Deuteronomy Chapter 9 · Verse 26

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Original Language Analysis

וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל I prayed H6419
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל I prayed
Strong's: H6419
Word #: 1 of 18
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוִ֗ה therefore unto the LORD H3068
יְהוִ֗ה therefore unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וָֽאֹמַר֒ and said H559
וָֽאֹמַר֒ and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 4 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲדֹנָ֣י O Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י O Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 5 of 18
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֗ה therefore unto the LORD H3068
יְהוִ֗ה therefore unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 7 of 18
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת destroy H7843
תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת destroy
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 8 of 18
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
עַמְּךָ֙ not thy people H5971
עַמְּךָ֙ not thy people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 9 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ and thine inheritance H5159
וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ and thine inheritance
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 10 of 18
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּדִ֖יתָ which thou hast redeemed H6299
פָּדִ֖יתָ which thou hast redeemed
Strong's: H6299
Word #: 12 of 18
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ through thy greatness H1433
בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ through thy greatness
Strong's: H1433
Word #: 13 of 18
magnitude (literally or figuratively)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹצֵ֥אתָ which thou hast brought forth H3318
הוֹצֵ֥אתָ which thou hast brought forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 15 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם out of Egypt H4714
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם out of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 16 of 18
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
בְּיָ֥ד hand H3027
בְּיָ֥ד hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 17 of 18
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
חֲזָקָֽה׃ with a mighty H2389
חֲזָקָֽה׃ with a mighty
Strong's: H2389
Word #: 18 of 18
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

Analysis & Commentary

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Moses' prayer appeals to God's character, His past acts, and His covenant promises - employing arguments that demonstrate theological sophistication in intercession.

The address Lord GOD (Adonai Yahweh) combines divine titles emphasizing both sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. Moses grounds his appeal in who God is, not in any merit Israel possesses. This is essential Reformed understanding - prayer appeals to God's character and promises, not human worthiness.

Moses argues that Israel is thy people and thine inheritance - they belong to God by His own choice. This covenantal ownership creates obligation not based on Israel's performance but on God's character. Would God destroy His own possession?

The phrase which thou hast redeemed recalls the exodus deliverance. Moses argues from God's invested interest - having redeemed Israel at great display of power, would God now undo His own work? The appeal is to God's consistency and the purpose behind His mighty acts.

Historical Context

Moses' prayer follows classic covenant lawsuit pattern, appealing to the relationship between parties and the treaty's terms. Ancient Near Eastern prayers similarly appealed to deity's past acts and established relationships.

The exodus redemption was the defining event of Israel's national existence, establishing them as God's treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). Moses leverages this covenant status in his intercession.

Questions for Reflection