:14 - General Deuteronomy 1:12 - General Acts 6:2 - we should Romans 13:6 - attending 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Beareth

Verse 10

your God: Deuteronomy 10:22, Deuteronomy 28:62, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 28:14, Exodus 12:37, Exodus 32:13, Numbers 1:46, 1 Chronicles 27:23, Nehemiah 9:23

ye are this day: This was the promise made by God to Abraham - Genesis 15:5, Genesis 15:6, which Moses considers now as amply fulfilled. Many suppose the expression to be hyperbolical; and others, no friends to revelation, think it a vain, empty boast, because the stars, in their apprehension, amount to innumerable millions. But, as this refers to the number of stars that appear to the naked eye, which only amount to about 3,010 in both hemispheres, the number of the Israelites far exceeded this; for independently of women and children, at the last census, they amounted to more than 600,000.

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 46:3 - I will Genesis 48:19 - become Numbers 10:36 - many thousands of Israel Ezekiel 16:7 - excellent ornaments Hebrews 6:14 - multiplying Hebrews 11:12 - as the stars

Verse 11

make you: 2 Samuel 24:3, 1 Chronicles 21:3, Psalms 115:14

and bless you: Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 26:4, Genesis 49:25, Exodus 32:13, Numbers 6:27, Numbers 22:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:15 - The Lord

Verse 12

Deuteronomy 1:9, Exodus 18:13-16, Numbers 11:11-15, 1 Kings 3:7-9, Psalms 89:19, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 3:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:17 - not good 1 Kings 11:28 - charge Galatians 6:2 - Bear

Verse 13

Take: Heb. Give, Exodus 18:21, Numbers 11:16, Numbers 11:17, Acts 1:21-23, Acts 6:2-6

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:33 - look out Numbers 30:1 - General Micah 3:1 - Is it Acts 6:3 - look

Verse 15

I took: Deuteronomy 16:18, Exodus 18:25, Exodus 18:26

made: Heb. gave, Ephesians 4:11

captains over thousands: Numbers 31:14, 1 Samuel 8:12, 1 Samuel 17:18, 1 Samuel 22:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:6 - officers Exodus 18:21 - rulers of thousands Numbers 1:16 - heads Numbers 10:4 - General Numbers 11:16 - officers Numbers 13:2 - a ruler Deuteronomy 20:5 - the officers Joshua 10:6 - mountains 1 Chronicles 12:20 - captains 1 Chronicles 15:25 - captains 1 Chronicles 27:1 - captains Psalms 58:1 - O congregation Isaiah 3:3 - captain Micah 5:2 - thousands Matthew 21:33 - husbandmen Luke 20:9 - husbandmen

Verse 16

charged: Deuteronomy 27:11, Deuteronomy 31:14, Numbers 27:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Timothy 6:17

Hear: Deuteronomy 16:18, Deuteronomy 16:19, Exodus 23:2, Exodus 23:3, Exodus 23:7, Exodus 23:8, Leviticus 19:15, 2 Samuel 23:3, 2 Chronicles 19:6-10, Psalms 58:1, John 7:24

the stranger: Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 10:19, Deuteronomy 24:14, Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9, Leviticus 24:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:6 - the judges Judges 11:10 - be witness 2 Chronicles 19:9 - in the fear Proverbs 18:5 - not Proverbs 31:9 - General Ezekiel 18:8 - hath executed

Verse 17

shall not: Deuteronomy 10:17, Deuteronomy 16:19, Leviticus 19:15, 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Samuel 14:14, Proverbs 24:23, Luke 20:21, Acts 10:34, Acts 10:35, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, James 2:1, James 2:3, James 2:9, 1 Peter 1:17

respect persons: Heb. acknowledge faces, That is, let not the bold, daring countenances of the rich or mighty induce you to give an unrighteous decision; and let not the abject look of the poor man induce you either to favour him in an unrighteous cause, or to give judgment against him at the demand of the oppressor.

