Deuteronomy 1:31

KJV

And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the wilderness {H4057}, where thou hast seen {H7200} how that the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} bare {H5375} thee, as a man {H376} doth bear {H5375} his son {H1121}, in all the way {H1870} that ye went {H1980}, until ye came {H935} into this place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and likewise in the desert, where you saw how ADONAI your God carried you, like a man carries his child, along the entire way you traveled until you arrived at this place.

Berean Standard Bible

and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.”

American Standard Version

and in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that Jehovah thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came unto this place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:31, a poignant declaration by Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, serves as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and tender, paternal care throughout their arduous forty-year journey through the wilderness. This verse encapsulates the divine provision, protection, and intimate guidance the LORD extended to His people, vividly likening His attentiveness to that of a loving father nurturing and carrying his son through every step of life's challenging path until they reached their destined inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Moses's opening address to the second generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 1:1-30) recount the journey from Horeb (Sinai), the appointment of leaders, the sending of the spies, and the subsequent rebellion and unbelief that led to the forty-year wilderness wandering. Moses is not merely narrating history but is deliberately recounting God's past actions and Israel's responses to impress upon this new generation the importance of obedience and faith as they prepare to inherit the land. Verse 31 specifically highlights God's steadfast care despite Israel's failures, serving as a foundational reminder of His character before Moses transitions into the exposition of the Law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the end of the forty-year wilderness sojourn, with the Israelites encamped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, looking across to Canaan. This generation had grown up in the wilderness, many having only heard stories of the Exodus. The "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, _midbar'_) was a harsh, desolate, and dangerous environment, a place of testing and reliance on divine provision. Culturally, the metaphor of a father "bearing" his son would have resonated deeply within ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, signifying not just physical carrying but also protection, provision, instruction, and the transmission of inheritance. It speaks to a profound, intimate, and responsible relationship, emphasizing the father's role as the primary caregiver and sustainer of his offspring.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 1:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It underscores **Divine Providence and Care**, illustrating God's active and continuous oversight of His people, providing for their every need in a hostile environment, much like He provided manna and water (see [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail") and [Exodus 17](/exodus/17 "Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock")). The tender **God's Paternal Love** is a central motif, portraying the LORD not as a distant deity but as a compassionate, nurturing Father who intimately cares for His children, a theme echoed in [Psalm 103:13](/psalms/103-13 "Psalm 103:13 - God's Compassion Like a Father"). Furthermore, the verse highlights God's **Faithfulness Through Adversity**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people despite their repeated rebellion and unbelief (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea")), proving His steadfastness even when Israel faltered.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bare (Hebrew, _nasa'_):** The Hebrew verb נָשָׂא (_nasa'_) is rich in meaning, encompassing "to lift," "to carry," "to bear," "to support," and "to endure." In this context, it conveys the active, sustained effort of God in lifting up, supporting, and carrying the Israelites through their arduous journey. It implies a profound dependency of Israel on God's strength and willingness to meet their every need, not merely observing but actively intervening and sustaining them like a parent carries a child who is too weak or weary to walk on their own. This verb is also used in [Exodus 19:4](/exodus/19-4 "Exodus 19:4 - On Eagles' Wings"), where God says He "bore" Israel on eagles' wings, further emphasizing His powerful and protective carrying.
* **Wilderness (Hebrew, _midbar'_):** The term מִדְבָּר (_midbar'_) refers to a desolate, uncultivated, and often dangerous region. It is not merely a geographical location but also a theological space of testing, purification, and direct encounter with God. For Israel, the wilderness was a place where their reliance on God was absolute, where their faith was refined, and where God's miraculous provision was most evident. The fact that God "bare" them *in* the wilderness underscores the extraordinary nature of His care amidst extreme hardship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the wilderness,"**: This phrase immediately sets the challenging scene, reminding the Israelites of the harsh, barren, and dangerous environment through which they had traveled for forty years. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's provision and protection in a place where survival was otherwise impossible.
* **"where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee,"**: Moses appeals to their direct experience and observation ("thou hast seen"). This is not hearsay but a verifiable testimony of God's active, sustained, and visible involvement in their journey. The phrase "the LORD thy God" highlights His covenantal relationship and sovereign power as the one true God who had committed Himself to them.
* **"as a man doth bear his son,"**: This is the heart of the simile, providing a tender and relatable image of God's care. It likens the Almighty God's actions to the intimate, protective, and nurturing care of a human father for his child. It speaks of patience, compassion, constant vigilance, and a willingness to carry burdens too heavy for the child to bear alone.
* **"in all the way that ye went,"**: This emphasizes the continuous and comprehensive nature of God's care. It was not sporadic or conditional but constant, covering every step, every challenge, and every moment of their long and arduous journey, regardless of the terrain or circumstances.
* **"until ye came into this place."**: This concluding phrase marks the culmination of God's faithful guidance. "This place" refers to the plains of Moab, the threshold of the Promised Land. It signifies the successful completion of the journey under God's watchful eye, bringing His people to the very brink of their inheritance, a testament to His unwavering commitment to His promises.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:31 is rich in literary artistry, primarily employing **Simile** and **Anthropomorphism**. The central **Simile**, "as a man doth bear his son," is profoundly effective. It takes an abstract theological concept—God's care—and makes it tangible and relatable by comparing it to a universal human experience: a father's tender and protective carrying of his child. This comparison evokes warmth, intimacy, and profound trust. The verse also utilizes **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human actions and emotions (like "bearing" or "seeing") to God, making His divine nature more comprehensible and His relationship with humanity more personal. While God is Spirit, this literary device helps convey His active involvement and relational character. Furthermore, the passage functions as **Recapitulation**, as Moses is recounting past events to instruct and inspire the present generation, using historical narrative to convey theological truth and prepare them for future obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:31 serves as a foundational declaration of God's character as a loving, faithful, and actively involved Father. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not a distant, disengaged deity but one who intimately cares for His people, providing for their needs and protecting them through life's most challenging journeys. This paternal imagery is central to understanding the covenant relationship, where God commits Himself to His people with the same tender devotion a father shows his child. It highlights divine grace, as God's steadfast care persisted despite Israel's frequent rebellion and lack of faith, demonstrating His unconditional love and commitment to His promises. This verse invites believers to trust in God's enduring presence and provision, knowing that He faithfully carries His children through every "wilderness" experience until they reach their ultimate destination.

