Deuteronomy 1:9

9 "And I spoke to you at that time, saying: 'I alone am not able to bear you.

Deuteronomy 1:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:9

And I spake unto you at that time
About that time; for it was after the rock in Horeb was smitten, and before they encamped at Mount Sinai, that Jethro gave the advice which Moses took, and proceeded on it, as here related; see ( Exodus 18:1-27 )

saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone;
to rule and govern them, judge and determine matters between them. Jethro suggested this to Moses, and he took the hint, and was conscious to himself that it was too much for him, and so declared it to the people, though it is not before recorded; see ( Exodus 18:18 ) .

Deuteronomy 1:9 In-Context

7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates.

8 See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--to give to them and their descendants after them.'

9 "And I spoke to you at that time, saying: 'I alone am not able to bear you.

10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude.

11 May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!