Deuteronomy 29:16

KJV

(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;

KJV (with Strong's)

(For ye know {H3045} how we have dwelt {H3427} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}; and how we came {H5674} through {H7130} the nations {H1471} which ye passed by {H5674};

Complete Jewish Bible

For you know how we lived in the land of Egypt and how we came directly through the nations you passed through;

Berean Standard Bible

For you yourselves know how we lived in the land of Egypt and how we passed through the nations on the way here.

American Standard Version

(for ye know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which ye passed;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:16 serves as a pivotal historical and rhetorical anchor within Moses' final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab. It vividly recalls their collective memory of their prolonged dwelling in the idolatrous land of Egypt and their subsequent journey through various pagan nations. This verse establishes a crucial premise for Moses' solemn warnings against apostasy, emphasizing that the Israelites had direct, undeniable exposure to the abominable practices of other cultures, thereby removing any excuse for them to adopt similar idolatrous ways upon entering the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 29:16 is situated within the climactic third major discourse of Moses, specifically within a solemn covenant renewal ceremony held on the plains of Moab. This section, encompassing [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - Covenant Renewal and Warnings") and [Deuteronomy 30](/deuteronomy/30 "Deuteronomy 30 - Blessings, Curses, and Choice"), functions as a profound reiteration and expansion of the Mosaic Covenant originally established at [Mount Horeb (Sinai)](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"). Moses is addressing a new generation, the descendants of those who had perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience. Immediately following this verse, Moses issues explicit warnings against idolatry and the dangers of a "root that bears poisonous and bitter fruit" ([Deuteronomy 29:18](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18 - The Root of Bitterness")). Thus, [Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry") acts as a foundational premise, highlighting Israel's direct exposure to paganism as the basis for God's expectation of their exclusive and unwavering loyalty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites' historical experience profoundly shapes the message of [Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry"). They had endured over 400 years in Egypt, a civilization deeply entrenched in polytheism, animal worship, and elaborate cultic practices. Their liberation from Egypt was a dramatic demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy over the entire Egyptian pantheon, as evidenced by the plagues and the judgment on their gods ([Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on Egyptian Gods")). Following the Exodus, their wilderness journey led them through territories inhabited by various Canaanite and Transjordanian peoples—such as the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Amorites—all of whom practiced diverse forms of idolatry, including Baal worship, child sacrifice, and fertility cults. Moses' reminder in this verse taps into a potent collective memory of these direct encounters, underscoring that Israel had not been shielded from these pagan influences but had directly witnessed their "abominations" (as further detailed in [Deuteronomy 29:17](/deuteronomy/29-17 "Deuteronomy 29:17 - Idols of Wood, Stone, Silver, and Gold")). This firsthand knowledge intensified their accountability for future choices.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Deuteronomy. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **remembrance and historical precedent**, urging the new generation of Israel to learn invaluable lessons from their past experiences and God's consistent faithfulness through them. Secondly, it sharply delineates the **contrast between Yahweh and the false gods** of the surrounding nations, thereby setting the stage for Deuteronomy's unwavering call to exclusive monotheism and its stern warnings against idolatry—a central tenet of the [Deuteronomic covenant theology](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"). Thirdly, it underscores the critical theme of **covenant fidelity and accountability**. Israel's direct, experiential exposure to the dangers and futility of paganism means they are rendered without excuse should they turn away from the one true God. This historical context serves as a potent rhetorical device for Moses, impressing upon the new generation the profound gravity of their impending choices and responsibilities in the Promised Land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to know," encompassing a wide range of meanings from simple acquaintance to intimate, experiential knowledge. In [Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry"), "ye know" (yeda'tem) implies not merely intellectual awareness but a deep, personal, and undeniable understanding gained through direct observation and prolonged exposure. The Israelites had seen, heard, and experienced the realities of Egyptian and Canaanite idolatry, making their knowledge concrete and irrefutable.
* **Dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This verb means "to sit down, to remain, to inhabit, to dwell." Its use here highlights the prolonged and settled nature of Israel's sojourn in Egypt. It suggests a deep immersion in the cultural and religious environment of Egypt for centuries, indicating that their understanding of Egyptian idolatry was not superficial but intimate, even if they were oppressed within that context. This extended "dwelling" implies a thorough, experiential knowledge of the pagan practices.
* **Nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** While literally meaning "peoples" or "nations," in the biblical context, especially when contrasted with Israel, _gôwy_ (plural _goyim_) often carries the connotation of non-Israelite, pagan peoples. These "nations" through which Israel "passed by" were characterized by their polytheistic religions, often involving practices deemed detestable by Yahweh, such as child sacrifice and cultic prostitution. The term here emphasizes the alien, idolatrous, and morally corrupt nature of the surrounding cultures that Israel encountered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt;":** This initial clause serves as a powerful rhetorical appeal to the collective memory and shared experience of the Israelites. Moses reminds them of their long and formative sojourn in Egypt, a land utterly saturated with polytheism, magical practices, and idolatry. The phrase "ye know" (yeda'tem) underscores their personal, undeniable, and experiential knowledge of the spiritual darkness and pagan practices prevalent in Egypt, a knowledge gained through centuries of living within that culture. This past experience provides a crucial baseline for understanding the spiritual dangers and moral choices Moses is about to warn them against, making their future accountability undeniable.
* **"and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;":** This second clause extends the historical reminder beyond Egypt to their more recent journey through the wilderness. As the Israelites traveled towards Canaan, they encountered various non-Israelite peoples, such as the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Amorites. While their interaction with these groups was more transient than their dwelling in Egypt, they nonetheless observed their religious customs and "abominations" (as explicitly stated in the subsequent verse, [Deuteronomy 29:17](/deuteronomy/29-17 "Deuteronomy 29:17 - Idols of Wood, Stone, Silver, and Gold")). This continued, albeit brief, exposure to paganism reinforces Moses' central point: Israel had ample opportunity to witness the futility, moral decay, and spiritual depravity of idol worship, leaving them without any legitimate excuse for adopting such practices themselves.

