Deuteronomy 9:14

KJV

Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let me alone {H7503}, that I may destroy {H8045} them, and blot out {H4229} their name {H8034} from under heaven {H8064}: and I will make {H6213} of {H854} thee a nation {H1471} mightier {H6099} and greater {H7227} than they.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let me alone, so that I can put an end to them and blot out their name from under heaven! I will make out of you a nation bigger and stronger than they.'

Berean Standard Bible

Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they are.”

American Standard Version

let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 9:14 captures a moment of intense divine judgment and a pivotal offer during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Following their egregious sin of worshipping the golden calf at Mount Horeb, God expresses His profound anger to Moses, declaring His intention to utterly destroy the rebellious nation and "blot out their name from under heaven." Simultaneously, He presents Moses with an extraordinary proposition: to become the progenitor of a new nation, "mightier and greater" than the one He intended to obliterate. This declaration underscores the severe consequences of covenant infidelity and sets the dramatic stage for Moses' profound intercession, which ultimately averts divine judgment and preserves the chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent verse is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered as they stand on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Moses is meticulously recounting Israel's tumultuous history, particularly emphasizing their persistent rebellion and God's unwavering faithfulness despite their failures. In [Deuteronomy 9:7](/deuteronomy/9-7 "Deuteronomy 9:7 - Remember How You Provoked the Lord"), Moses pointedly reminds them of their most grievous sin at Horeb (Mount Sinai), where they immediately broke the covenant by fashioning and worshipping the golden calf, even after receiving the Law directly from God. [Deuteronomy 9:18-20](/deuteronomy/9-18-20 "Deuteronomy 9:18-20 - Moses' Intercession for Israel") records God's direct declaration to Moses in the immediate aftermath of this profound idolatry, serving as a stark prelude to Moses' fervent intercession detailed in Deuteronomy 9:18-20. It functions as a powerful historical precedent, reminding the new generation of the severity of past disobedience and the precariousness of their existence, thereby underscoring the absolute necessity of obedience as they prepare to inherit the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events recounted in [Deuteronomy 9](/deuteronomy/9 "Deuteronomy 9 - Israel's Rebellion at Horeb") occurred shortly after the momentous Exodus from Egypt and the solemn giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (Horeb). The golden calf incident, detailed in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"), represented a profound act of apostasy, a direct and immediate violation of the first two commandments received directly from God's own voice. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a "name" (Hebrew: *shêm*) was far more than a mere appellation; it embodied a person's identity, reputation, legacy, and even their very existence or essence. To "blot out their name from under heaven" (a phrase echoing ancient curses and damnatio memoriae) was a potent expression of total annihilation, ensuring no descendant, memory, or trace of their existence would remain. This was a common form of severe judgment against enemies or those who committed egregious offenses against a deity or king. The divine offer to make a new nation through Moses also resonates with the patriarchal promises, particularly the [Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Abrahamic Covenant"), demonstrating God's sovereign right to fulfill His promises through whomever He chooses, even if it meant bypassing a rebellious generation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It vividly highlights the theme of **Divine Wrath and Justice**, demonstrating God's absolute holiness and His fierce intolerance for sin, especially covenant infidelity. The severity of the threatened judgment underscores the **Gravity of Sin** and the profound consequences of rebellion against a holy God. Simultaneously, it sets the dramatic stage for the crucial theme of **Intercession**, showcasing Moses' unique and indispensable role as a mediator who "stood in the breach" for his people, as famously recounted in [Psalm 106:23](/psalms/106-23 "Psalm 106:23 - Moses Stands in the Breach"). The conditional offer to Moses also touches upon the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness** – illustrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful, and His sovereign ability to fulfill those promises through alternative means if necessary. Ultimately, the passage emphasizes God's **Sovereignty** and His unshakeable commitment to His redemptive plan, even amidst profound human failure.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Let me alone (Hebrew, _râphâh'_):** This imperative verb (H7503), often translated as "desist" or "refrain," is a powerful rhetorical device. It does not imply that Moses was physically restraining God, but rather that God was acknowledging Moses' presence and potential intercession, inviting him to step aside so that divine wrath could be fully executed. It highlights the intensity of God's anger and the real, imminent threat of destruction, while simultaneously setting the stage for Moses' pivotal role as an intercessor. The root meaning of "to slacken" or "to let go" underscores the idea of God's restraint being released.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâmad'_):** This primitive root (H8045) signifies to desolate, bring to nought, overthrow, or utterly perish. It denotes a comprehensive and final eradication. When applied to a people, as here, it implies their total annihilation, leaving no survivors and bringing their existence to a definitive end.
