Deuteronomy 3:24

Authorized King James Version

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O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Original Language Analysis

אֲדֹנָ֣י O Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י O Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 1 of 21
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֗ה GOD H3069
יְהוִ֗ה GOD
Strong's: H3069
Word #: 2 of 21
god
אַתָּ֤ה H859
אַתָּ֤ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 3 of 21
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
הַֽחִלּ֙וֹתָ֙ thou hast begun H2490
הַֽחִלּ֙וֹתָ֙ thou hast begun
Strong's: H2490
Word #: 4 of 21
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
לְהַרְא֣וֹת to shew H7200
לְהַרְא֣וֹת to shew
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 5 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶֽת H853
אֶֽת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַבְדְּךָ֔ thy servant H5650
עַבְדְּךָ֔ thy servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 7 of 21
a servant
אֶ֨ת H853
אֶ֨ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גָּדְלְךָ֔ thy greatness H1433
גָּדְלְךָ֔ thy greatness
Strong's: H1433
Word #: 9 of 21
magnitude (literally or figuratively)
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָֽדְךָ֖ hand H3027
יָֽדְךָ֖ hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 11 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַֽחֲזָקָ֑ה and thy mighty H2389
הַֽחֲזָקָ֑ה and thy mighty
Strong's: H2389
Word #: 12 of 21
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִי H4310
מִי
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 14 of 21
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
אֵל֙ for what God H410
אֵל֙ for what God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 15 of 21
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם is there in heaven H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם is there in heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 16 of 21
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וּבָאָ֔רֶץ or in earth H776
וּבָאָ֔רֶץ or in earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 17 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה that can do H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה that can do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 19 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְמַֽעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ according to thy works H4639
כְמַֽעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ according to thy works
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 20 of 21
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
וְכִגְבֽוּרֹתֶֽךָ׃ and according to thy might H1369
וְכִגְבֽוּרֹתֶֽךָ׃ and according to thy might
Strong's: H1369
Word #: 21 of 21
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

Analysis & Commentary

Moses's prayer reveals profound theology and personal anguish. The address אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (Adonai YHWH, 'Lord GOD') combines two divine titles—sovereign master and covenant name—expressing both reverence and intimacy. The phrase אַתָּה הַחִלּוֹתָ (attah hachilota, 'You have begun') is significant—God initiated revealing His greatness to Moses, suggesting there's infinitely more to see. The word גָּדְלְךָ (godlekha, 'Your greatness') emphasizes magnitude and magnificence, while יָדְךָ הַחֲזָקָה (yadkha hachazaqah, 'Your mighty hand') refers to God's powerful interventions in history.

The rhetorical question מִי־אֵל בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ (mi-el bashamayim uva'aretz, 'what god in heaven and on earth') asserts absolute uniqueness—no deity compares to YHWH. The phrase כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ וְכִגְבוּרֹתֶךָ (kema'asekha vekhigvurotekha, 'like Your works and like Your mighty acts') references the Exodus, wilderness provision, and victories over Sihon and Og. Moses's use of עַבְדְּךָ (avdekha, 'Your servant') shows humility despite his unique relationship with God. This prayer demonstrates that even intimate knowledge of God only reveals how much more there is to know—divine revelation is always partial in this life.

Historical Context

This prayer occurs at a crucial moment—Israel stands east of the Jordan River after defeating the Amorite kings Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 2-3). Moses, now 120 years old, desperately pleads to enter the Promised Land despite God's prohibition (due to his sin at Meribah, Numbers 20:12). The phrase 'You have begun to show' reflects Moses's 40 years of experiencing God's power—the ten plagues, Red Sea crossing, Sinai revelation, wilderness provision, and military victories. Yet Moses recognizes he's only glimpsed God's greatness. His plea is denied (Deuteronomy 3:26), but God graciously allows him to view Canaan from Mount Nebo before his death. This prayer demonstrates that even the greatest servants face disappointment, yet maintain faith in God's incomparability.

Questions for Reflection

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