Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
זְכֹר֙
Remember
H2142
זְכֹר֙
Remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח
and forget
H7911
תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח
and forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
3 of 25
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֵ֧ת
H853
אֵ֧ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ
to wrath
H7107
הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ
to wrath
Strong's:
H7107
Word #:
6 of 25
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֽה׃
not how thou provokedst the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
not how thou provokedst the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
10 of 25
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
לְמִן
from
H4480
לְמִן
from
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֞וֹם
the day
H3117
הַיּ֞וֹם
the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 25
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָצָ֣אתָ׀
that thou didst depart out
H3318
יָצָ֣אתָ׀
that thou didst depart out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 25
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙
until ye came
H935
בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙
until ye came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
18 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַמָּק֣וֹם
unto this place
H4725
הַמָּק֣וֹם
unto this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
מַמְרִ֥ים
ye have been rebellious
H4784
מַמְרִ֥ים
ye have been rebellious
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
22 of 25
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
H1961
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
23 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Exodus 16:2And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:Exodus 14:11And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?Numbers 21:5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.Numbers 25:2And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.Numbers 11:4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Historical Context
Israel's wilderness history included golden calf idolatry (Exodus 32), refusing to enter Canaan (Numbers 14), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), complaining about food/water repeatedly, and sexual immorality with Moabite women (Numbers 25). Moses catalogs this rebellion in Deuteronomy 9:7-24 as evidence of Israel's 'stiff neck.' This wasn't occasional failure but persistent pattern. The generation entering Canaan needed to learn from their parents' failures. The same principle applies to church history and personal testimony—remembering past rebellion prevents present pride.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of your pre-conversion life or ongoing sin do you need to 'remember and forget not' to maintain humility?
- How does honestly acknowledging your rebellion against God deepen appreciation for His grace?
- What tendency to 'forget' your sinfulness and need for grace do you need to combat?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The double command 'Remember, and forget not' uses emphatic repetition. What must be remembered? 'How thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness.' This is painful memory—recalling sin and rebellion. Why remember it? To prevent pride (v. 4-6) and maintain humility. The phrase 'from the day that thou didst depart out of Egypt' until present shows persistent rebellion throughout the wilderness period. This isn't selective memory emphasizing victories while forgetting failures, but honest history acknowledging chronic unfaithfulness. Such remembrance keeps grace central—if Israel enters Canaan, it's despite their rebellion, not because of their merit. Christians must likewise remember their pre-conversion rebellion and ongoing sin to maintain humble gratitude for grace.