King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:28 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:28 in the King James Version says “Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he prom...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 9:28 · KJV

Context

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.

29

Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Moses appeals to God's reputation among the nations - Israel's destruction would cause pagans to blaspheme God's name and question His power and character.

The argument is brilliant - Moses shows that Israel's destruction would create two false impressions among observers: 1) God was not able to fulfill His promises, suggesting weakness; 2) God hated them, suggesting malicious intent. Both would misrepresent God's true character and power.

This appeal to God's glory demonstrates proper priority in prayer - concern for God's reputation outweighs even concern for human preservation. Moses argues not primarily from Israel's need but from God's honor. The glory of God's name must be upheld among the nations.

Reformed theology emphasizes God's zeal for His own glory as highest good. God acts to magnify His name, and believers rightly appeal to this in prayer. All God's works ultimately serve to display His character and perfections to creation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern peoples closely identified deities with their nations. A nation's defeat implied its god's weakness. Israel's destruction in the wilderness would appear to Egyptians and Canaanites as Yahweh's failure, not as judgment on Israel's sin.

This concern for God's reputation among nations recurs throughout Scripture (Ezekiel 36:22-23; Psalm 79:10). God acts to vindicate His name before watching world.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is concern for God's glory the highest motivation in prayer?
  2. How does sin by God's people damage His reputation before watching world?
  3. What false impressions about God do unbelievers form when observing believers' failures?
  4. How should desire for God's name to be honored shape our behavior and prayers?
  5. Why is God's zeal for His own glory not selfish but perfectly right?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
פֶּן1 of 20
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יֹֽאמְר֗וּ2 of 20

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאָ֖רֶץ3 of 20

“Lest the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 20
H834

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

הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם5 of 20

“them he hath brought them out”

H3318

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

מִשָּׁם֒6 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִבְּלִי֙7 of 20
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

יְכֹ֣לֶת8 of 20

“was not able”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 20

“Because the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽהֲבִיאָ֕ם10 of 20

“to bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל11 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ12 of 20

“Lest the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 20
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֣ר14 of 20

“which he promised”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לָהֶ֑ם15 of 20
H0
וּמִשִּׂנְאָת֣וֹ16 of 20

“them and because he hated”

H8135

hate

אוֹתָ֔ם17 of 20
H853

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

הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם18 of 20

“them he hath brought them out”

H3318

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

לַֽהֲמִתָ֥ם19 of 20

“to slay”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃20 of 20

“them in the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

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 9:28 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 9:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 14:16Exodus 32:12

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