ye shall hear: Exodus 23:3, Exodus 23:6, Exodus 23:7, 1 Samuel 12:3, 1 Samuel 12:4, Job 22:6-9, Job 29:11-17, Job 31:13-16, Psalms 82:3, Psalms 82:4, Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:23, Jeremiah 5:28, Jeremiah 5:29, Amos 5:11, Amos 5:12, Micah 2:1-3, Micah 3:1-4, Micah 7:3, Micah 7:4, James 2:2-4, James 2:5

ye shall not: 1 Kings 21:8-14, Job 31:34, Proverbs 29:25, Jeremiah 1:17, Matthew 22:16, Mark 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:4

the judgment: 2 Chronicles 19:6

the cause: Deuteronomy 17:8-10, Exodus 18:18, Exodus 18:22, Exodus 18:26

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:2 - to decline 2 Chronicles 18:30 - small or great 2 Chronicles 19:9 - in the fear 2 Chronicles 34:30 - great and small Job 32:21 - accept Psalms 82:2 - accept Proverbs 18:5 - not Ezekiel 18:8 - hath executed Malachi 2:9 - have been partial in John 7:19 - not John 7:24 - General John 7:51 - General

Verse 18

Deuteronomy 4:5, Deuteronomy 4:40, Deuteronomy 12:28, Deuteronomy 12:32, Matthew 28:20, Acts 20:20, Acts 20:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:20 - work

Verse 19

through: Deuteronomy 8:15, Deuteronomy 32:10, Numbers 10:12, Jeremiah 2:6

we came: Deuteronomy 1:2, Numbers 13:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:7 - Kadesh Genesis 20:1 - Kadesh Numbers 13:3 - General Deuteronomy 2:14 - Kadeshbarnea Deuteronomy 9:23 - Likewise Joshua 15:23 - Kedesh

Verse 20

the mountain: Deuteronomy 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:8

Reciprocal: Amos 2:10 - to possess

Verse 21

fear not: Deuteronomy 20:1, Numbers 13:30, Numbers 14:8, Numbers 14:9, Joshua 1:9, Psalms 27:1-3, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:11, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:2, Luke 12:32, Hebrews 13:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:29 - General Joshua 8:1 - Fear not Nehemiah 4:14 - General Amos 2:10 - to possess

Verse 22

We will send: The people proposed this measure through unbelief; Moses, mistaking their motive, approved of it; and God, being justly displeased, permitted them to follow their own counsel, which proved injurious to them only through their sin and folly. Numbers 13:1-20

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:2 - Send thou Numbers 20:1 - Then Numbers 32:8 - General

Verse 23

Numbers 13:3-33

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:1 - Then Numbers 32:8 - General Joshua 4:2 - twelve men 1 Samuel 20:7 - It is well

Verse 24

Numbers 13:21-27, Joshua 2:1, Joshua 2:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:23 - brook Numbers 32:9 - General 2 Samuel 23:30 - brooks

Verse 25

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:8 - unto a good Numbers 13:23 - brook Numbers 13:27 - General Numbers 14:7 - an exceeding good land

Verse 26

Numbers 14:1-4, Psalms 106:24, Psalms 106:25, Isaiah 63:10, Acts 7:51

Reciprocal: Hebrews 3:18 - but

Verse 27

The Lord hated us: Deuteronomy 9:28, Exodus 16:3, Exodus 16:8, Numbers 14:3, Numbers 21:5, Matthew 25:24, Luke 19:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:2 - murmured Psalms 106:25 - murmured Mark 14:5 - And they

Verse 28

discouraged: Heb. melted, Deuteronomy 20:8, *marg. Exodus 15:15, Joshua 2:9, Joshua 2:11, Joshua 2:24, *marg. Joshua 14:8, Isaiah 13:7, Ezekiel 21:7

The people: Deuteronomy 9:1, Deuteronomy 9:2, Numbers 13:28-33

walled: That is, with very high walls, which could not be easily scaled. Harmer says, high walls are still to be seen in Arabia, and are deemed a sufficient defence against the Arabs, who scarcely ever attempt to plunder except on horseback. The monastery on Mount Sinai, and the convent of St. Anthony in Egypt, are surrounded with a very high wall, without gates; the persons and things being taken up and let down through an opening in the upper part, by means of a pulley and a basket. This kind of walling is a sufficient defence.

