Deuteronomy 1:6

Authorized King James Version

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The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

Original Language Analysis

יְהוָ֧ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֧ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 1 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 2 of 11
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
דִּבֶּ֥ר spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 3 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵלֵ֖ינוּ H413
אֵלֵ֖ינוּ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 11
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּחֹרֵ֣ב unto us in Horeb H2722
בְּחֹרֵ֣ב unto us in Horeb
Strong's: H2722
Word #: 5 of 11
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 6 of 11
to say (used with great latitude)
רַב long enough H7227
רַב long enough
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 7 of 11
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
לָכֶ֥ם H0
לָכֶ֥ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 11
שֶׁ֖בֶת Ye have dwelt H3427
שֶׁ֖בֶת Ye have dwelt
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בָּהָ֥ר in this mount H2022
בָּהָ֥ר in this mount
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 10 of 11
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 11 of 11
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

Moses recounts God's directive to depart from Horeb, emphasizing that it was time to move from receiving the law to acting on it. The command to 'go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto' specifies the land's boundaries—from the Arabah to the mountain region, from the lowland to the Negev, from the seacoast to Lebanon and the Euphrates. This comprehensive geographical description demonstrates God's specific promises and Israel's vast inheritance. The Hebrew 'bo' (go/enter) implies taking possession, not merely visiting.

Historical Context

God's command came at Horeb after the covenant was established and the tabernacle constructed. The land description encompasses the full extent of the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 15:18-21), though Israel never fully possessed it until David and Solomon's reigns. The Amorites represent the Canaanite peoples generally. The boundaries describe roughly modern Israel/Palestine plus portions of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

Questions for Reflection

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