Deuteronomy 29:2
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 22
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
unto all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
unto all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רְאִיתֶ֗ם
unto them Ye have seen
H7200
רְאִיתֶ֗ם
unto them Ye have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 22
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 #:
11 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֨ה
did
H6213
עָשָׂ֨ה
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָ֤ה
all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
before your eyes
H5869
לְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
before your eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אַרְצֽוֹ׃
and unto all his land
H776
אַרְצֽוֹ׃
and unto all his land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּלְכָל
H3605
וּלְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
The ten plagues, exodus, and Red Sea crossing were the defining events of Israel's national existence. This generation was young during the exodus but old enough to remember Egypt's devastation and Israel's deliverance.
Moses regularly appeals to this shared memory throughout Deuteronomy, using past acts as foundation for present obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What role does eyewitness testimony play in establishing faith?
- How does personal experience of God's acts create accountability?
- Why does Moses emphasize the comprehensive scope of God's judgments?
- How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen present trust?
- What role should rehearsing God's mighty acts have in Christian teaching?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land. Moses appeals to eyewitness testimony - ye have seen - reminding Israel of God's mighty acts in Egypt. This generation personally witnessed the plagues, the passover, and the exodus, making them direct witnesses to God's power and faithfulness.
The emphasis before your eyes stresses personal observation. These are not distant legends or second-hand reports but events they personally experienced. This creates accountability - they cannot claim ignorance or doubt about God's reality and power.
The comprehensive scope unto Pharaoh...his servants...his land indicates the totality of God's judgment on Egypt. All levels of Egyptian society from pharaoh to peasants experienced God's power, demonstrating His sovereignty over the nations.
This pattern of remembering God's past acts grounds faith - what God has done demonstrates what He can do. Historical memory of divine faithfulness strengthens present trust and future hope.