King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:7 in the King James Version says “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.”

Deuteronomy 9:7 · KJV

Context

5

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

6

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

7

Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

8

Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

9

When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The double command 'Remember, and forget not' uses emphatic repetition. What must be remembered? 'How thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness.' This is painful memory—recalling sin and rebellion. Why remember it? To prevent pride (v. 4-6) and maintain humility. The phrase 'from the day that thou didst depart out of Egypt' until present shows persistent rebellion throughout the wilderness period. This isn't selective memory emphasizing victories while forgetting failures, but honest history acknowledging chronic unfaithfulness. Such remembrance keeps grace central—if Israel enters Canaan, it's despite their rebellion, not because of their merit. Christians must likewise remember their pre-conversion rebellion and ongoing sin to maintain humble gratitude for grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's wilderness history included golden calf idolatry (Exodus 32), refusing to enter Canaan (Numbers 14), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), complaining about food/water repeatedly, and sexual immorality with Moabite women (Numbers 25). Moses catalogs this rebellion in Deuteronomy 9:7-24 as evidence of Israel's 'stiff neck.' This wasn't occasional failure but persistent pattern. The generation entering Canaan needed to learn from their parents' failures. The same principle applies to church history and personal testimony—remembering past rebellion prevents present pride.

Reflection Questions

  1. What aspects of your pre-conversion life or ongoing sin do you need to 'remember and forget not' to maintain humility?
  2. How does honestly acknowledging your rebellion against God deepen appreciation for His grace?
  3. What tendency to 'forget' your sinfulness and need for grace do you need to combat?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
זְכֹר֙1 of 25

“Remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אַל2 of 25
H408

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

תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח3 of 25

“and forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אֵ֧ת4 of 25
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר5 of 25
H834

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

הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ6 of 25

“to wrath”

H7107

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

אֶת7 of 25
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 25

“not how thou provokedst the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ9 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

בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר10 of 25

“in the wilderness”

H4057

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

לְמִן11 of 25

“from”

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיּ֞וֹם12 of 25

“the 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

אֲשֶׁר13 of 25
H834

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

יָצָ֣אתָ׀14 of 25

“that thou didst depart out”

H3318

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

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ15 of 25

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֗יִם16 of 25

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַד17 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙18 of 25

“until ye came”

H935

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

עַד19 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַמָּק֣וֹם20 of 25

“unto this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֔ה21 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מַמְרִ֥ים22 of 25

“ye have been rebellious”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

הֱיִיתֶ֖ם23 of 25
H1961

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

עִם24 of 25

“against”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

“not how thou provokedst the LORD”

H3068

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

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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 16:2Exodus 14:11Numbers 21:5Numbers 11:4Numbers 25:2Psalms 95:8-11

Places in This Verse

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

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