Deuteronomy 11:7

KJV

But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.

KJV (with Strong's)

But your eyes {H5869} have seen {H7200} all the great {H1419} acts {H4639} of the LORD {H3068} which he did {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But you have seen with your own eyes all these great deeds of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

For it is your own eyes that have seen every great work that the LORD has done.

American Standard Version

but your eyes have seen all the great work of Jehovah which he did.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 11:7 serves as a profound declaration by Moses to the new generation of Israelites, reminding them that their own eyes had directly witnessed the magnificent and awe-inspiring interventions of the LORD. This verse underscores the undeniable, personal experience of God's power and faithfulness, establishing a firm foundation for their covenant fidelity as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing that their obedience should stem from a direct apprehension of God's mighty deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within Moses' second major discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, often referred to as the Deuteronomic Code (chapters 4:44-28:68). Moses is meticulously reiterating the covenant stipulations and fervently exhorting the people to unwavering obedience before they cross into Canaan. Immediately preceding [Deuteronomy 11:7](/deuteronomy/11-7 "Deuteronomy 11:7 - Your Eyes Have Seen God's Great Acts"), Moses recounts a litany of specific, powerful acts of God: the devastating plagues in Egypt, the miraculous [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Miraculous Crossing of the Red Sea"), God's sustained provision in the wilderness, and the dramatic judgment upon Dathan and Abiram (see [Deuteronomy 11:2-6](/deuteronomy/11-2-6 "Deuteronomy 11:2-6 - Recalling God's Mighty Deeds")). Verse 7 functions as a climactic summary, emphasizing that the current generation, though perhaps younger than their parents, had personally experienced or were intimately aware of these divine demonstrations, distinguishing them from the rebellious generation that perished in the wilderness. This personal witness forms the bedrock of Moses' subsequent call to covenant faithfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, poised on the eastern side of the Jordan River, with the Promised Land stretching before them. Moses is addressing a new generation, largely composed of individuals born during the forty years of wilderness wandering. This generation is on the cusp of inheriting the covenant promises and facing the formidable challenges of settling in Canaan, a land saturated with pagan influences and idolatrous practices. The emphatic phrase "your eyes have seen" is critically important in a culture where oral tradition was paramount, grounding their faith not merely in ancestral stories but in tangible, historical events that they or their immediate community had directly observed. It was a powerful call to remember their unique national history and God's active, sovereign role in it, providing an undeniable incentive for obedience as they prepared to confront new temptations and establish their national identity in the land.

* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 11:7](/deuteronomy/11-7 "Deuteronomy 11:7 - The Witness of Experience") profoundly contributes to several pivotal themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Witness and Experience**, asserting that direct, personal observation of God's mighty deeds forms the indispensable bedrock of faith and the compelling basis for covenant obedience. It is a call to remember what they have seen, not just what they have heard. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Revelation through Action**, demonstrating that God reveals His character, power, and justice not solely through spoken word or codified law, but through powerful, tangible, and undeniable interventions in human history. These "great acts" were not abstract concepts but historical realities that shaped their national identity. Thirdly, it reinforces the critical theme of **Remembrance (Hebrew: _zakar_)**, a consistent and urgent call from Moses for the Israelites to recall God's past faithfulness and mighty deeds. This act of remembering is presented as essential for present and future faithfulness, preventing them from forgetting their identity as God's chosen people and His unwavering commitment to them, a theme powerfully echoed in passages like [Psalm 105:5](/psalm/105-5 "Psalm 105:5 - Remember His Wondrous Works") and [Deuteronomy 4:9](/deuteronomy/4-9 "Deuteronomy 4:9 - Do Not Forget").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eyes (Hebrew, _ʿayin'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root, emphasizes direct, personal, and sensory observation. It signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it speaks of a vivid, undeniable, and often collective encounter with God's power. The plural "your eyes" makes the appeal intensely personal and irrefutable, leaving no room for denial or excuse regarding the reality of God's interventions. It underscores the experiential basis of their faith.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective, derived from the root "to be great," signifies more than just 'large' or 'numerous' deeds. It conveys 'magnificent,' 'awe-inspiring,' 'powerful,' 'extraordinary,' and 'noble' acts. These were not ordinary events but divine demonstrations of unparalleled might, grandeur, and sovereignty, clearly distinguishing God's work from human capability or natural phenomena. It speaks to the qualitative impressiveness of God's actions.
* **acts (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** This noun, derived from the verb "to do or make," refers to an action, deed, or work. In this context, it denotes specific, tangible, and purposeful operations performed by God. It highlights the concrete, historical reality of God's interventions, emphasizing that His power was not abstract but manifested in real-world events that shaped Israel's destiny and revealed His character.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** The use of God's covenant name, YHWH (often translated as "the LORD" in English Bibles), is profoundly significant. It emphasizes the personal, relational, and faithful character of the self-existent God who performed these "great acts." It reminds the Israelites that it was their covenant God, the one who had chosen them, delivered them, and bound Himself to them in a unique relationship, who had intervened so powerfully on their behalf. This name underscores His active presence and unwavering commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But your eyes have seen":** This opening phrase serves as a powerful rhetorical appeal, directly addressing the audience and asserting their personal, undeniable witness to God's actions. The conjunction "But" signals a contrast with the previous generation's failure despite seeing, implying a heightened level of responsibility for this generation who also saw. It establishes the experiential foundation for Moses' exhortation.
* **"all the great acts of the LORD":** This refers to the totality and magnificence of God's interventions on Israel's behalf, encompassing the plagues in Egypt, the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the consistent provision of manna and water in the wilderness, and the dramatic judgment of rebels like Dathan and Abiram. The word "all" emphasizes the comprehensive and continuous nature of God's active involvement in their history, leaving no doubt about His sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness.
* **"which he did":** This simple yet profound clause emphasizes God's active agency and sovereignty. These events were not random occurrences, fortunate coincidences, or the result of human effort, but deliberate, purposeful actions initiated and executed by YHWH Himself. It highlights God as the supreme actor in history, demonstrating His absolute control over creation, human events, and the destiny of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Moses employs several potent literary devices in [Deuteronomy 11:7](/deuteronomy/11-7 "Deuteronomy 11:7 - The Power of Eyewitness Testimony") to underscore his message and make it resonate deeply with his audience. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Appeal**, as Moses directly addresses the audience with the emphatic "your eyes have seen," compelling them to acknowledge their personal experience and the undeniable evidence of God's power. This direct address creates a profound sense of accountability and personal responsibility. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between this generation, who are expected to remember and obey based on what they have seen, and the previous generation, who rebelled despite witnessing similar wonders, thereby highlighting the importance of a faithful response. Furthermore, the phrase "your eyes have seen" functions as a form of **Emphasis** or **Repetition**, as similar appeals to direct observation and remembrance are found throughout Deuteronomy, reinforcing the idea that God's revelation to Israel was tangible, experiential, and therefore irrefutable, forming the very basis of their covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 11:7 articulates a foundational theological principle: God reveals Himself not only through His spoken word and codified law but also decisively through His mighty acts in history. This divine pedagogy, where God teaches His people through tangible demonstrations of His power, justice, and faithfulness, is a consistent and central theme throughout the biblical narrative. The expectation is that such undeniable revelation demands a profound response of faith, obedience, and diligent remembrance. The Israelites' direct experience of God's "great acts" serves as the unshakeable basis for their unique covenant relationship and their call to be a holy nation, distinct from all others. This principle transcends the Old Testament, finding its ultimate and most glorious expression in the New Testament's witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

