King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:27 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:27 in the King James Version says “And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.”

Deuteronomy 1:27 · King James Version

Context

25

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

26

Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:

27

And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

28

Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. discouraged: Heb. melted

29

Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

Read Deuteronomy 1 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Israel's murmuring 'in their tents' reveals private complaint that fostered public rebellion. Their accusation—'because the LORD hated us'—completely misread God's character and intent, interpreting discipline as hatred and promise as punishment. This twisted theology projected their own fears onto God, imagining malicious intent rather than loving purpose. Unbelief doesn't just doubt God's power but distorts His character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This false accusation came despite God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, and covenant promises. Their reasoning—that God brought them out to destroy them—reversed reality and revealed how fear corrupts theological understanding.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your fears distort your perception of God's character and intentions?
  2. What evidence of God's love are you dismissing due to present difficulties?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתֵּֽרָגְנ֤וּ1 of 14

“And ye murmured”

H7279

to grumble, i.e., rebel

בְאָֽהֳלֵיכֶם֙2 of 14

“in your tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ3 of 14

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּשִׂנְאַ֤ת4 of 14
H8130

to hate (personally)

יְהוָה֙5 of 14

“Because the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֹתָ֔נוּ6 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הֽוֹצִיאָ֖נוּ7 of 14

“us he hath brought us forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ8 of 14

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם9 of 14

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לָתֵ֥ת10 of 14

“to deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָ֛נוּ11 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּיַ֥ד12 of 14

“us into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י13 of 14

“of the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

לְהַשְׁמִידֵֽנוּ׃14 of 14

“to destroy”

H8045

to desolate

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 1:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:28Numbers 14:3Psalms 106:25Numbers 21:5Exodus 16:8Exodus 16:3

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 1 →

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