we have seen: Deuteronomy 9:2, Joshua 11:22, Joshua 15:14, Judges 1:10, Judges 1:20, 2 Samuel 21:16-22

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:4 - whose Numbers 13:31 - General Numbers 13:32 - brought Numbers 13:33 - saw the giants Numbers 32:7 - wherefore Deuteronomy 2:11 - as the Anakims Deuteronomy 2:21 - great Deuteronomy 3:5 - General Deuteronomy 20:20 - thou shalt build Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims 2 Samuel 17:10 - utterly melt Amos 2:9 - whose Luke 10:15 - which John 21:25 - that even

Verse 29

Deuteronomy 1:21

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 7:18 - shalt not Deuteronomy 31:6 - fear not 2 Chronicles 20:15 - Be not afraid Nehemiah 4:14 - General

Verse 30

he shall: Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Exodus 14:14, Exodus 14:25, Joshua 10:42, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:46, 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 14:12, 2 Chronicles 32:8, Nehemiah 4:20, Psalms 46:11, Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10, Romans 8:31, Romans 8:37

according: Exodus 7:1-25, Exodus 15:1-27, Psalms 78:11-13, Psalms 78:43-51, Psalms 105:27-36

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:22 - for the Lord Deuteronomy 6:22 - before Deuteronomy 9:3 - goeth over Deuteronomy 20:4 - to fight Joshua 10:14 - for the Lord 2 Chronicles 20:15 - Be not afraid Nehemiah 4:14 - General Jeremiah 31:2 - found John 10:4 - he goeth

Verse 31

in the wilderness: Exodus 16:1 - Exodus 17:16, Nehemiah 9:12-23, Psalms 78:14-28, Psalms 105:39-41

bare thee: Deuteronomy 32:11, Deuteronomy 32:12, Exodus 19:4, Numbers 11:11, Numbers 11:12, Numbers 11:14, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 46:3, Isaiah 46:4, Isaiah 63:9, Hosea 11:3, Hosea 11:4, Acts 13:18, *marg.

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:22 - which have Isaiah 1:2 - I have Jeremiah 31:32 - in the

Verse 32

2 Chronicles 20:20, Psalms 78:22, Psalms 106:24, Isaiah 7:9, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:18, Hebrews 3:19, Jude 1:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:11 - believe me Deuteronomy 9:23 - ye believed 2 Kings 17:14 - did not believe

Verse 33

Who went: Exodus 13:21, Numbers 10:33, Psalms 77:20, Ezekiel 20:6

in fire: Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:22, Exodus 14:19, Exodus 14:20, Exodus 14:24, Exodus 40:34-38, Numbers 9:15-22, Numbers 10:11, Numbers 10:12, Numbers 14:14, Nehemiah 9:12, Psalms 78:14, Psalms 105:39, Isaiah 4:5, Isaiah 4:6, Zechariah 2:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:16 - it pleased Pharaoh well Numbers 9:16 - General Deuteronomy 8:2 - led thee Deuteronomy 9:23 - ye believed Jeremiah 31:2 - found 1 Corinthians 10:1 - were

Verse 34

and sware: Deuteronomy 2:14, Deuteronomy 2:15, Numbers 14:22-30, Numbers 32:8-13, Psalms 95:11, Ezekiel 20:15, Hebrews 3:8-11

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:10 - General Numbers 32:14 - to augment Joshua 15:13 - Caleb Psalms 95:8 - in the Psalms 106:26 - Therefore 1 Corinthians 10:5 - General Hebrews 3:11 - I sware Hebrews 3:18 - to whom

Verse 35

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:15 - The Lord Numbers 14:23 - Surely they shall not see Numbers 14:28 - As truly Numbers 32:11 - from twenty Numbers 32:14 - to augment Deuteronomy 2:14 - until all the generation Deuteronomy 6:23 - to give us Psalms 14:3 - there Psalms 95:8 - in the Psalms 95:11 - I sware Psalms 106:26 - Therefore Psalms 119:52 - remembered Jeremiah 32:22 - which Ezekiel 20:15 - I lifted 1 Corinthians 10:5 - General Hebrews 3:11 - I sware Hebrews 3:18 - to whom

