King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:19 in the King James Version says “The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out a... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid .

Deuteronomy 7:19 · KJV


Context

17

If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?

18

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

19

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid .

20

Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

21

Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse expands on 'remembering' by listing specific evidences of God's power: 'temptations' (tests/trials), 'signs' (otot, miraculous signs), 'wonders' (mophetim, extraordinary displays), 'mighty hand,' and 'stretched out arm.' The cumulative effect is overwhelming proof of God's power. The phrase 'which thine eyes saw' emphasizes eyewitness testimony—this isn't hearsay but personal experience. The conclusion 'so shall the LORD thy God do' applies past deliverance to future conquest. God's character and power are unchanging—what He did in Egypt, He will do in Canaan. This is the logic of faith: if God has demonstrated His power in the past, He will demonstrate it in the future. Christ's resurrection is the supreme 'sign and wonder' proving God's power and guaranteeing believers' future victory (Romans 8:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ten plagues, Red Sea crossing, pillar of cloud/fire, manna, water from rock, and victory over Amalek constituted irrefutable evidence of God's power. These weren't ambiguous events but public, undeniable displays witnessed by the entire nation. The Exodus became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, referenced throughout Scripture as paradigmatic proof of God's saving power. The prophets invoke Exodus imagery when promising future deliverance (Isaiah 11:15-16; 43:16-19; Jeremiah 23:7-8). God's mighty acts in history provide the evidentiary basis for faith in His future promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'signs and wonders' has God performed in your life or Christian history that strengthen your faith?
  2. How can you cultivate awareness of God's ongoing powerful work in ordinary and extraordinary ways?
  3. What future challenges require you to apply past evidence of God's power to present faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
הַמַּסֹּ֨ת1 of 25

temptations

H4531

a testing, of men (judicial) or of god (querulous)

הַגְּדֹלֹ֜ת2 of 25

The great

H1419

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

אֲשֶׁר3 of 25
H834

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

רָא֣וּ4 of 25

saw

H7200

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

עֵינֶ֗יךָ5 of 25

which thine eyes

H5869

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

וְהָֽאֹתֹ֤ת6 of 25

and the signs

H226

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

וְהַמֹּֽפְתִים֙7 of 25

and the wonders

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

וְהַיָּ֤ד8 of 25

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

הַֽחֲזָקָה֙9 of 25

and the mighty

H2389

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

וְהַזְּרֹ֣עַ10 of 25

arm

H2220

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

הַנְּטוּיָ֔ה11 of 25

and the stretched out

H5186

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 25
H834

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

הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֖13 of 25

brought thee out

H3318

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

יְהוָ֤ה14 of 25

so shall the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙15 of 25

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

כֵּֽן16 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יַעֲשֶׂ֞ה17 of 25

do

H6213

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

יְהוָ֤ה18 of 25

so shall the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙19 of 25

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

לְכָל20 of 25
H3605

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

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים21 of 25

unto all the people

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁר22 of 25
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה23 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָרֵ֖א24 of 25

of whom thou art afraid

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם׃25 of 25
H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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