Deuteronomy 1:19
And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.
Original Language Analysis
וַנִּסַּ֣ע
And when we departed
H5265
וַנִּסַּ֣ע
And when we departed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
מֵֽחֹרֵ֗ב
from Horeb
H2722
מֵֽחֹרֵ֗ב
from Horeb
Strong's:
H2722
Word #:
2 of 23
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
וַנֵּ֡לֶךְ
H1980
וַנֵּ֡לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר
wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר
wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 23
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
הַגָּדוֹל֩
all that great
H1419
הַגָּדוֹל֩
all that great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
7 of 23
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְהַנּוֹרָ֨א
and terrible
H3372
וְהַנּוֹרָ֨א
and terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
8 of 23
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
הַה֜וּא
H1931
הַה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רְאִיתֶ֗ם
which ye saw
H7200
רְאִיתֶ֗ם
which ye saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 23
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַ֣ר
of the mountain
H2022
הַ֣ר
of the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
14 of 23
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֹתָ֑נוּ
H853
אֹתָ֑נוּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַנָּבֹ֕א
us and we came
H935
וַנָּבֹ֕א
us and we came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:2(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.)Jeremiah 2:6Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?Deuteronomy 8:15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.Numbers 13:26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.Numbers 10:12And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
Historical Context
The inclusion of strangers ('ger') in legal protections was revolutionary in ancient Near Eastern law codes. This principle flows from Israel's own experience as strangers in Egypt and God's command to remember and care for the vulnerable (Exodus 22:21; 23:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you treat those who lack social standing or family connections?
- In what ways can you extend justice and kindness to 'strangers' in your community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The comprehensive scope—'between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him'—extends justice beyond blood relations to include foreigners residing among Israel. This reflects God's concern for the vulnerable and marginalized, as strangers lacked family protection and tribal advocacy. True righteousness transcends ethnic and social boundaries, treating all image-bearers with equal dignity under God's law.