Deuteronomy 1:10

KJV

The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye [are] this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} your God {H430} hath multiplied {H7235} you, and, behold, ye are this day {H3117} as the stars {H3556} of heaven {H8064} for multitude {H7230}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI your God has multiplied your numbers, so that there are as many of you today as there are stars in the sky.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

American Standard Version

Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:10 stands as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, specifically the Abrahamic promise of innumerable descendants. Spoken by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, this verse serves as a profound historical affirmation that the once small family of Jacob had indeed multiplied into a vast nation, a multitude as countless as the stars of heaven, on the very threshold of inheriting the Promised Land. It underscores divine power, miraculous growth, and the reliability of God's word, providing both a historical anchor and a foundational encouragement for the challenges ahead.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:10 is situated within Moses' opening address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 1:6-8) recount God's command at Horeb (Mount Sinai) to break camp and move towards the Promised Land, emphasizing the fulfillment of the oath made to their ancestors. Following this, Moses describes the practical challenge posed by the nation's immense size, detailing the necessity of appointing leaders and judges (Deuteronomy 1:9-18) to assist him in governance. Verse 10 specifically highlights the *reason* for this organizational need: the sheer, miraculous multiplication of the people, directly linking their present reality to God's ancient promises. It serves as a foundational statement validating God's past actions before Moses recounts the subsequent journey and their failures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is set approximately 40 years after the Exodus, with the Israelites poised to enter Canaan. They are a second generation, many of whom did not experience the Exodus firsthand. Moses' address serves as a covenant renewal ceremony, reminding them of God's past faithfulness, their covenant obligations, and the consequences of obedience or disobedience. The cultural understanding of "stars of heaven" as a metaphor for innumerable multitude was common in the ancient Near East, but here it carries specific theological weight, directly referencing the divine oath to Abraham. The transition from a nomadic desert existence to settled life in a land flowing with milk and honey required not only spiritual preparation but also practical governance, making the acknowledgment of their vast numbers in this verse particularly relevant to the administrative details that follow.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 1:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**. The verse explicitly declares that God has kept His word, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars, as seen in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham") and [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Abraham"). This miraculous **Multiplication of Israel** from a small family into a vast nation is a testament to God's power and blessing, reinforcing the idea that His promises are not dependent on human ability but on His sovereign will. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Leadership and Governance**, as the sheer size of the multiplied nation necessitates a structured system of justice and administration, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 1:12-18](/deuteronomy/1-12 "Deuteronomy 1:12-18 - The Appointment of Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Multiplied (Hebrew, _rabah'_):** This verb signifies "to become great, numerous, abundant." Its use here emphasizes not merely natural growth but a divinely orchestrated, supernatural increase. It highlights God's active role as the agent of their multiplication ("The LORD your God *hath multiplied* you"), underscoring His power and commitment to His covenant. This term frequently appears in contexts of divine blessing and fruitfulness, signifying a flourishing beyond human capacity.
* **Stars of heaven (Hebrew, _kokhvei hashamayim'_):** This is a powerful and recurrent simile throughout the Old Testament, first appearing in God's promise to Abraham in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham"). It denotes an uncountable, immeasurable multitude, emphasizing the vastness and impossibility of human enumeration. The imagery evokes the boundless expanse of the night sky, symbolizing the extraordinary and miraculous nature of Israel's population growth, directly linking their present reality to the ancient, seemingly impossible, divine oath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD your God hath multiplied you,"**: This opening clause unequivocally attributes Israel's astonishing population growth directly to Yahweh. It emphasizes God's active, sovereign hand in their history, not merely as a passive observer but as the divine agent who supernaturally increased their numbers from the seventy souls who went down to Egypt (cf. [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's Family in Egypt")) to the vast multitude standing before Moses. This statement serves as a foundational declaration of divine faithfulness and power.
* **"and, behold, ye [are] this day as the stars of heaven for multitude."**: This second clause presents the tangible evidence of God's work. The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _v'hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the remarkable reality. The comparison to "the stars of heaven" is a direct echo of God's oath to Abraham (cf. [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham"); [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Abraham")), serving as a powerful declaration that a seemingly impossible divine promise has been fulfilled in their very presence. "For multitude" (לָרֹב, _larov_) further emphasizes the sheer abundance and great number, reinforcing the complete and undeniable fulfillment of the covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude." This vivid comparison draws on a common ancient Near Eastern image of countlessness, but here it carries profound theological weight, directly echoing God's covenant promises to Abraham. This **Echo** or **Allusion** to earlier Abrahamic narratives is a crucial device, reminding the audience of God's long-standing faithfulness and the historical trajectory of His redemptive plan. The statement also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, as the number of Israelites, while vast, was not literally infinite like the stars, but the exaggeration effectively conveys the miraculous and overwhelming scale of their growth. The declarative tone, attributing the multiplication directly to "The LORD your God," also functions as a **Theological Affirmation**, grounding the nation's existence and prosperity firmly in divine action rather than human effort.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:10 is a cornerstone for understanding God's covenant faithfulness. It powerfully demonstrates that divine promises, even those seemingly impossible, are meticulously fulfilled in history. The miraculous multiplication of Israel from a single family to a vast nation underscores God's sovereign power over life and demographics, proving His reliability and the efficacy of His word. This fulfillment serves as a profound encouragement to the Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, assuring them that the God who kept His promise of numerous descendants will also keep His promise of giving them the land. It reinforces the theological truth that God's character is one of unwavering fidelity, providing a historical anchor for future trust and obedience.

