King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"At that time I told you, 'You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone.
Berean Standard Bible:
At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone.
American Standard Version:
And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And I spake{H559} unto you at that time{H6256}, saying{H559}, I am not able{H3201} to bear{H5375} you myself alone{H905}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 18:18
- Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that [is] with thee: for this thing [is] too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
Numbers 11:17
- And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.
Numbers 11:11
- And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
Numbers 11:14
- I am not able to bear all this people alone, because [it is] too heavy for me.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 1:9
Deuteronomy 1:9 is part of the opening chapter of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses. This verse is set within the context of Moses addressing the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
**Themes:**
1. **Leadership and Burden:** Moses acknowledges his human limitations and the overwhelming responsibility of leading the Israelite community alone. This theme underscores the need for shared leadership and the importance of community support.
2. **Divine Appointment of Leaders:** Moses' inability to bear the burden alone leads to the divine appointment of leaders to assist him, which is a theme that continues in the subsequent verses. This illustrates the concept of delegation and the idea that God provides for the needs of His people, including capable leadership.
3. **Preparation for Conquest:** The speech of Moses is a preparation for the conquest of Canaan. It serves to remind the people of their history, God's laws, and the importance of obedience as they prepare to enter and possess the land promised to their ancestors.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the new generation of Israelites who are about to enter Canaan. This generation was born in the wilderness and did not experience the Exodus from Egypt or the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.
The historical context of Deuteronomy 1:9 is the period just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. The previous generation had refused to enter the land due to fear, resulting in God's decree that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation had passed away. Now, as the new generation prepares to enter the land, Moses recounts their history, reiterates the law, and emphasizes the importance of following God's commandments.
Moses' statement in Deuteronomy 1:9 sets the stage for the establishment of a judicial system to help govern the people, which is detailed in the following verses. This system was meant to alleviate the burden on Moses and ensure justice and order among the Israelites as they moved forward into a new era of settlement and nationhood.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H6256
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵת
Transliteration: ʻêth
Pronunciation: ayth
Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. - Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. - Strong's Number: H905
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּד
Transliteration: bad
Pronunciation: bad
Description: from בָּדַד; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar forcarrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides; alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.