Deuteronomy 29:1-8

1 These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab: beside that covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

2 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: You have seen all the things that the Lord did before you in the land of Egypt to Pharao, and to all his servants, and to his whole land.

3 The great temptations, which thy eyes have seen, those mighty signs and wonders,

4 And the Lord hath not given you a heart to understand, and eyes to see, and ears that may hear, unto this present day.

5 He hath brought you forty years through the desert: your garments are not worn out, neither are the shoes of your feet consumed with age.

6 You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or strong drink: that you might know that I am the Lord your God.

7 And you came to this place: and Sehon king of Hesebon, and Og king of Basan, came out against us to fight. And we slew them.

8 And took their land, and delivered it for a possession to Ruben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasses.

Deuteronomy 29:1-8 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.