Deuteronomy 9:25

Authorized King James Version

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Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

Original Language Analysis

הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי Thus I fell down H5307
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי Thus I fell down
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 1 of 16
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה at the first because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה at the first because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֣ת H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים and forty H705
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים and forty
Strong's: H705
Word #: 5 of 16
forty
הַיּ֛וֹם days H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 6 of 16
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
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים and forty H705
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים and forty
Strong's: H705
Word #: 8 of 16
forty
הַלַּ֖יְלָה nights H3915
הַלַּ֖יְלָה nights
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי Thus I fell down H5307
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי Thus I fell down
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 11 of 16
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָמַ֥ר had said H559
אָמַ֥ר had said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֖ה at the first because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה at the first because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד he would destroy H8045
לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד he would destroy
Strong's: H8045
Word #: 15 of 16
to desolate
אֶתְכֶֽם׃ H853
אֶתְכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis & Commentary

Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you. Moses reiterates his extended intercession, emphasizing both its duration and its necessity. The repetition of forty days and nights stresses the costly nature of effective advocacy.

The phrase as I fell down at the first indicates Moses' posture of complete humility and supplication. He prostrated himself before God in earnest pleading for Israel's preservation. This physical position reflected spiritual desperation - Moses threw himself on God's mercy.

Moses' intercession was motivated by imminent judgment - the LORD had said he would destroy you. This was not vague possibility but declared intention. Only faithful mediation stood between Israel and annihilation, previewing Christ's greater mediation that delivers believers from certain judgment.

The fact that Moses repeats this information (verse 18 already mentioned this) emphasizes the severity of Israel's situation and the miracle of their preservation. They owed their existence entirely to mediatorial intercession.

Historical Context

This extended intercession occurred twice - once after the golden calf, once after the Kadesh rebellion. Both times Israel stood under God's declared intention to destroy them and start over with Moses. Both times Moses' faithful advocacy secured their preservation.

These intercessions prefigured Christ's advocacy, which secures not temporary reprieve but eternal salvation for His people.

Questions for Reflection

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