Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 9

Introduction

Overview

Deuteronomy 9:1, Moses dissuades them from the opinion of their own righteousness, by rehearsing their several rebellions.

Verse 1

to pass: Deuteronomy 3:18, Deuteronomy 11:31, Deuteronomy 27:2, Joshua 1:11, Joshua 3:6, Joshua 3:14, Joshua 3:16, Joshua 4:5, Joshua 4:19

this day: The Hebrew hyyom, "this day," frequently denotes, as here, this time. They had come, 38 years before this, nearly to the verge of the promised land, but were not permitted, because of their unbelief and rebellion, at that day or time, to enter; but this time they shall certainly pass over. This was spoken in the eleventh month of the fortieth year of their journeying; and it was on the first month of the following year they passed over, and during this interval Moses died.

nations: Deuteronomy 4:38, Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 11:23

cities: Deuteronomy 1:28, Numbers 13:22, Numbers 13:28-33

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:4 - whose Numbers 33:51 - General Deuteronomy 12:10 - But when Joshua 12:8 - the Hittites Nehemiah 9:25 - strong Daniel 4:11 - reached Amos 2:9 - whose

Verse 2

great: Deuteronomy 2:11, Deuteronomy 2:12, Deuteronomy 2:21

Who can stand: Deuteronomy 7:24, Exodus 9:11, Job 11:10, Daniel 8:4, Daniel 11:16, Nahum 1:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:28 - strong Numbers 13:33 - saw the giants Deuteronomy 1:28 - The people Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims 1 Samuel 17:33 - Thou art not 1 Samuel 17:46 - will the Lord 2 Samuel 21:16 - of the sons Revelation 13:4 - who is able

Verse 3

Understand: Deuteronomy 9:6, Matthew 15:10, Mark 7:14, Ephesians 5:17

goeth over: Deuteronomy 1:30, Deuteronomy 20:4, Deuteronomy 31:3-6, Joshua 3:11, Joshua 3:14, Micah 2:13, Revelation 19:11-16

a consuming fire: Deuteronomy 4:24, Isaiah 27:4, Isaiah 30:27, Isaiah 30:30, Isaiah 30:33, Isaiah 33:14, Nahum 1:5, Nahum 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Hebrews 12:29

he shall: Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 7:16, Deuteronomy 7:23, Deuteronomy 7:24, Exodus 23:29-31, Isaiah 41:10-16, Romans 8:31

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:29 - cut off Deuteronomy 31:8 - he it is that Deuteronomy 33:27 - thrust Judges 1:4 - Lord Judges 4:14 - is not 1 Samuel 17:46 - will the Lord Psalms 50:3 - a fire

Verse 4

Speak not: Deuteronomy 9:5, Deuteronomy 7:7, Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 8:17, Ezekiel 36:22, Ezekiel 36:32, Romans 11:6, Romans 11:20, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:5, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:3-5

for the wickedness: Deuteronomy 12:31, Deuteronomy 18:12, Genesis 15:16, Leviticus 18:24, Leviticus 18:25

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:11 - I drive Deuteronomy 7:1 - the Lord Deuteronomy 9:6 - Understand Judges 11:24 - whomsoever Ezekiel 16:6 - Live Matthew 24:48 - say

Verse 5

Not for: Though the Canaanites were expelled for their wickedness, it does not follow, that the Israelites were established in their room on account of any distinguished virtue, or because they deserved it. On many occasions, it may be seen in the history of the world, that God punishes the wicked by the instrumentality of other men, who are as wicked as themselves. Not the Israelites' righteousness, but the wickedness of the inhabitants, and the promise of God to their fathers, was the cause of their obtaining Canaan. Titus 3:5

that he may: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:7, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 26:4, Genesis 28:13, Exodus 32:13, Ezekiel 20:14, Micah 7:20, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:55, Acts 3:25, Acts 13:32, Acts 13:33, Romans 11:28, Romans 15:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:29 - that God Exodus 34:11 - I drive Leviticus 20:23 - therefore Deuteronomy 4:37 - because Deuteronomy 7:8 - because Deuteronomy 9:4 - Speak not Deuteronomy 11:9 - sware Deuteronomy 11:23 - General Judges 11:24 - whomsoever 1 Samuel 12:22 - it hath 2 Samuel 7:21 - thy word's 1 Kings 11:13 - for David Nehemiah 9:8 - madest Psalms 105:42 - Abraham Ezekiel 36:22 - General Ezekiel 36:32 - for your Acts 13:17 - God Ephesians 2:4 - his Hebrews 11:8 - which

Verse 6

Understand: Deuteronomy 9:3, Deuteronomy 9:4, Ezekiel 20:44

giveth thee: Moses repeats this a third time, that, if it were possible, he might root out of the Israelites the opinion of their own deserts, before God rooted out the Canaanites from their country.