Verse 36

Caleb: Numbers 13:6, Numbers 13:30, Numbers 26:65, Numbers 32:12, Numbers 34:19, Joshua 14:6-14, Judges 1:12-15

wholly followed: Heb. fulfilled to go after, Numbers 14:24

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:30 - save Caleb Joshua 14:8 - wholly Judges 1:20 - they gave Psalms 119:52 - remembered Hebrews 3:16 - not

Verse 37

Deuteronomy 3:23-26, Deuteronomy 4:21, Deuteronomy 34:4, Numbers 20:12, Numbers 27:13, Numbers 27:14, Psalms 106:32, Psalms 106:33

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:5 - bring us Deuteronomy 3:26 - the Lord

Verse 38

Joshua: Numbers 13:8, Numbers 13:16, Numbers 14:30, Numbers 14:38, Numbers 26:65

which standeth: Exodus 17:9-14, Exodus 24:13, Exodus 33:11, 1 Samuel 16:22, Proverbs 22:29

encourage him: Deuteronomy 3:28, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 31:14, Deuteronomy 31:23, Numbers 27:18-23, Joshua 1:1, Joshua 1:6-9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:21 - stood before him 1 Kings 18:15 - before whom I Jeremiah 40:10 - serve Hebrews 3:16 - not

Verse 39

your little: Numbers 14:3, Numbers 14:31

which in: Isaiah 7:15, Isaiah 7:16, Jonah 4:11, Romans 9:11, Ephesians 2:3

Reciprocal: Joshua 5:7 - their children Psalms 90:16 - and Isaiah 8:4 - before Amos 2:10 - to possess

Verse 40

Numbers 14:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:4 - by the way Deuteronomy 2:1 - we turned Judges 11:16 - walked

Verse 41

We have sinned: Numbers 14:39, Numbers 14:40-45, Numbers 22:34, Proverbs 19:3

Reciprocal: Psalms 78:9 - The children

Verse 42

Go not up: Numbers 14:41, Numbers 14:42

for I am not: Leviticus 26:17, Joshua 7:8-13, 1 Samuel 4:2, 1 Samuel 4:10, Isaiah 30:17, Isaiah 59:1, Isaiah 59:2, Hosea 9:12

Reciprocal: Psalms 60:10 - didst

Verse 43

but rebelled: Isaiah 63:10, Acts 7:51, Romans 8:7, Romans 8:8

went presumptuously up: Heb. ye were presumptuous and went up, Numbers 14:44

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:14 - presumptuously Numbers 15:30 - doeth ought

Verse 44

chased you: When bees are provoked or disturbed, the whole swarm attack and pursue whatever annoys them, with great courage and fury, and sometimes are a most formidable enemy. They were so troublesome in some districts of Crete, that, according to Pliny, the inhabitants were actually compelled to forsake their homes. Alian reports, that some places in Scythia were formerly inaccessible on account of the numerous swarms of bees with which they were infested. Mr. Park relates, that some of his associates imprudently attempted to rob a numerous hive which they found in their way. The exasperated little animals rushed out to defend their property, and attacked them with so much fury, that they quickly compelled the whole company of men, horses, and asses, to scamper off in all directions. The horses were never recovered, and a number of the asses were so severely stung, that they died the next day. Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 32:30, Psalms 118:12, Isaiah 7:18

unto Hormah: Numbers 14:45, Numbers 21:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:36 - and the Numbers 13:17 - the mountain Deuteronomy 1:2 - by the way Joshua 7:5 - for they Joshua 15:30 - Hormah

Verse 45

Psalms 78:34, Hebrews 12:17

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:1 - General

Verse 46

Numbers 14:25, Numbers 14:34, Numbers 20:1, Numbers 20:22, Judges 11:16, Judges 11:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:7 - Kadesh Numbers 15:1 - General Deuteronomy 2:14 - Kadeshbarnea