Joshua 24:17
For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 30
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
הוּא֩
H1931
הוּא֩
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 30
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֨ה
he it is that brought us up
H5927
הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֨ה
he it is that brought us up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 30
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֹתָ֧נוּ
H853
אֹתָ֧נוּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲבוֹתֵ֛ינוּ
and our fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתֵ֛ינוּ
and our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
8 of 30
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
H1004
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 30
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֣ה
and which did
H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה
and which did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 30
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְעֵינֵ֗ינוּ
in our sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֗ינוּ
in our sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 30
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֹת֤וֹת
signs
H226
הָֽאֹת֤וֹת
signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
17 of 30
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
הַגְּדֹלוֹת֙
those great
H1419
הַגְּדֹלוֹת֙
those great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
18 of 30
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַֽיִּשְׁמְרֵ֗נוּ
and preserved
H8104
וַֽיִּשְׁמְרֵ֗נוּ
and preserved
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
20 of 30
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
us in all the way
H1870
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
us in all the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
22 of 30
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֣כְנוּ
wherein we went
H1980
הָלַ֣כְנוּ
wherein we went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
24 of 30
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּבְכֹל֙
H3605
וּבְכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
26 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
and among all the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
and among all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
27 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
28 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The Exodus (circa 1446 BC) occurred approximately 40 years before this covenant renewal. The generation making this confession were children or unborn during Egypt's bondage—their testimony depends on transmitted memory and Passover rehearsal, not personal experience. This demonstrates covenant faith's intergenerational nature.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you 'remember' redemptive acts of God you didn't personally witness—through Scripture, testimony, sacraments—and how does this remembered grace shape present obedience?
- What role does regular rehearsal of God's past faithfulness (in corporate worship, family devotions, personal reflection) play in sustaining covenant commitment during present trials?
- Why did visible demonstration of God's power ('great signs') fail to produce lasting faithfulness in Israel, and what does this teach about the relationship between evidence and genuine faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD our God, he it is that brought us up...out of the land of Egypt—Israel grounds their covenant loyalty in remembered redemption, reciting the Exodus (yetsi'at Mitzrayim) as their foundational identity. The phrase from the house of bondage (מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, mibbeit avadim) is covenant formula language (Exodus 20:2, Deuteronomy 5:6), literally 'house of slaves,' defining Israel's past and obligating grateful service.
Those great signs (הָאֹתוֹת הַגְּדֹלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, ha'otot haggedolot ha'eleh) refers to the ten plagues—God's visible demonstration of power over Egyptian gods. The people's recitation follows Deuteronomy's pattern of teaching children redemptive history (6:20-25). Yet memory alone doesn't guarantee faithfulness—these same people who 'saw' God's works rebelled repeatedly (Psalm 78:32-37).