a stiffnecked: Deuteronomy 9:13, Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 31:27, Exodus 32:9, Exodus 33:3, Exodus 34:9, 2 Chronicles 30:8, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Psalms 78:8, Isaiah 48:3, Isaiah 48:4, Ezekiel 2:4, Zechariah 7:11, Zechariah 7:12, Acts 7:51, Romans 5:20, Romans 5:21

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:29 - into the land Deuteronomy 9:24 - General Nehemiah 9:16 - dealt Mark 10:5 - For Ephesians 2:4 - his

Verse 7

Remember: In order to destroy the opinion which the Israelites had of their own righteousness, it was necessary to call to mind some of their most notorious provocations and rebellions, which Moses exhorts them to preserve in their mind, as a means to keep them humble. Deuteronomy 8:2, Ezekiel 16:61-63, Ezekiel 20:43, Ezekiel 36:31, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:13-15

from the day: Deuteronomy 31:27, Deuteronomy 32:5, Deuteronomy 32:6, Exodus 14:11, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 17:2, Numbers 11:4, Numbers 14:1-10, Numbers 16:1-35, Numbers 20:2-5, Numbers 21:5, Numbers 25:2, Nehemiah 9:16-18, Psalms 78:8-72, Psalms 95:8-11

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:22 - knowest Numbers 14:9 - Only rebel Numbers 14:11 - provoke Deuteronomy 9:24 - General 1 Samuel 15:23 - rebellion Isaiah 30:1 - the rebellious Isaiah 48:8 - a transgressor Isaiah 63:10 - they rebelled Isaiah 65:2 - a rebellious Jeremiah 7:25 - the day Jeremiah 22:21 - This Jeremiah 32:30 - children Ezekiel 12:2 - thou Ezekiel 20:8 - they rebelled Micah 6:5 - remember Malachi 3:7 - from the Acts 13:18 - about

Verse 8

Also in Horeb: Or rather, "Even at Horeb," for there is a peculiar emphasis here, even there where they had lately received the law, attended with the most astonishing appearances and circumstances. Exodus 32:16, Psalms 106:19-22

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:11 - provoke Deuteronomy 9:19 - For I 1 Kings 11:9 - angry 1 Kings 14:9 - to provoke Ezra 9:14 - wouldest not thou Psalms 78:17 - General Ezekiel 20:13 - I said

Verse 9

I was: Exodus 24:12, Exodus 24:15, Exodus 24:18

the tables: Deuteronomy 9:15, Exodus 31:18, Exodus 34:28, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 31:32, Galatians 4:24

then I: Exodus 24:18, Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, Matthew 4:2

I neither: Deuteronomy 9:18, 1 Kings 13:8, 1 Kings 13:9, 2 Kings 6:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:12 - forty Exodus 19:20 - Moses went up Exodus 32:1 - delayed Exodus 32:16 - General Numbers 10:33 - the ark Deuteronomy 4:13 - he wrote Deuteronomy 9:11 - the tables of the covenant 1 Kings 8:21 - the covenant Luke 4:2 - forty Acts 1:3 - forty 2 Corinthians 3:7 - written

Verse 10

the Lord: Exodus 31:18

written with: Deuteronomy 10:4, Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Hebrews 8:10

all the words: Deuteronomy 4:10-15, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, Deuteronomy 18:16, Exodus 19:17-19, Exodus 20:1-18

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:33 - General

Verse 11

the tables of the covenant: Deuteronomy 9:9, Numbers 10:33, Hebrews 8:6-10, Hebrews 9:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:21 - the covenant Mark 1:13 - forty

Verse 12

Arise: Exodus 32:7, Exodus 32:8

corrupted: Deuteronomy 4:16, Deuteronomy 31:29, Deuteronomy 32:5, Genesis 6:11, Genesis 6:12, Jude 1:10

are quickly: Deuteronomy 9:16, Judges 2:17, Psalms 78:57, Hosea 6:4, Galatians 1:6

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 9:18 - General Psalms 78:17 - General Psalms 106:19 - General Ezekiel 3:11 - the children Ezekiel 20:13 - rebelled Acts 7:41 - they 1 Corinthians 10:7 - be

Verse 13

I have: Genesis 11:5, Genesis 18:21, Exodus 32:9, Exodus 32:10, Psalms 50:7, Jeremiah 7:11, Jeremiah 13:27, Hosea 6:10, Malachi 3:5

stiffnecked: Deuteronomy 9:6, Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 31:27, 2 Kings 17:14

