Deuteronomy 11:2

2 And know ye this day ...; for [I speak] not with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of Jehovah your God, his greatness, his powerful hand, and his stretched-out arm,

Deuteronomy 11:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:2

And know you this day
Take notice of, and diligently attend unto, what is now about to be delivered:

for I speak not unto your children which have not known, and which have
not seen, the chastisement of the Lord your God;
who have no knowledge and experience of the chastisement of the Lord on themselves, or on their foes or friends; and with whom the argument drawn from it could not come with that force, and make that impression, as it might be thought it would, being used with them who had perfect knowledge of it. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it doctrine, which, being children, they were not instructed so perfectly in as they were who were adult persons, to whom Moses directs his discourse:

his greatness, his mighty hand, and stretched out arm:
the exceeding greatness of his power, displayed in the following instances.

Deuteronomy 11:2 In-Context

1 Thou shalt love then Jehovah thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments continually.

2 And know ye this day ...; for [I speak] not with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of Jehovah your God, his greatness, his powerful hand, and his stretched-out arm,

3 and his signs and his acts which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land;

4 and what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and unto their chariots, over which he made the water of the Red sea flow as they pursued after you, and Jehovah destroyed them unto this day;

5 -- and what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came to this place;

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'know ye this day (for [I speak] not with ... your God) his greatness,' &c.