Deuteronomy 1:29

KJV

Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I said {H559} unto you, Dread {H6206} not, neither be afraid {H3372} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I answered you, 'Don't be fearful, don't be afraid of them.

Berean Standard Bible

So I said to you: “Do not be terrified or afraid of them!

American Standard Version

Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:29 encapsulates Moses' urgent pastoral appeal to the Israelites, commanding them to cast off the paralyzing fear that had gripped them at the very threshold of the Promised Land. This powerful exhortation, "Dread not, neither be afraid of them," directly confronts the panic ignited by the spies' report of formidable inhabitants, serving as a vital call to faith and trust in God's unwavering promises and His omnipotent power to fight on behalf of His people, thereby contrasting human apprehension with divine faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:29 is strategically placed within Moses' opening retrospective sermon to the new generation of Israelites in the plains of Moab, delivered forty years after the events at Kadesh-barnea. This address, which spans the first four chapters of Deuteronomy, serves as a crucial reminder of their history, particularly highlighting the failures and consequences of their parents' generation. Moses meticulously recounts the journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea, the pivotal moment of sending the spies, and the subsequent rebellion of the people when confronted with the daunting prospect of entering the land. His direct words in this verse immediately precede the account of the people's refusal to advance, their grumbling, and God's resultant judgment of forty years of wilderness wandering, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 1:32-35](/deuteronomy/1-32-35 "Deuteronomy 1:32-35 - The Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Thus, Deuteronomy 1:29 marks a critical juncture of decision, emphasizing the profound importance of obedience rooted in unwavering faith.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Deuteronomy 1:29 is the immediate aftermath of the spies' return from Canaan, an event vividly recounted in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent into Canaan"). Ten of the twelve spies delivered a terrifying report of fortified cities and inhabitants of immense stature, including the Anakim (giants), which caused the entire congregation to weep and rebel against Moses and Aaron. Culturally, the Israelites were a people recently freed from centuries of slavery in Egypt. Despite having witnessed God's miraculous deliverance through the Exodus and His consistent provision in the wilderness, they continued to struggle with a deep-seated fear of human adversaries and a profound lack of trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises. Their fear was not merely a natural reaction to danger but a profound spiritual failure, manifesting as a desire to return to the perceived security of Egypt rather than facing the challenges of the Promised Land, a land God had sworn to give them, as Moses reminds them in [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - God's Promise of the Land").

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 1:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch.
* **The Necessity of Trust and Obedience:** Moses' command to "dread not, neither be afraid" is a direct and urgent call to radical trust in God's power and faithfulness, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. The subsequent rebellion of the Israelites vividly underscores the catastrophic consequences of disobedience rooted in fear and unbelief. This theme is foundational to Deuteronomy's repeated emphasis on "listening" (Shema) and "obeying" God's commands, as powerfully articulated in the [Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema and Love for God").
* **God as the Divine Warrior:** Underlying Moses' exhortation is the profound theological truth that God Himself would fight for Israel, a theme powerfully articulated throughout the Old Testament. The fear of the Canaanites was irrational precisely because it failed to account for the invincible power of the Lord, who had already delivered them from Egypt's mighty Pharaoh. This concept is reiterated later in [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Will Fight for You").
* **Consequences of Unbelief:** The immediate and severe consequence of the Israelites' fear and unbelief at Kadesh-barnea was the forty-year wilderness wandering, during which the entire adult generation, save for Caleb and Joshua, perished. This serves as a stark and enduring warning against the dangers of allowing fear to override faith in God's promises, a crucial lesson Moses is determined to impress upon the new generation as they stand poised to enter the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) is used with great latitude, meaning "to say," "speak," "declare," or "command." In this context, it signifies Moses' authoritative and deliberate communication to the people. It highlights his role as God's appointed messenger, conveying a vital directive that is both pastoral and prophetic, intended to counter their fear with a divine perspective.
* **Dread (Hebrew, _ʻârats'_):** This primitive root (H6206) means "to awe" or, intransitively, "to dread." It conveys a sense of being terrified, affrighted, or overwhelmed by fear to the point of being harassed or broken. Moses uses this term to address the initial, intense terror that seized the people upon hearing the spies' report, a profound apprehension that threatened to paralyze their will and derail their divine mission to enter the Promised Land.
* **afraid (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This primitive root (H3372) means "to fear," but can also denote reverential awe (fear of God). In this specific context, it refers to a debilitating fear of external threats, leading to a state of being affrighted or dread-filled. Moses' use of this term, coupled with "dread," emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the fear he is commanding them to reject. It encompasses both the initial shock and the sustained, demoralizing terror that prevented them from moving forward in faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I said unto you,"**: This opening clause establishes Moses' direct, personal, and authoritative address to the assembled people. It underscores his role as God's mediator and leader, stepping into a moment of national crisis to guide and reassure a fearful nation. This is not merely a historical recounting but a re-presentation of a crucial pastoral intervention, designed to counter their despair with a word rooted in divine perspective.
* **"Dread not,"**: This is a powerful, direct imperative command. It targets the initial, overwhelming sense of terror and apprehension that gripped the Israelites. Moses is urging them to actively resist the impulse to panic, to choose faith over their immediate emotional response. This command calls for a conscious rejection of the fear that had taken hold of their hearts and minds, preventing them from seeing God's power.
* **"neither be afraid of them."**: This second imperative reinforces the first, specifically directing their attention away from the "them"—the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, including the Anakim. The double negation ("Dread not, neither be afraid") emphasizes the absolute nature of the command: there is no acceptable level of fear when God has promised victory and is present to fight for His people. This clause shifts the focus from the internal state of dread to the external object of their fear, reminding them that their adversaries, however strong, are ultimately insignificant compared to the omnipotent power of God.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:29 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent message and underscore its significance. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, evident in the use of two distinct but closely related Hebrew terms for fear (ʻârats and yârêʼ). This repetition intensifies the command, covering the full spectrum of debilitating fear—from initial dread to sustained terror—and leaving no ambiguity about the absolute prohibition against it. The verse also functions as a direct **Exhortation**, a forceful call to action (or, more precisely, to cease inaction born of fear) from Moses' position of divinely appointed authority. Moses' words present a powerful **Antithesis** to the people's current state of panic, setting up a clear contrast between human fear and God's promised power and presence. Furthermore, the verse is embedded within a larger **Retrospective Narrative**, where Moses recounts past events and failures to teach crucial lessons to the present generation, transforming historical missteps into pedagogical tools for future success and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:29 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical theme of faith in the face of adversity. It profoundly illustrates that fear, when it leads to disobedience and distrust in God, is a significant spiritual failing. Moses' command is not merely a psychological pep talk but a theological injunction rooted in the immutable character of God, who is faithful to His promises and omnipotent to deliver. The Israelites' tragic failure to heed this warning at Kadesh-barnea became a paradigmatic example of unbelief, demonstrating that God's covenant blessings are contingent upon a trusting obedience that actively overcomes human apprehension. This verse highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between reliance on human sight and reliance on divine promise, a tension that permeates the entire biblical narrative and calls believers to consistently choose faith over fear.

* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Help")
* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation")
* [Hebrews 3:12-19](/hebrews/3-12-19 "Hebrews 3:12-19 - The Danger of Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:29 resonates deeply with the universal human experience of confronting overwhelming challenges. In our contemporary lives, the "giants" and "fortified cities" can manifest as daunting financial crises, debilitating health battles, complex relational conflicts, or even the sheer magnitude of our God-given calling. Like the Israelites, we are often tempted to fixate on the size of our problems rather than the infinite greatness of our God. Moses' timeless words, "Dread not, neither be afraid of them," serve as an enduring reminder that our primary response to fear should be to anchor ourselves firmly in God's unchanging character and His unfailing promises. This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's power and to actively choose trust over terror, remembering that the Lord Himself fights for His people. It encourages us to confront our fears not with self-reliance or manufactured courage, but with a profound and active faith that God is infinitely bigger than any obstacle and that His sovereign presence is our ultimate security and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or "fortified cities" are you currently facing that are causing you to dread or be afraid?**
* **How does focusing on the perceived size of your problems, rather than the undisputed greatness of God, impact your faith and decision-making?**
* **In what practical and intentional ways can you "dread not" and "not be afraid" in your current circumstances, actively choosing trust over fear?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to and meditate upon when fear attempts to paralyze your spirit and actions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses need to tell the Israelites not to be afraid if God had already promised them the land?**

Answer: Moses' exhortation in [Deuteronomy 1:29](/deuteronomy/1-29 "Deuteronomy 1:29 - Moses' Exhortation Against Fear") was absolutely necessary precisely because the Israelites, despite God's clear promises and miraculous interventions (such as the Exodus from Egypt and the daily provision of manna), consistently struggled with unbelief and a profound fear of human adversaries. The spies' report of formidable inhabitants and heavily fortified cities in [Numbers 13:28-29](/numbers/13-28-29 "Numbers 13:28-29 - The Spies' Report") directly contradicted their faith in God's ability and willingness to deliver on His word. Moses' words were a crucial pastoral intervention, a direct challenge to their limited human perspective, reminding them that God's power far exceeded any earthly threat. He was calling them to align their hearts and minds with God's divine perspective and to trust in His active presence to fight for them, a truth he later powerfully reiterates to Joshua in [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Will Fight for You").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:29, with its imperative command to "Dread not, neither be afraid of them," finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The paralyzing fear that gripped Israel was fundamentally a fear of death and the oppressive powers of this fallen world, precisely what Christ decisively conquered. Jesus, as the ultimate divine warrior, faced down the true giants of sin, death, and the devil, not through human might or military conquest, but through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross. His glorious resurrection is the definitive proof that believers need not fear any adversary, for He has "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Moreover, Christ's repeated admonitions to His disciples, such as "Do not be afraid" when He walked on water ([Matthew 14:27](/matthew/14-27 "Matthew 14:27 - Jesus Walks on Water")), powerfully echo Moses' words, but with the added, transformative assurance of His indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, believers are empowered to overcome fear, not by their own strength or resolve, but by resting in His finished work and trusting in His unwavering promise to be "with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). The "Promised Land" for the New Testament believer is not merely a physical territory but the spiritual rest and eternal inheritance found exclusively in Christ, a reality we enter by faith, not by fear, as beautifully expounded in [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God").

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.