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 9:16 - dealt Psalms 78:8 - as their Psalms 106:23 - he said Acts 7:51 - stiffnecked Romans 10:21 - a disobedient Galatians 3:19 - in

Verse 14

Let me: Exodus 32:10-13, Isaiah 62:6, Isaiah 62:7, Jeremiah 14:11, Jeremiah 15:1, Luke 11:7-10, Luke 18:1-8, Acts 7:51

blot: Deuteronomy 29:20, Exodus 32:32, Exodus 32:33, Psalms 9:5, Psalms 109:13, Proverbs 10:7, Revelation 3:5

and I will: Numbers 14:11, Numbers 14:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:22 - for Genesis 32:26 - Let me go Deuteronomy 7:24 - their name Deuteronomy 25:6 - that his name Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt 2 Kings 14:27 - blot out Ezra 9:14 - wouldest not thou Psalms 106:23 - he said

Verse 15

I turned: Exodus 32:14, 15-35

the mount: Deuteronomy 4:11, Deuteronomy 5:23, Exodus 9:23, Exodus 19:18, Hebrews 12:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:15 - turned Exodus 32:16 - General Exodus 34:1 - which Deuteronomy 9:9 - the tables Deuteronomy 10:5 - I turned 2 Corinthians 3:7 - written 2 Corinthians 12:21 - that I

Verse 16

I looked: Exodus 32:19, Acts 7:40, Acts 7:41

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:4 - fashioned Exodus 32:8 - have turned Deuteronomy 9:12 - are quickly Deuteronomy 9:25 - General Judges 2:17 - quickly Joel 2:17 - Spare 1 Corinthians 10:7 - be

Verse 17

cast them: Moses might have done this through distress and anguish of spirit, on beholding their abominable idolatry and dissolute conduct; or probably he did it emblematically, and perhaps by the direction of God; intimating thereby, that as by this act of his the tables were broken in pieces, on which the Law of God was written, so they, by their present conduct, had made a breach in the covenant, and broken the laws of their Maker and Sovereign. Deuteronomy 9:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:19 - he saw

Verse 18

I fell down: The transgressions of the people rendered this second forty days' fasting necessary to Moses. Their pardon was indeed in some sense obtained before he ascended the mount; yet probably much of the time which he spent there was employed in supplication, and when he descended the second time, with the tables of the law in his hands, the pardon was, as it were, ratified and sealed. Deuteronomy 9:9, Exodus 32:10-14, Exodus 34:28, 2 Samuel 12:16, Psalms 106:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:12 - forty Genesis 17:17 - fell Exodus 24:18 - forty days Exodus 32:11 - besought Exodus 32:31 - returned Deuteronomy 9:25 - General Deuteronomy 10:10 - I stayed 1 Kings 19:8 - forty days 2 Kings 14:24 - in the sight Ezra 10:6 - he did eat Job 1:20 - fell Proverbs 29:8 - wise Ezekiel 9:8 - that I Ezekiel 11:13 - Then Matthew 4:2 - fasted Mark 1:13 - forty Mark 14:35 - and fell Luke 4:2 - forty Acts 1:3 - forty 1 Corinthians 14:25 - falling James 5:16 - The effectual 1 John 5:16 - he shall ask

Verse 19

For I: Deuteronomy 9:8, Exodus 32:10, Exodus 32:11, Nehemiah 1:2-7, Luke 12:4, Luke 12:5

But the: Deuteronomy 10:10, Exodus 32:14, Exodus 33:17, Psalms 99:6, Psalms 106:23, Amos 7:2, Amos 7:3, Amos 7:5, Amos 7:6, James 5:16, James 5:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:31 - returned Numbers 11:2 - prayed Psalms 38:1 - hot Psalms 99:8 - thou wast Ecclesiastes 4:10 - if Ezekiel 11:13 - Then

Verse 20

Exodus 32:2-5, Exodus 32:21, Exodus 32:35, Hebrews 7:26-28

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:25 - Aaron Numbers 11:2 - prayed Numbers 21:7 - And Moses 1 Kings 11:9 - angry Job 42:10 - when Psalms 99:8 - though Ecclesiastes 4:10 - if

Verse 21

I took: Exodus 32:20, Isaiah 2:18-21, Isaiah 30:22, Isaiah 31:7, Hosea 8:11

the brook: This was the stream which flowed from the rock that Moses smote with his rod - Exodus 17:6, and to which the Psalmist alludes in Psalms 78:16-20, Psalms 105:41. Philo relates, that upon Moses' striking the rock, the water poured out like a torrent, affording not only a sufficient quantity for allaying their present thirst, but to fill their water vessels, to carry with them on their journey.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 7:5 - burn 1 Kings 15:13 - and burnt 2 Kings 21:15 - since the day 2 Kings 23:6 - and burned 2 Chronicles 15:16 - cut down 2 Chronicles 34:4 - made dust 2 Chronicles 34:7 - beaten Psalms 78:40 - How oft Psalms 106:19 - General Jeremiah 7:25 - the day Hosea 10:8 - the sin Amos 8:14 - sin Acts 13:18 - about 1 Corinthians 10:4 - followed them

