King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:8 in the King James Version says “And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:”

Deuteronomy 26:8 · KJV

Context

6

And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

7

And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

8

And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

9

And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

10

And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders—the liturgy climaxes with God's powerful deliverance. The fourfold description emphasizes comprehensive divine intervention: beyad chazaqah (mighty/strong hand), bizroa netuyah (outstretched arm), uvemora gadol (great fear/terror), uve'otot uvemoftim (signs and wonders).

The mighty hand and outstretched arm imagery appears over 15 times in Deuteronomy, depicting God as divine warrior fighting for Israel. The "hand" suggests power and control; the "outstretched arm" implies reaching down from heaven to intervene in history. This anthropomorphic language makes transcendent reality tangible—God acts in space and time, not merely as abstract force.

The phrase great terribleness (mora gadol) refers to the terror God inflicted on Egypt through the plagues—terror that produced reverence in Israel but judgment on their oppressors. The signs and wonders (otot umoftim) are the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing, supernatural acts validating YHWH's supremacy over Egyptian gods. This confession declares that Israel's existence depends entirely on God's miraculous intervention, not natural evolution or human effort.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exodus (circa 1446 BCE traditional dating, 1260 BCE alternative) was Israel's formative event, referenced throughout Scripture more than any other historical occurrence. The ten plagues demonstrated YHWH's sovereignty over Egyptian deities: the Nile (Hapi), sun (Ra), fertility (Hathor), etc. Pharaoh's magicians could replicate early signs but ultimately failed (Exodus 8:18-19), proving YHWH's superior power. The Red Sea crossing completed Israel's deliverance while destroying Pharaoh's army—military victory without Israelite weapons, accomplished entirely by divine power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt encourage you when facing impossible circumstances?
  2. In what ways have you witnessed God's 'signs and wonders' in your life, and do you regularly rehearse them as Israel did?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיּֽוֹצִאֵ֤נוּ1 of 11

“brought us forth”

H3318

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

יְהוָה֙2 of 11

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם3 of 11

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּיָ֤ד4 of 11

“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

חֲזָקָה֙5 of 11

“with a mighty”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ6 of 11

“arm”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

נְטוּיָ֔ה7 of 11

“and with an outstretched”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

וּבְמֹרָ֖א8 of 11

“terribleness”

H4172

fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed

גָּדֹ֑ל9 of 11

“and with great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּבְאֹת֖וֹת10 of 11

“and with signs”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּבְמֹֽפְתִֽים׃11 of 11

“and with wonders”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

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 26:8 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 26:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:34Exodus 12:51Deuteronomy 5:15Exodus 12:41Psalms 106:7-10Psalms 78:12-13

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 26 →

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