King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:3 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto th... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;

Deuteronomy 1:3 · KJV


Context

1

These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. the Red: or, Zuph

2

( There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)

3

And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;

4

After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:

5

On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fortieth year marks the completion of judgment on the exodus generation who refused to trust God at Kadesh-barnea. The eleventh month (Shebat, January-February) sets the time just weeks before Israel would cross the Jordan into Canaan. Moses speaks 'according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment'—he is not innovating but faithfully transmitting divine revelation. This establishes the authoritative nature of Deuteronomy as God's word through Moses, not merely Moses' reflections.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Forty years of wilderness wandering fulfilled God's judgment that the rebellious generation would die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:26-35). Moses himself would also die before entering Canaan due to his sin at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). The eleventh month timing suggests this address occurred shortly before Moses' death and Israel's Jordan crossing in the first month of the following year (Joshua 4:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness to fulfill both His promises and His warnings demonstrate His character?
  2. What does Moses' faithful transmission of God's commands teach about the responsibility of spiritual leaders?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאַרְבָּעִ֣ים2 of 19

And it came to pass in the fortieth

H705

forty

שָׁנָ֔ה3 of 19

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּעַשְׁתֵּֽי4 of 19

in the eleventh

H6249

eleven or (ordinal) eleventh

עָשָׂ֥ר5 of 19
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ6 of 19

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בְּאֶחָ֣ד7 of 19

on the first

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ8 of 19

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

דִּבֶּ֤ר9 of 19

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

מֹשֶׁה֙10 of 19

that Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל11 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י12 of 19

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כְּ֠כֹל14 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר15 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֧ה16 of 19

had given him in commandment

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֛ה17 of 19

according unto all that the LORD

H3068

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

אֹת֖וֹ18 of 19
H853

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

אֲלֵהֶֽם׃19 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 1:3 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 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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