* [Exodus 19:4](/exodus/19-4 "Exodus 19:4 - God Carries Israel on Eagles' Wings")
* [Isaiah 46:3-4](/isaiah/46-3 "Isaiah 46:3-4 - God Carries His People from Birth to Old Age")
* [Psalm 103:13](/psalms/103-13 "Psalm 103:13 - The Lord's Compassion Like a Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:31 offers profound comfort and enduring hope for believers navigating the "wilderness" seasons of their own lives. Just as God meticulously cared for Israel, providing for their every need and bearing them through impossible circumstances, so too does He promise to sustain and carry His people today. This verse reminds us that our journey of faith is not one we undertake alone; God is intimately involved in every step, every struggle, and every triumph. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in His unfailing love and provision, recognizing that His paternal care extends to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When we feel overwhelmed, weak, or lost, we can lean into the truth that the Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, is actively "bearing" us, ensuring we reach our ultimate destination. This encourages us to reflect on His past faithfulness in our lives and to confidently anticipate His continued presence and provision in the future, knowing that His commitment to His children is unwavering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" seasons of your life have you most clearly seen God "bear" you?**
* **How does the image of God as a father carrying his son impact your understanding of His love and care for you personally?**
* **What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God's "carrying" today, trusting in His provision and guidance?**
* **How can remembering God's faithfulness in the past strengthen your faith for the challenges you face in the present or future?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "wilderness" in this verse?**

Answer: The "wilderness" (Hebrew, _midbar'_) is highly significant. It represents a period of extreme hardship, desolation, and danger, where the Israelites were entirely dependent on God for survival. Theologically, it was a place of testing and purification, where God revealed Himself and His covenant to Israel, teaching them to rely solely on His miraculous provision (manna, water, protection). The fact that God "bare" them *in* this wilderness underscores the extraordinary nature of His care and faithfulness in the most challenging circumstances, proving His ability to sustain His people even when human resources fail.

**What does the phrase "bare thee, as a man doth bear his son" truly imply about God's character?**

Answer: This beautiful simile reveals God's character as intimately paternal, compassionate, and actively involved in the lives of His people. It implies a tender, patient, and protective love, much like a loving father carries a weary or vulnerable child. It signifies that God not only provides for His children but also supports them, lifts them up when they stumble, and carries their burdens. This imagery highlights His personal relationship with Israel, emphasizing His nurturing presence, His willingness to endure their struggles with them, and His commitment to bring them safely to their destination, regardless of the obstacles.

**How does Deuteronomy 1:31 provide comfort and encouragement for believers today?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 1:31 offers immense comfort by assuring believers that the same faithful God who carried Israel through their wilderness journey continues to carry His people today. It reminds us that no matter how difficult or prolonged our "wilderness" experiences (trials, suffering, uncertainty) may be, God's love, provision, and presence are constant. We are not alone, and we are not expected to bear our burdens in our own strength. Just as a father carries his son, God promises to sustain us, meet our needs, and guide us "in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place," ultimately bringing us to His promised rest and inheritance. It fosters trust and encourages us to lean on His strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:31, with its tender depiction of God as a Father "bearing" His son through the wilderness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's paternal heart, it is in Christ that this fatherly care is perfectly embodied and extended to all who believe. Jesus, the [Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God so loved the world"), perfectly reveals the Father's character, demonstrating God's willingness to "bear" the ultimate burden—the sin of humanity—upon Himself (as seen in [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ has not only carried our sins but also continues to carry us through the wilderness of this fallen world, interceding for us as our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"). Furthermore, the promise of God's constant presence and carrying is actualized in the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to be our [Comforter and Helper](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper"), guiding us "in all the way that ye went" until we reach our eternal inheritance in the New Heavens and New Earth (referenced in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the Father's ancient promise to "bear" His people is fully realized in the Triune God's ongoing work of salvation, sanctification, and ultimate glorification through Christ.

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

Isaiah 46:3

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne [by me] from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

Isaiah 46:4

And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

Hosea 11:3

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

Hosea 11:4

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

Deuteronomy 32:10

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Deuteronomy 32:12

[So] the LORD alone did lead him, and [there was] no strange god with him.

Acts 13:18

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.