* [Psalm 78:12](/psalm/78-12 "Psalm 78:12 - God's Wonders in Egypt")
* [Joshua 24:7](/joshua/24-7 "Joshua 24:7 - God's Deliverance at the Red Sea")
* [1 John 1:1](/1_john/1-1 "1 John 1:1 - Witnessing the Word of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 11:7 calls us to a profound reflection on the nature of our faith and its grounding. While we have not personally witnessed the parting of the Red Sea or the manna falling from heaven, we are heirs to a vast legacy of God's "great acts" – recorded in the inspired Scriptures, attested in the unbroken history of the church, and experienced in the intimate details of our personal lives. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of intentional remembrance, actively recalling God's past faithfulness, His deliverances, His provisions, His guidance, and His transformative power. Such remembrance is not mere nostalgia or a passive recollection; it is a vital spiritual discipline that builds our trust and confidence in Him, especially when facing new challenges, uncertainties, or temptations. It also compels us to recount these "great acts" to the next generation, ensuring that the legacy of faith continues and that they too can declare, "our eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD," fostering a living, vibrant faith rooted in God's undeniable reality and His ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great acts of the LORD" have you personally witnessed in your life, in the lives of those around you, or in the broader history of God's people as recorded in Scripture and church history?**
* **How does intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your trust and obedience in present challenges and future uncertainties, helping you to persevere in faith?**
* **In what practical and creative ways can you effectively pass on the legacy of God's mighty deeds and His unchanging character to the next generation within your family, church, or community, making His acts tangible to them?**

### FAQ
**Question?** Why is Moses emphasizing "your eyes have seen" to a generation that was largely born during the wilderness wanderings and might not have personally witnessed all the Exodus events?

Answer: While many in this new generation were indeed young children or born during the wilderness wanderings, they were certainly old enough to have vivid memories of significant events that occurred during that period, such as the daily provision of manna, the miraculous water from the rock, the pillar of cloud and fire that guided them, and the dramatic judgment upon Dathan and Abiram. Furthermore, the phrase "your eyes" can be understood in a collective, national sense, referring to the undeniable experience of the community as a whole. Moses is contrasting this generation with their rebellious parents who perished in the wilderness *despite* having seen God's wonders. The emphasis is on the undeniable, first-hand evidence available to them, whether directly witnessed or intimately experienced as part of the community, making their responsibility to obey even greater. It's an appeal to their shared national memory and the living testimony within their community, as they would have heard these events recounted countless times and seen their effects. The crossing of the Jordan, which this generation *would* directly witness, would serve as a powerful continuation of these "great acts," reinforcing the pattern of God's intervention (see [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 11:7, with its profound emphasis on Israel's direct witness to God's "great acts" in history, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament "great acts" – the Exodus, the wilderness provision, the conquest – were powerful demonstrations of God's sovereignty, deliverance, and faithfulness, but they were shadows pointing to the supreme revelation of God in His Son. The incarnation, the miraculous life, the atoning death, and the glorious resurrection of Jesus constitute the single greatest act of the LORD, surpassing all previous displays of divine power, love, and justice. Just as the Israelites saw God's power in their physical deliverance from Egypt, humanity now witnesses God's ultimate love and redemptive power in Christ's victory over sin and death, a victory that secures eternal life for all who believe. The apostles, like the Israelites, were eyewitnesses, proclaiming, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life" ([1 John 1:1](/1_john/1-1 "1 John 1:1 - Eyewitnesses of the Word of Life")). This ultimate "great act" of salvation, accomplished through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), demands a response of faith, repentance, and obedience from all who hear and believe, echoing the call for covenant fidelity rooted in divine revelation. The New Testament calls believers to remember the finished work of Christ, which is the ultimate basis for our hope, our identity, and our call to live obediently (see [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking Unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")).

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

Psalms 145:4

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

Psalms 145:6

And [men] shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

Psalms 106:2

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?

Psalms 150:2

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Deuteronomy 7:19

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.

Deuteronomy 5:3

The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

Psalms 145:12

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.