King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 10:22 Mean?

Deuteronomy 10:22 in the King James Version says “Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars o...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.”

Deuteronomy 10:22 · KJV

Context

20

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

21

He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons—the exact number recorded in Genesis 46:27 and Exodus 1:5. The Hebrew shiv'im nefesh (שִׁבְעִים נֶפֶשׁ) literally means 'seventy souls,' emphasizing the smallness of Jacob's household. Now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude—fulfilling God's covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:5). The census in Numbers 1:46 recorded 603,550 fighting men, suggesting a total population over two million.

This verse climaxes Moses's rehearsal of God's faithfulness (10:12-22). From seventy to millions in four centuries demonstrates God's power to multiply what He blesses. The astronomical metaphor recalls both Abraham's promise and the impossibility of the fulfillment apart from divine intervention. Israel's existence itself was proof of covenant fidelity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses delivered this sermon circa 1406 BC on the plains of Moab, forty years after the Exodus. The original seventy who went to Egypt (circa 1876 BC) included Jacob's sons and their families during the severe famine. The multiplication occurred during 430 years in Egypt (Exodus 12:40), initially prosperous under Joseph's influence, then oppressive under pharaohs who 'knew not Joseph.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's multiplication of Israel from 70 to millions encourage you to trust Him with small beginnings?
  2. What 'impossible' promises has God made that require His power, not human effort, to fulfill?
  3. How should remembering God's past faithfulness shape your response to current challenges?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בְּשִׁבְעִ֣ים1 of 12

“with threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

נֶ֔פֶשׁ2 of 12

“persons”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יָֽרְד֥וּ3 of 12

“went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ4 of 12

“Thy fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מִצְרָ֑יְמָה5 of 12

“into Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְעַתָּ֗ה6 of 12
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

שָֽׂמְךָ֙7 of 12

“hath made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

יְהוָ֣ה8 of 12

“and now the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ9 of 12

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֥י10 of 12

“thee as the stars”

H3556

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם11 of 12

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

לָרֹֽב׃12 of 12

“for multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

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 10:22 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 10:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:27Exodus 1:5Genesis 15:5Deuteronomy 1:10Nehemiah 9:23Deuteronomy 28:62

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 10 →

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