Deuteronomy 3:24

24 'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant 1Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what 2god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?

Deuteronomy 3:24 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:24

O Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness
and thy mighty hand
To give a specimen of the greatness of his power in subduing the two kings and their kingdoms, and delivering them up into the hands of the Israelites. Moses had seen instances of the mighty power of God in Egypt, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness; but this was the beginning of his power, in vanquishing the Canaanites, and putting their land into the possession of the Israelites, as he had promised; of which the Amorites were a part, and a principal nation of them: and thus God, when he begins a work of grace upon the soul of man, begins to show the exceeding greatness of his power, and which is further exerted in carrying it on, and bringing it to perfection:

for what God is there in heaven or in earth that can do according to
thy works, and according to thy might?
here Moses speaks according to the notion of Heathens, who supposed there were other gods in heaven and in earth besides the true God; and upon this supposition observes, let there be as many as they will, or can be imagined, there is none of them like the Lord God of Israel for power and might; or are able to do such works as he has done, in nature, in the creation of all things out of nothing, in providence, in supporting what he has made, and in governing the world; and in those amazing instances of his power, in bringing down judgments upon wicked men, kings, and kingdoms; and in the deliverance of his own people from them, and putting them and their kingdoms into the possession of them; which were the wondrous works of might Moses had in view, and a sense of which was impressed on his mind at this time.

Deuteronomy 3:24 In-Context

22 'Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.'
23 "I also pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying,
24 'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?
25 'Let me, I pray, cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.'
26 "But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, 'Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 11:2
  • 2. Exodus 8:10; Exodus 15:11; 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalms 71:19; Psalms 86:8

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
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