Deuteronomy 17:16
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Original Language Analysis
רַק֮
H7535
רַק֮
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הַרְבּ֣וֹת
But he shall not multiply
H7235
הַרְבּ֣וֹת
But he shall not multiply
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
3 of 22
to increase (in whatever respect)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָשׁ֛וּב
return
H7725
לָשׁ֛וּב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָם֙
to himself nor cause the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
to himself nor cause the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הַרְבּ֣וֹת
But he shall not multiply
H7235
הַרְבּ֣וֹת
But he shall not multiply
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
12 of 22
to increase (in whatever respect)
וַֽיהוָה֙
forasmuch as the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָה֙
forasmuch as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹֽסִפ֗וּן
unto you Ye shall henceforth
H3254
תֹֽסִפ֗וּן
unto you Ye shall henceforth
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
18 of 22
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
לָשׁ֛וּב
return
H7725
לָשׁ֛וּב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
19 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בַּדֶּ֥רֶךְ
no more that way
H1870
בַּדֶּ֥רֶךְ
no more that way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
20 of 22
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:68And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.Ezekiel 17:15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Hosea 11:5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.Exodus 13:17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:1 Kings 4:26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.1 Kings 1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.Hosea 14:3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.1 Samuel 8:11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern warfare (circa 1400-1000 BCE), horses and chariots represented cutting-edge military technology, particularly associated with Egypt and later the Hittites. Israel entered Canaan as infantry; God's strategy was faith-based warfare (Joshua 11:6-9 specifically commands hamstringing captured horses). Deuteronomy 17:14-20 restricts kingship three ways: military power (horses), political alliances (wives), and economic wealth (gold/silver). Moses anticipates monarchy's temptations 200 years before Saul's anointing. Solomon's violation of all three restrictions led directly to the kingdom's division (1 Kings 11-12).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents to 'multiplying horses' tempt God's people to trust in human strength rather than divine provision?
- How does pursuing worldly security and alliances represent a spiritual 'return to Egypt'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But he shall not multiply horses to himself (לֹא־יַרְבֶּה־לּוֹ סוּסִים, lo-yarbeh-lo susim)—horses symbolized military might and Egyptian-style chariot warfare. Yarbeh (multiply) means accumulate excessively. God forbids royal militarism that trusts in armaments rather than divine protection.
Nor cause the people to return to Egypt identifies the deeper issue: horses came from Egypt, and acquiring them meant Egyptian alliances, trade relationships, and cultural influence. Egypt represents the world system, slavery, and false security. Returning to Egypt—physically or spiritually—reverses the exodus. Isaiah 31:1-3 denounces this exact sin: 'Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots.' Solomon spectacularly violated this command (1 Kings 10:26-29), accumulating 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, with Egyptian trade relationships that contributed to his apostasy.