Deuteronomy 10:21

Authorized King James Version

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He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Original Language Analysis

ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 15
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
תְהִלָּֽתְךָ֖ He is thy praise H8416
תְהִלָּֽתְךָ֖ He is thy praise
Strong's: H8416
Word #: 2 of 15
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
וְה֣וּא H1931
וְה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 15
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
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ and he is thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ and he is thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 15
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
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֣ה that hath done H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה that hath done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אִתְּךָ֗ H853
אִתְּךָ֗
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגְּדֹלֹ֤ת for thee these great H1419
הַגְּדֹלֹ֤ת for thee these great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 9 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנּֽוֹרָאֹת֙ and terrible things H3372
הַנּֽוֹרָאֹת֙ and terrible things
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 11 of 15
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
הָאֵ֔לֶּה H428
הָאֵ֔לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 12 of 15
these or those
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָא֖וּ have seen H7200
רָא֖וּ have seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ which thine eyes H5869
עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ which thine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 15 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis & Commentary

He is thy praise—The Hebrew construction makes God Himself the substance and object of Israel's worship. Not merely the One who receives praise, Yahweh is the content—His character, deeds, and glory are what Israel boasts in. This anticipates Paul's 'He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord' (1 Corinthians 1:31, quoting Jeremiah 9:23-24). God's excellence is Israel's sole ground of confidence.

That hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen—Moses appeals to eyewitness testimony of God's mighty acts: the plagues, Red Sea crossing, Sinai theophany, wilderness provision. Nora'ot (terrible things) refers to awe-inspiring demonstrations of divine power. This verse links worship to remembrance—rehearsing God's redemptive history fuels praise. For Christians, Christ's cross and resurrection are the 'great and terrible things' that become our testimony and the substance of our praise (1 Peter 2:9).

Historical Context

Moses spoke to the generation born in the wilderness who witnessed the water from the rock, manna, quail, and God's judgments. Their parents saw the exodus; they saw God's faithfulness during 40 years of wandering. This living memory was to fuel perpetual worship.

Questions for Reflection

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