Deuteronomy 29:16

16 "You know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed;

Deuteronomy 29:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:16

For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt
How long they and their fathers had dwelt there, the number of years they had been in the land, as the Targum of Jonathan, which was upwards of two hundred years; and being a country the inhabitants of which were much given to idolatry, they had seen many of their idols, and much of their idolatrous worship; and their hearts had been apt to be ensnared by it, and the minds of some tinctured with it, and the remembrance thereof might make ill impressions on them; to remove or prevent which this covenant was made:

and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
as the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Midianites, as Aben Ezra observes, through whose borders they came, as they passed by their countries in their journeys in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 29:16 In-Context

14 Nor is it with you only that I make this sworn covenant,

15 but with him who is not here with us this day as well as with him who stands here with us this day before the LORD our God.

16 "You know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed;

17 and you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them.

18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations; lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit,