King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:2 in the King James Version says “And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;”

Deuteronomy 29:2 · KJV

Context

1

These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

2

And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;

3

The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:

4

Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land. Moses appeals to eyewitness testimony - ye have seen - reminding Israel of God's mighty acts in Egypt. This generation personally witnessed the plagues, the passover, and the exodus, making them direct witnesses to God's power and faithfulness.

The emphasis before your eyes stresses personal observation. These are not distant legends or second-hand reports but events they personally experienced. This creates accountability - they cannot claim ignorance or doubt about God's reality and power.

The comprehensive scope unto Pharaoh...his servants...his land indicates the totality of God's judgment on Egypt. All levels of Egyptian society from pharaoh to peasants experienced God's power, demonstrating His sovereignty over the nations.

This pattern of remembering God's past acts grounds faith - what God has done demonstrates what He can do. Historical memory of divine faithfulness strengthens present trust and future hope.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The ten plagues, exodus, and Red Sea crossing were the defining events of Israel's national existence. This generation was young during the exodus but old enough to remember Egypt's devastation and Israel's deliverance.

Moses regularly appeals to this shared memory throughout Deuteronomy, using past acts as foundation for present obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. What role does eyewitness testimony play in establishing faith?
  2. How does personal experience of God's acts create accountability?
  3. Why does Moses emphasize the comprehensive scope of God's judgments?
  4. How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen present trust?
  5. What role should rehearsing God's mighty acts have in Christian teaching?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥א1 of 22

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֛ה2 of 22

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל4 of 22
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל5 of 22

“unto all Israel”

H3478

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר6 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֑ם7 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַתֶּ֣ם8 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

רְאִיתֶ֗ם9 of 22

“unto them Ye have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵ֣ת10 of 22
H853

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

כָּל11 of 22
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 22
H834

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

עָשָׂ֨ה13 of 22

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֤ה14 of 22

“all that the LORD”

H3068

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

לְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙15 of 22

“before your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אַרְצֽוֹ׃16 of 22

“and unto all his land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם17 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְפַרְעֹ֥ה18 of 22

“unto Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וּלְכָל19 of 22
H3605

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

עֲבָדָ֖יו20 of 22

“and unto all his servants”

H5650

a servant

וּלְכָל21 of 22
H3605

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

אַרְצֽוֹ׃22 of 22

“and unto all his land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 29:2 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 29:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 19:4Psalms 78:43-51Joshua 24:5-6Exodus 8:12Psalms 105:27-36

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 29 →

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