* [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants")
* [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Abraham")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Multiplication in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:10 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God is utterly faithful to His promises. Just as He miraculously multiplied Israel from a small family into a vast nation, so too does He work in our lives, often exceeding our expectations and human capabilities. This verse encourages us to trust in God's word and His timing, even when circumstances seem impossible or when the fulfillment of a promise feels distant. It calls us to reflect on the ways God has been faithful in our own lives, acknowledging His hand in our growth, provision, and the unfolding of His plans. Furthermore, the context of this verse, leading into Moses' need for shared leadership, reminds us that divine blessing and growth often necessitate new structures, shared responsibilities, and humble reliance on God's wisdom in administration. We are called to recognize God's active presence in our communities and personal journeys, celebrating His past faithfulness as a foundation for future trust and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community are you currently waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled?**
* **How does reflecting on God's historical faithfulness to Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:10, strengthen your trust in Him today?**
* **What "impossible" situations have you witnessed God transform into a testament to His power and faithfulness?**
* **How might God's blessings and growth in your life or church necessitate new forms of organization or shared leadership, similar to Moses' experience?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude" is profoundly significant because it directly echoes God's original, unconditional promise to Abraham in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham") and reiterated in [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Abraham"). It serves as a powerful declaration that this seemingly impossible divine oath, made centuries earlier, has now been visibly and undeniably fulfilled. It signifies not just numerical growth, but a miraculous, divinely orchestrated multiplication that transcends human capacity, demonstrating God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant word. For the Israelites on the plains of Moab, it was a tangible sign of God's reliability, providing assurance that He would also fulfill His promise to give them the land of Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:10, while celebrating the physical multiplication of Israel, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The promise to Abraham was not merely about a physical lineage but also about a spiritual seed through whom all nations would be blessed (cf. [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Paul clarifies in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ") that "the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ." Therefore, the true "multitude" of Abraham's descendants, "as the stars of heaven," is ultimately the vast, global company of believers—both Jew and Gentile—who are united in Christ through faith (cf. [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The "multiplication" God promised is fulfilled in the exponential growth of the Church, the spiritual Israel, drawing countless individuals from every tribe and nation into God's family, a multitude no one can number (cf. [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")). Thus, Deuteronomy 1:10 foreshadows the even greater, spiritual multiplication that God accomplishes through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ, gathering His chosen people from all corners of the earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Exodus 32:13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

Genesis 15:5

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Deuteronomy 28:62

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

Genesis 28:14

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Numbers 1:46

Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.