Deuteronomy 29:5

KJV

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I have led {H3212} you forty {H705} years {H8141} in the wilderness {H4057}: your clothes {H8008} are not waxen old {H1086} upon you, and thy shoe {H5275} is not waxen old {H1086} upon thy foot {H7272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I led you forty years in the desert. Neither the clothes on your body nor the shoes on your feet wore out.

Berean Standard Bible

For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.

American Standard Version

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxed old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxed old upon thy foot.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:5 stands as a profound testament to God's extraordinary and sustained provision for the Israelites during their arduous forty-year trek through the wilderness. As Moses recounts the Lord's faithfulness to a new generation on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, this verse highlights a specific, continuous miracle: the supernatural preservation of their clothing and footwear, defying the natural wear and tear of time and harsh conditions. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's comprehensive care extends even to the most basic and mundane necessities of His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they cross the Jordan River to enter Canaan. The broader context of [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - Renewal of the Covenant") emphasizes the renewal of the covenant made at Mount Horeb (Sinai), now with the generation that matured in the wilderness. Moses is not merely recounting history but is calling the people to a renewed commitment to God's commands, grounding this call in the undeniable evidence of God's past faithfulness. The preceding verses ([Deuteronomy 29:2-4](/deuteronomy/29-2 "Deuteronomy 29:2-4 - God's Mighty Acts Remembered")) recall the great signs and wonders God performed in Egypt and during the Exodus, setting the stage for this specific, more intimate miracle of daily sustenance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the arid, unforgiving wilderness, a region naturally devoid of the resources necessary to sustain a population of potentially millions for four decades. The Israelites had just completed their forty years of wandering, a period of divine discipline and purification following their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 14:33-35](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33-35 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The generation that had left Egypt had largely perished, and a new generation stood ready to inherit the land. In such a harsh environment, clothing and footwear were not easily replaced; they were vital for survival and protection. The miraculous preservation of these items underscores the supernatural nature of God's provision, demonstrating that their survival was entirely dependent on His direct, active intervention, not on natural means or human ingenuity.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 29:5 vividly illustrates several key themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. First, it powerfully portrays **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, showcasing God's ability to supernaturally meet the most fundamental needs of His people in an inhospitable environment, extending His care to even their garments and shoes. Second, it highlights **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, demonstrating His steadfast commitment to His people despite their frequent rebellion and unbelief during the wilderness journey. This sustained miracle serves as a tangible sign of His enduring love and commitment. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Miraculous Preservation**, revealing a continuous, ongoing act of divine power that defied natural decay and the ravages of time, a miracle also attested to in later biblical accounts such as [Nehemiah 9:21](/nehemiah/9-21 "Nehemiah 9:21 - God's Sustained Provision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **led (Hebrew, _nahag'_):** This verb (נָהַג) means "to drive, to lead, to guide." In this context, it implies an active, purposeful, and continuous leadership by God. It's not merely that the Israelites wandered for forty years, but that God Himself was the one "driving" or "guiding" them through the wilderness. This emphasizes divine initiative and control over their entire journey, highlighting His intimate involvement in their daily existence and their destination.
* **waxen old (Hebrew, _balah'_):** The Hebrew verb (בָּלָה) means "to wear out, to decay, to consume, to grow old." Its repeated use in the verse ("your clothes are not waxen old... and thy shoe is not waxen old") creates a powerful emphasis. It signifies a complete absence of natural deterioration, suggesting that these items remained in a state of perpetual newness or at least perfect usability. This is not about durable materials, but about a miraculous suspension of the natural processes of entropy and decay, directly attributable to divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I have led you forty years in the wilderness:"** This opening clause establishes the duration and setting of God's miraculous care. The "I" is God Himself, speaking through Moses, emphasizing His personal involvement and sovereign direction over the entire wilderness journey. The "forty years" signifies a complete generation, a period of testing, discipline, and divine instruction, during which God remained intimately present and active among His people.
* **"your clothes are not waxen old upon you,"** This is the first specific example of the miracle. In a harsh desert environment, with constant movement, exposure to elements, and lack of laundry facilities, clothing would naturally wear out quickly. The fact that their garments did not deteriorate signifies a continuous, supernatural preservation, defying the laws of nature. It speaks to God's meticulous care for their physical comfort and dignity.
* **"and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot."** This second example reinforces the miraculous nature of God's provision, extending it to the most practical and essential item for travel in rugged terrain. Shoes would be subjected to immense wear and tear over forty years of walking. Their preservation is an equally astounding feat of divine intervention, ensuring their ability to continue the journey without impediment or discomfort, a clear sign of God's comprehensive and detailed provision.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:5 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "waxen old" (or "worn out") in relation to both clothes and shoes. This reiteration serves to emphasize the continuous and comprehensive nature of the miracle, underscoring that it was not a one-time event but a sustained act of divine power over four decades. This repetition also creates a sense of wonder and highlights the extraordinary nature of God's provision. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Testimony** or **Recounting of Past Acts**, where Moses, as God's spokesperson, reminds the people of God's faithfulness, serving as a foundational truth for their future obedience. The specific, tangible nature of the miracle (clothes and shoes) also employs **Concrete Imagery**, making God's abstract faithfulness relatable and undeniable, serving as a powerful **Symbolism** for God's comprehensive and intimate care for every detail of His people's lives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 29:5 is a profound theological statement on God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign control over creation. It illustrates that God's provision is not limited to grand, dramatic events like the parting of the Red Sea or the giving of manna, but extends to the most mundane and continuous needs of His people. This sustained miracle underscores the theme of divine immanence—God's active and intimate presence with His people, caring for their physical well-being. It teaches that true dependence is not on human resources or ingenuity, but on the unwavering power and commitment of a faithful God. This truth challenges us to recognize God's hand in our daily lives, even in seemingly small details, and to trust in His comprehensive care.

