Deuteronomy 29:1-5

Renewal of the Covenant

1 These are the terms of the covenant the LORD commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Horeb.
2 Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them: Your eyes have seen all that the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land.
3 With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders.
4 But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.
5 Yet the LORD says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.

Deuteronomy 29:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 29

This chapter begins with an intimation of another covenant the Lord was about to make with the people of Israel, De 29:1; and, to prepare their minds to an attention to it, various things which the Lord had done for them are recited, De 29:2-9; the persons are particularly mentioned with whom the covenant would now be made, the substance of which is, that they should be his people, and he their God, De 29:10-15; and since they had seen the idols in Egypt and other countries, with which they might have been ensnared, they are cautioned against idolatry and idolaters, as being most provoking to the Lord, De 29:16-21; which would bring destruction not only on particular persons, but upon their whole land, to the amazement of posterity; who, inquiring the reason of it, will be told, it was because they forsook the covenant of God, and particularly were guilty of idolatry, which, whether privately or openly committed, would be always punished, De 29:22-29.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S Leviticus 7:38
  • 2. S Exodus 3:1; Deuteronomy 5:2-3
  • 3. Exodus 19:4
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 7:19
  • 5. Isaiah 6:10; Isaiah 32:3; Isaiah 48:8; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; S Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:26-27; Romans 11:8*; Ephesians 4:18
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 8:2
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 8:4
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