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.

Thy fathers {H1} went down {H3381} into Egypt {H4714} with threescore and ten {H7657} persons {H5315}; and now the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath made {H7760} thee as the stars {H3556} of heaven {H8064} for multitude {H7230}.

Your ancestors went down into Egypt with only seventy people, but now ADONAI your God has made your numbers as many as the stars in the sky!

Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:22 serves as a powerful reminder of God's incredible faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to the nation of Israel. Moses, addressing the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land, contrasts their humble origins with their present vast numbers, attributing this miraculous growth solely to the Lord's power.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' second major discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, delivered to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses is recounting their history, reiterating the Law, and urging them to remember God's mighty acts and covenant faithfulness. The specific reference to "threescore and ten persons" (70 individuals) recalls the small family of Jacob (Israel) who initially went down into Egypt during a famine, as recorded in Genesis 46:27. This historical detail underscores the dramatic transformation that occurred over approximately 400 years of their sojourn there, from a small clan to a numerous people ready to claim their inheritance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Multiplication and Fulfillment of Promise: The core message is God's supernatural ability to take a small beginning and multiply it beyond human expectation. This directly fulfills the foundational promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven or the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17). The Israelite nation's growth is a testament to God's power and His commitment to His word.
  • God's Faithfulness: The verse powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. Despite the Israelites' challenges, their periods of disobedience, and the harsh oppression they faced in Egypt, God remained true to His word, bringing them out as a mighty nation.
  • Remembering Humble Beginnings: Moses compels the people to recall their origins, not to diminish their present stature, but to magnify God's grace and power. It serves as a reminder that their strength and multitude come not from themselves, but from the Lord's divine providence.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "threescore and ten" (70) is a precise enumeration of Jacob's immediate family (excluding his sons' wives) who entered Egypt. This number is significant as it represents the foundational seed from which the vast nation grew. The metaphor "as the stars of heaven for multitude" is a classic biblical expression symbolizing an uncountable, immense number, often used in God's promises of blessing and progeny. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Israel's population explosion.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 10:22 offers great encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible or beginnings are small. Just as He multiplied Israel from 70 souls to a vast nation, He can bring about immense growth and fruitfulness in our lives, our families, or ministries, often from humble beginnings. It encourages us to trust in God's providence and remember His past faithfulness as a guarantee for His future actions. We are called to humility, recognizing that all blessings, strength, and growth ultimately come from His hand.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 46:27 (8 votes)

    And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

  • Genesis 15:5 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 1:5 (7 votes)

    And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt [already].

  • Deuteronomy 1:10 (5 votes)

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

  • Nehemiah 9:23 (4 votes)

    Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess [it].

  • Deuteronomy 28:62 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Numbers 26:51 (3 votes)

    These [were] the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.