* [Nehemiah 9:21](/nehemiah/9-21 "Nehemiah 9:21 - God's Enduring Wilderness Provision")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:5 offers profound lessons for believers today, inviting us to reflect on God's character and our own trust in His provision. Just as God supernaturally sustained the Israelites in the wilderness, providing for their most basic needs without human effort, so too does He promise to care for us in our "wilderness seasons" of life. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's faithfulness for our daily sustenance, knowing that if He cared for their clothes and shoes in an impossible environment, He will certainly care for our needs. It reminds us to look back at God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our personal experiences, allowing those memories to strengthen our faith for present challenges and future uncertainties. Furthermore, the attention God gives to such seemingly small details as clothing and footwear reveals His intimate and personal involvement in every aspect of our lives, teaching us that no concern is too trivial for His loving attention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's sustained, miraculous provision for the Israelites in the wilderness strengthen your trust in His care for your daily needs?**
* **In what "wilderness seasons" or challenging periods of your life do you need to actively rely on God for seemingly mundane or overlooked provisions?**
* **What does God's attention to details like clothing and shoes teach you about the depth and intimacy of His personal care for your life?**
* **How can you practice greater awareness of God's ongoing provision in your life, even in ways that seem ordinary or natural?**

### FAQ
**Was the preservation of clothes and shoes a literal miracle, or is it symbolic language?**

Answer: The biblical text presents this as a literal, continuous miracle. The language used, particularly the repeated "waxen old" (Hebrew _balah_), strongly suggests a supernatural suspension of natural decay. While the miracle certainly carries symbolic weight regarding God's comprehensive care, its primary presentation is as a factual, historical event that defied natural explanation. Other passages, like [Nehemiah 9:21](/nehemiah/9-21 "Nehemiah 9:21 - God's Sustained Provision"), corroborate this miraculous provision, indicating it was understood as a genuine act of God's power, not merely a metaphor. The point is that God actively intervened to prevent the normal wear and tear that would have rendered their clothing and footwear unusable, ensuring their physical well-being throughout their arduous journey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 29:5, with its depiction of God's miraculous and sustained provision for the Israelites' physical needs, powerfully foreshadows the comprehensive and eternal provision found in Jesus Christ. Just as God provided for their temporal journey through the wilderness, Christ provides for our spiritual journey through this life and into eternity. He is the ultimate "bread from heaven" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), sustaining us not with physical manna, but with Himself, the living Word. Moreover, the preservation of their clothes and shoes points to Christ's provision of spiritual "garments"—the robes of righteousness and salvation that cover our sin and make us presentable before God ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation"); [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Robes of the Redeemed")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus ensures that our spiritual "clothing" never wears out, granting us eternal life and an unblemished standing before God. He is the faithful leader who guides us through our own wilderness experiences, providing all that we need for life and godliness, culminating in the ultimate inheritance of the heavenly Promised Land ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Country")).

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.