King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:20 in the King James Version says “But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people o...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.”

Deuteronomy 4:20 · KJV

Context

18

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. divided: or, imparted

20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

21

Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

22

But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel's election is grounded in God's redemptive act—'brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt.' The 'iron furnace' metaphor depicts Egypt's cruel bondage and suffering, yet also God's refining purpose (cf. 1 Peter 1:6-7). The purpose clause 'to be unto him a people of inheritance' reveals divine election: God chose Israel not for inherent merit but to be His treasured possession. The Hebrew 'nachalah' (inheritance) indicates permanent, covenantal relationship. This prefigures New Covenant election where God redeems His people from sin's bondage to be His prized possession (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's oppression of Israel (Exodus 1-12) included forced labor making bricks, infanticide, and systematic brutality—the 'iron furnace' of affliction. God's deliverance through ten plagues, Passover, and Red Sea crossing demonstrated His sovereign power and covenant faithfulness. This exodus became Israel's defining redemptive event, constantly rehearsed in worship and teaching (Psalms 78, 105, 106). The exodus typifies Christian redemption from sin's bondage through Christ, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'iron furnace' of Egypt demonstrate that God often uses affliction to prepare His people for redemption and inheritance?
  2. In what ways does Israel's election as God's 'people of inheritance' prefigure the church's position as God's treasured possession in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְאֶתְכֶם֙1 of 14
H853

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

לָקַ֣ח2 of 14

“hath taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 14

“But the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיּוֹצִ֥א4 of 14

“you and brought you forth”

H3318

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

אֶתְכֶ֛ם5 of 14
H853

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

מִכּ֥וּר6 of 14

“furnace”

H3564

a pot or furnace (as if excavated)

הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל7 of 14

“out of the iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם8 of 14

“even out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לִֽהְי֥וֹת9 of 14
H1961

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

ל֛וֹ10 of 14
H0
לְעַ֥ם11 of 14

“to be unto him a people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

נַֽחֲלָ֖ה12 of 14

“of inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

כַּיּ֥וֹם13 of 14

“as ye are this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃14 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 4:20 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 4:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 8:51Jeremiah 11:4Exodus 19:5-6Deuteronomy 9:29Deuteronomy 32:9Psalms 135:4

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 4 →

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 4 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes