Deuteronomy Chapter 6 · Verse 21
Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:
Original Language Analysis
לְבִנְךָ֔
unto thy son
H1121
לְבִנְךָ֔
unto thy son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָיִ֥ינוּ
H1961
הָיִ֥ינוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפַרְעֹ֖ה
We were Pharaoh's
H6547
לְפַרְעֹ֖ה
We were Pharaoh's
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
5 of 11
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
וַיֹּֽצִיאֵ֧נוּ
brought us out
H3318
וַיֹּֽצִיאֵ֧נוּ
brought us out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Deuteronomy 15:15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.Deuteronomy 5:6I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Historical Context
Egypt enslaved Israel approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13, Exodus 12:40), intensifying oppression with forced labor and infanticide before the exodus (Exodus 1:8-22). God raised up Moses, sent ten plagues demonstrating power over Egyptian gods, instituted Passover, and delivered Israel through Red Sea crossing (Exodus 1-15). This redemptive event became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, constantly rehearsed in worship (Psalms 78, 105, 106, 136). Christian preaching similarly proclaims redemption from sin's bondage through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does beginning the gospel story with bondage rather than human potential emphasize salvation as grace, not merit?
- In what ways does the exodus serve as type and pattern for presenting Christian redemption from sin's slavery?
Analysis & Commentary
The commanded response begins with personal testimony: 'We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt.' Starting with slavery emphasizes grace—salvation is deliverance from bondage, not reward for merit. The historical specificity ('Pharaoh...Egypt') grounds faith in objective redemptive events, not subjective experience or mythology. The verb 'brought us out' attributes deliverance entirely to divine initiative. This verse models gospel presentation: begin with humanity's enslaved condition, then proclaim God's gracious rescue. The Reformed emphasis on God's sovereignty in salvation appears clearly—redemption is entirely divine work.