Deuteronomy Chapter 4 · Verse 20

Authorized King James Version

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But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Original Language Analysis

וְאֶתְכֶם֙ H853
וְאֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָקַ֣ח hath taken H3947
לָקַ֣ח hath taken
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 2 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה But the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה But the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיּוֹצִ֥א you and brought you forth H3318
וַיּוֹצִ֥א you and brought you forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 4 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶתְכֶ֛ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִכּ֥וּר furnace H3564
מִכּ֥וּר furnace
Strong's: H3564
Word #: 6 of 14
a pot or furnace (as if excavated)
הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל out of the iron H1270
הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל out of the iron
Strong's: H1270
Word #: 7 of 14
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם even out of Egypt H4714
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם even out of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 8 of 14
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
לִֽהְי֥וֹת H1961
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ל֛וֹ H0
ל֛וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 14
לְעַ֥ם to be unto him a people H5971
לְעַ֥ם to be unto him a people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 11 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
נַֽחֲלָ֖ה of inheritance H5159
נַֽחֲלָ֖ה of inheritance
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
כַּיּ֥וֹם as ye are this day H3117
כַּיּ֥וֹם as ye are this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 13 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 14 of 14
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

Israel's election is grounded in God's redemptive act—'brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt.' The 'iron furnace' metaphor depicts Egypt's cruel bondage and suffering, yet also God's refining purpose (cf. 1 Peter 1:6-7). The purpose clause 'to be unto him a people of inheritance' reveals divine election: God chose Israel not for inherent merit but to be His treasured possession. The Hebrew 'nachalah' (inheritance) indicates permanent, covenantal relationship. This prefigures New Covenant election where God redeems His people from sin's bondage to be His prized possession (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9).

Historical Context

Egypt's oppression of Israel (Exodus 1-12) included forced labor making bricks, infanticide, and systematic brutality—the 'iron furnace' of affliction. God's deliverance through ten plagues, Passover, and Red Sea crossing demonstrated His sovereign power and covenant faithfulness. This exodus became Israel's defining redemptive event, constantly rehearsed in worship and teaching (Psalms 78, 105, 106). The exodus typifies Christian redemption from sin's bondage through Christ, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Questions for Reflection