Deuteronomy 4:34

Authorized King James Version

Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Word-by-Word Analysis

א֣וֹ׀

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

הֲנִסָּ֣ה

H5254

assayed

to test; by implication, to attempt

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם

H430

Or hath God

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

לָ֠בוֹא

H935

to go

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָקַ֨חַת

H3947

and take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

ל֣וֹ

גּוֹי֒

H1471

him a nation

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מִקֶּ֣רֶב

H7130

from the midst

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

גּוֹי֒

H1471

him a nation

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#10

בְּמַסֹּת֩

H4531

by temptations

a testing, of men (judicial) or of god (querulous)

#11

בְּאֹתֹ֨ת

H226

by signs

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

#12

וּבְמֽוֹפְתִ֜ים

H4159

and by wonders

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

#13

וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗ה

H4421

and by war

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#14

וּבְיָ֤ד

H3027

hand

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

#15

חֲזָקָה֙

H2389

and by a mighty

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

#16

וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ

H2220

arm

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

#17

נְטוּיָ֔ה

H5186

and by a stretched out

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

#18

וּבְמֽוֹרָאִ֖ים

H4172

terrors

fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed

#19

גְּדֹלִ֑ים

H1419

and by great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#20

כְּ֠כֹל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#21

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#22

עָשָׂ֨ה

H6213

did

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#23

לָכֶ֜ם

#24

יְהוָ֧ה

H3068

according to all that the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#25

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם

H430

Or hath God

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

#26

בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם

H4714

for you in Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#27

לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃

H5869

before your eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this verse's literary context within Deuteronomy chapter 4 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Deuteronomy 4:34

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources