King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:26 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:26 in the King James Version says “I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast re...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”

Deuteronomy 9:26 · KJV

PrayerSalvation

Context

24

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.

25

Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

26

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

27

Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:

28

Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Moses' prayer appeals to God's character, His past acts, and His covenant promises - employing arguments that demonstrate theological sophistication in intercession.

The address Lord GOD (Adonai Yahweh) combines divine titles emphasizing both sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. Moses grounds his appeal in who God is, not in any merit Israel possesses. This is essential Reformed understanding - prayer appeals to God's character and promises, not human worthiness.

Moses argues that Israel is thy people and thine inheritance - they belong to God by His own choice. This covenantal ownership creates obligation not based on Israel's performance but on God's character. Would God destroy His own possession?

The phrase which thou hast redeemed recalls the exodus deliverance. Moses argues from God's invested interest - having redeemed Israel at great display of power, would God now undo His own work? The appeal is to God's consistency and the purpose behind His mighty acts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' prayer follows classic covenant lawsuit pattern, appealing to the relationship between parties and the treaty's terms. Ancient Near Eastern prayers similarly appealed to deity's past acts and established relationships.

The exodus redemption was the defining event of Israel's national existence, establishing them as God's treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). Moses leverages this covenant status in his intercession.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' prayer demonstrate proper theological foundation for intercession?
  2. Why does effective prayer appeal to God's character and promises rather than human merit?
  3. What does it mean that believers are God's 'inheritance' and possession?
  4. How should God's past acts of redemption shape our confidence in prayer?
  5. What can we learn from Moses' argumentation about how to pray for others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל1 of 18

“I prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אֶל2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוִ֗ה3 of 18

“therefore unto the LORD”

H3068

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

וָֽאֹמַר֒4 of 18

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י5 of 18

“O Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה6 of 18

“therefore unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אַל7 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת8 of 18

“destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

עַמְּךָ֙9 of 18

“not thy people”

H5971

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

וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔10 of 18

“and thine inheritance”

H5159

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 18
H834

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

פָּדִ֖יתָ12 of 18

“which thou hast redeemed”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ13 of 18

“through thy greatness”

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁר14 of 18
H834

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

הוֹצֵ֥אתָ15 of 18

“which thou hast brought forth”

H3318

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

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם16 of 18

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּיָ֥ד17 of 18

“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

חֲזָקָֽה׃18 of 18

“with a mighty”

H2389

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

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 9:26 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 9:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Titus 2:14Exodus 32:11-13Jeremiah 14:21Psalms 107:2Revelation 5:9Exodus 15:13

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 9 →

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 9 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes