King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:19 in the King James Version says “For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.”

Deuteronomy 9:19 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

17

And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.

18

And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

19

For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

20

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also. Moses' fear was not cowardice but proper recognition of God's holy wrath against sin. The Hebrew words for anger (aph) and hot displeasure (chemah) emphasize the intensity of divine judgment Israel deserved.

Moses' successful intercession demonstrates the power of faithful mediation. Though God's wrath was justly kindled, He hearkened to Moses' plea, showing that the covenant relationship included provisions for advocacy and restoration. This previews the greater intercession of Christ, whose mediation is always effective because He pleads His own perfect righteousness on our behalf.

The phrase at that time also indicates this was one of multiple intercessions. Moses repeatedly stood between God's wrath and Israel's sin throughout the wilderness journey, foreshadowing Christ's continuous intercession for believers (Hebrews 7:25).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This intercession occurred immediately after the golden calf incident. Moses' successful advocacy prevented Israel's complete destruction and secured covenant renewal with new tablets of the law.

The parallel between Moses' intercession and Christ's advocacy demonstrates progressive revelation - the old covenant mediator was faithful servant in God's house, while Christ is Son over God's house (Hebrews 3:5-6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's holy wrath against sin deepen appreciation for Christ's intercession?
  2. What made Moses' intercession effective before God?
  3. How does Moses' repeated intercession prefigure Christ's continuous advocacy for believers?
  4. Why should proper fear of God's wrath drive us to the mediator rather than to despair?
  5. What does it mean that God 'hearkened' to Moses' plea?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּ֣י1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָגֹ֗רְתִּי2 of 17

“For I was afraid”

H3025

to fear

מִפְּנֵ֤י3 of 17

“of”

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

הָאַף֙4 of 17

“the anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ה5 of 17

“and hot displeasure”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 17
H834

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

קָצַ֧ף7 of 17

“was wroth”

H7107

to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage

יְהוָה֙8 of 17

“wherewith the LORD”

H3068

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם9 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְהַשְׁמִ֣יד10 of 17

“against you to destroy”

H8045

to desolate

אֶתְכֶ֑ם11 of 17
H853

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

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע12 of 17

“hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָה֙13 of 17

“wherewith the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֔י14 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גַּ֖ם15 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בַּפַּ֥עַם16 of 17

“unto me at that time”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

הַהִֽוא׃17 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 9:19 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 9:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 5:16-17Deuteronomy 10:10Exodus 32:14Exodus 32:10-11Exodus 33:17Psalms 99:6

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