Deuteronomy Chapter 6 · Verse 22
And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
shewed
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
shewed
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֡ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֡ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אוֹתֹ֣ת
signs
H226
אוֹתֹ֣ת
signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
3 of 11
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:34Or 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?Psalms 91:8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.Deuteronomy 7:19The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
Historical Context
The ten plagues (Exodus 7-12) systematically demonstrated Yahweh's superiority over Egyptian gods: Nile (Hapi), frogs (Heqet), sun (Ra), etc. Each plague increased in severity, culminating in firstborn death. Pharaoh's household suffered especially—his magicians failed, his officials begged surrender, his firstborn died. These 'signs and wonders' authenticated Moses' message and revealed God's sovereign power. Israel's children would hear this testimony, strengthening faith across generations. Christian testimony similarly proclaims God's mighty acts in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the 'signs and wonders' in Egypt demonstrate that salvation requires divine intervention, not human effort?
- What parallels exist between God's deliverance from Egypt and Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan?
Analysis & Commentary
The testimony continues: 'the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household.' The Hebrew 'otot u-mophtim' (signs and wonders) indicates miraculous divine intervention demonstrating God's power and authority. The plagues were 'great and sore'—comprehensive and severe, breaking Egypt's pride and power. The specific targeting 'upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household' demonstrates divine judgment against those oppressing God's people. This verse emphasizes that redemption requires divine power overcoming enemies—believers cannot save themselves but require sovereign deliverance.