Verse 22

Taberah: Numbers 11:1-5

Massah: Exodus 17:7

Kibrothhattaavah: Numbers 11:4, Numbers 11:34

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:11 - provoke Psalms 78:40 - How oft Psalms 106:14 - But Isaiah 1:2 - they have Isaiah 63:10 - they rebelled Jeremiah 32:30 - children Hebrews 3:8 - as

Verse 23

Likewise: Deuteronomy 1:19-33, Numbers 13:1-33

ye rebelled: Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:10-41, Isaiah 63:10

ye believed: Deuteronomy 1:32, Deuteronomy 1:33, Psalms 78:22, Psalms 106:24, Psalms 106:25, Hebrews 3:18, Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 4:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:3 - General Numbers 14:9 - Only rebel Numbers 14:11 - provoke Joshua 10:41 - Kadeshbarnea Nehemiah 9:16 - dealt Ezekiel 20:21 - the children

Verse 24

Deuteronomy 9:6, Deuteronomy 9:7, Deuteronomy 31:27, Acts 7:51

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:22 - knowest Numbers 14:9 - Only rebel Numbers 20:10 - General Deuteronomy 32:5 - a perverse 1 Samuel 8:8 - General 1 Samuel 15:23 - rebellion 1 Kings 14:9 - to provoke Nehemiah 9:16 - dealt Isaiah 30:1 - the rebellious Jeremiah 22:21 - This Ezekiel 2:3 - rebelled Ezekiel 12:2 - thou Ezekiel 20:21 - the children

Verse 25

Deuteronomy 9:16, Deuteronomy 9:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:17 - fell Exodus 24:18 - forty days Exodus 34:2 - in the top Exodus 34:28 - forty days Deuteronomy 10:10 - I stayed Psalms 106:23 - he said Matthew 4:2 - fasted Mark 1:13 - forty Luke 4:2 - forty 2 Corinthians 12:21 - that I Galatians 3:19 - in

Verse 26

prayed: Exodus 32:11-13, Exodus 34:9, Numbers 14:13-19, Psalms 99:6, Psalms 106:23, Jeremiah 14:21

thine inheritance: 1 Kings 8:51

which thou hast redeemed: Deuteronomy 9:29, Deuteronomy 32:9, Psalms 74:1, Psalms 74:2, Isaiah 63:19

which thou hast brought forth: Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 13:5, Deuteronomy 15:15, Deuteronomy 21:8, Deuteronomy 26:7, Deuteronomy 26:8, Exodus 15:13, 2 Samuel 7:23, Nehemiah 1:10, Psalms 77:15, Psalms 107:2, Isaiah 44:23, Micah 6:4, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Revelation 5:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:13 - consider Numbers 21:7 - And Moses Deuteronomy 4:20 - a people Deuteronomy 11:2 - his greatness Deuteronomy 33:4 - the inheritance 1 Kings 8:53 - separate Lamentations 2:20 - consider

Verse 27

Remember: Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:16, Exodus 6:3-8, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 32:13, Jeremiah 14:21

look not: Exodus 32:31, Exodus 32:32, 1 Samuel 25:25, Psalms 78:8, Proverbs 21:12, Isaiah 43:24, Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 50:20, Micah 7:18, Micah 7:19

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 9:16 - dealt Psalms 74:20 - Have Psalms 105:42 - Abraham Jeremiah 16:12 - imagination Ezekiel 2:3 - rebelled

Verse 28

the land: Genesis 41:57, Exodus 6:6-8, 1 Samuel 14:25

Because: Deuteronomy 32:26, Deuteronomy 32:27, Exodus 32:12, Numbers 14:15, Numbers 14:16, Joshua 7:7-9, Psalms 115:1, Psalms 115:2, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 48:9-11, Jeremiah 14:7-9, Ezekiel 20:8, Ezekiel 20:9, Ezekiel 20:14, Daniel 9:18, Daniel 9:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:27 - The Lord hated us

Verse 29

Yet they: Deuteronomy 9:26, Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:15, Nehemiah 1:10, Psalms 95:7, Psalms 100:3, Isaiah 63:19

which thou: Deuteronomy 9:26, Deuteronomy 4:34

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:13 - consider 1 Kings 8:53 - separate Psalms 28:9 - bless Psalms 74:2 - purchased Psalms 77:15 - with Psalms 106:40 - his own