Deuteronomy 9:28
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
H3318
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִשָּׁם֒
H8033
מִשָּׁם֒
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
6 of 20
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
מִבְּלִי֙
H1097
מִבְּלִי֙
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
יְכֹ֣לֶת
was not able
H3201
יְכֹ֣לֶת
was not able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
8 of 20
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
יְהוָ֔ה
Because the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Because the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽהֲבִיאָ֕ם
to bring
H935
לַֽהֲבִיאָ֕ם
to bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which he promised
H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which he promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
14 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אוֹתָ֔ם
H853
אוֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
H3318
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
18 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Numbers 14:16Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.Exodus 32:12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern peoples closely identified deities with their nations. A nation's defeat implied its god's weakness. Israel's destruction in the wilderness would appear to Egyptians and Canaanites as Yahweh's failure, not as judgment on Israel's sin.
This concern for God's reputation among nations recurs throughout Scripture (Ezekiel 36:22-23; Psalm 79:10). God acts to vindicate His name before watching world.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is concern for God's glory the highest motivation in prayer?
- How does sin by God's people damage His reputation before watching world?
- What false impressions about God do unbelievers form when observing believers' failures?
- How should desire for God's name to be honored shape our behavior and prayers?
- Why is God's zeal for His own glory not selfish but perfectly right?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness. Moses appeals to God's reputation among the nations - Israel's destruction would cause pagans to blaspheme God's name and question His power and character.
The argument is brilliant - Moses shows that Israel's destruction would create two false impressions among observers:
Both would misrepresent God's true character and power.
This appeal to God's glory demonstrates proper priority in prayer - concern for God's reputation outweighs even concern for human preservation. Moses argues not primarily from Israel's need but from God's honor. The glory of God's name must be upheld among the nations.
Reformed theology emphasizes God's zeal for His own glory as highest good. God acts to magnify His name, and believers rightly appeal to this in prayer. All God's works ultimately serve to display His character and perfections to creation.