#### Literary Devices
Moses employs several potent literary devices in [Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry") to underscore his message. The most prominent is **Recapitulation**, as he re-establishes a foundational element of Israel's historical narrative—their journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. This consistent re-telling is a hallmark of Deuteronomy, serving to remind the audience of God's past faithfulness and their own formative experiences. Moses also utilizes a strong form of **Rhetorical Appeal** to shared memory and common knowledge with the direct address, "For ye know." This phrase engages the audience directly, assuming their understanding and complicity in the historical facts, thereby making the subsequent warnings and covenant obligations more immediate and impactful. Furthermore, the verse employs **Juxtaposition** by contrasting their prolonged "dwelling" in Egypt with their more transient "passing through" other nations. Despite the difference in duration, both experiences served to expose them to paganism, emphasizing the pervasive nature of idolatry in the world around them and the comprehensive nature of their prior knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry") serves as a foundational premise for Moses' urgent call to covenant fidelity. By reminding Israel of their direct, experiential knowledge of the idolatrous practices of Egypt and the nations they traversed, Moses establishes a clear moral and theological accountability. They had seen firsthand the futility of man-made gods, the spiritual emptiness, and the moral depravity often associated with their worship, contrasting sharply with the living, omnipotent God who delivered them from bondage. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of exclusive allegiance to Yahweh, setting the stage for the severe warnings against apostasy that follow. It highlights God's demand for a distinct people, set apart from the surrounding pagan cultures, whose worship is pure, undivided, and solely directed to Him.

* [Exodus 20:2-3](/exodus/20-2-3 "The First Commandment")
* [Joshua 24:14-15](/joshua/24-14-15 "Choose Whom You Will Serve")
* [Psalm 106:34-39](/psalm/106-34-39 "Israel's Disobedience and Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry") offers a timeless principle for believers today: our past experiences, both positive and negative, should profoundly inform our present choices and cultivate future spiritual vigilance. Just as Israel had witnessed the spiritual emptiness and moral decay of idolatry firsthand, we too are constantly exposed to the "gods" of our contemporary culture—materialism, self-worship, the pursuit of power, insatiable pleasure, and fleeting trends. Moses' powerful reminder compels us to critically examine what we have "dwelt in" or "passed through" in our own lives, recognizing the subtle or overt ways the world seeks to draw our allegiance away from God. This verse calls us to cultivate acute spiritual discernment, to identify and decisively reject anything that competes for the supreme place in our hearts, ensuring our devotion remains solely to the Lord who has delivered us. It challenges us to be a distinct people, reflecting God's holiness and truth in a world still prone to various forms of idolatry, learning from history to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" or "nations" have I "dwelt in" or "passed through" that have exposed me to values or practices contrary to God's Word?**
* **How does my past experience with the world's ways (or God's deliverance from them) inform and strengthen my commitment to Christ today?**
* **What modern "idols" might subtly compete for my ultimate devotion, and how can I actively guard my heart and mind against their allure?**

### FAQ

**Why does Moses emphasize what the Israelites "know" and "saw" about the nations?**

Answer: Moses emphasizes what the Israelites "know" and "saw" about the nations to establish a firm basis for their accountability and to underscore the gravity of his subsequent warnings against idolatry. Having personally witnessed the abominable practices of Egypt and the various peoples they encountered on their journey, Israel could not legitimately claim ignorance of the futility, moral depravity, and spiritual emptiness of pagan worship. This firsthand, experiential knowledge served as a powerful, undeniable lesson in the stark contrast between the living God of Israel and the lifeless idols of the Gentiles. It removed any possible excuse for them to adopt similar practices, making their choice for or against Yahweh a fully informed and morally responsible one. Moses' rhetorical strategy here is to appeal directly to their shared history and collective memory, thereby intensifying the force of his admonition for exclusive loyalty to the Lord, as outlined in the covenant terms of [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - Covenant Renewal and Warnings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Deuteronomy 29:16](/deuteronomy/29-16 "Deuteronomy 29:16 - Israel's Past Exposure to Idolatry"), with its emphasis on Israel's journey through idolatrous lands, profoundly foreshadows the spiritual journey of God's people in Christ. Just as ancient Israel was called out of the bondage of Egypt and led through pagan nations, believers in Christ are called out of the dominion of darkness and into the glorious kingdom of God's dear Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Jesus Himself, as the true Israel and perfect Son, perfectly navigated a world steeped in sin and idolatry, yet remained undefiled and without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). He came precisely to deliver us from the "worthless things" of the world and to turn us to serve the living and true God ([1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning to God from Idols")). The Church, as the new covenant people, is a spiritual nation and a holy priesthood, called to live distinctively in a world still captivated by various forms of idolatry—whether overt or subtle ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")). Our salvation in Christ means we are no longer "of the world" even as we are "in the world," empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist the allure of false gods and to offer exclusive, undivided worship to the Father through the Son, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's deliverance, covenant faithfulness, and the perfect antidote to all forms of idolatry.

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 2:4

And command thou the people, saying, Ye [are] to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:

Deuteronomy 2:19

And [when] thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon [any] possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.

Deuteronomy 2:24

¶ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess [it], and contend with him in battle.

Deuteronomy 3:1

¶ Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:2

And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

Deuteronomy 2:9

And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land [for] a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.