* **blot out (Hebrew, _mâchâh'_):** This primitive root (H4229) means to stroke or rub, and by implication, to erase or wipe away. It is often used for erasing an inscription from a tablet or a mark from a scroll. In this context, combined with "name," it signifies the complete eradication of memory, identity, and future existence.
* **nation (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This noun (H1471) refers to a foreign nation or Gentile, but can also denote a people or troop. Here, it refers to the people of Israel whom God threatens to destroy, and then to the new people He offers to make from Moses. Its usage highlights God's sovereign power to establish or disestablish peoples according to His will and covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let me alone":** This opening command from God to Moses immediately reveals the profound intensity of God's righteous anger and His readiness to act decisively against Israel's idolatry. It also subtly acknowledges Moses' unique position as an intercessor, implying that Moses' presence or potential plea was the only thing holding back God's immediate and total judgment. It is a divine challenge, inviting Moses to consider the gravity of the situation.
* **"that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven":** This clause articulates the full scope of God's proposed judgment. "Destroy them" signifies physical annihilation, while "blot out their name from under heaven" goes further, implying a complete and utter erasure of their identity, memory, and legacy as a distinct people. This was the ultimate curse in the ancient world, threatening the very existence of the nation chosen by God to bear His name and promises. It signifies a complete severance of their covenant relationship and historical continuity.
* **"and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they":** This is God's astonishing alternative proposition to Moses. It serves as both a profound test of Moses' character and a powerful demonstration of God's sovereign power to fulfill His covenant promises (e.g., to Abraham regarding a great nation) through a new lineage, bypassing the currently rebellious generation. This offer highlights Moses' unique standing before God and the profound implications of his response, emphasizing that God's plan would prevail even if the current generation failed.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 9:14 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its weighty message. **Anthropomorphism** is strikingly evident as God is depicted with human-like emotions and intentions, expressing intense anger ("Let me alone") and a desire to destroy. This conveys the depth of His righteous indignation against Israel's profound sin. The phrase "blot out their name from under heaven" is a powerful **Metaphor** for complete annihilation, drawing on the ancient practice of erasing inscriptions to signify utter destruction and the eradication of memory and legacy. This also functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the totality and severity of the threatened judgment, underscoring the extreme nature of Israel's offense. The verse presents an implied **Conditional Clause** (suggested by "Let me alone, that I may...") where God's action is contingent on Moses' non-intervention, thereby setting the dramatic stage for Moses' crucial intercession. Finally, there is a strong **Contrast** presented: Israel's profound unfaithfulness and threatened destruction are set against God's proposed faithfulness to Moses, highlighting the gravity of covenant breaking and the unique, indispensable position of the mediator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 9:14 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute holiness, unyielding justice, and the terrifying gravity of sin. It unequivocally underscores that God's covenant with Israel, while rooted in grace, was not unconditional in terms of their obedience, and their rebellion could indeed provoke divine wrath to the point of threatened annihilation. Yet, in this moment of severe judgment, the verse brilliantly sets the stage for the overarching theme of divine mercy mediated through faithful intercession. God's astonishing offer to Moses, while serving as a test of his character and loyalty, also powerfully demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His overarching redemptive plan and His sovereign ability to fulfill His promises through alternative means if necessary. The passage highlights the profound tension between God's righteous anger against sin and His steadfast covenant faithfulness, a tension ultimately resolved through Moses' selfless and passionate plea, which profoundly foreshadows the greater intercessor to come.

* [Exodus 32:7-14](/exodus/32-7-14 "Exodus 32:7-14 - The Golden Calf and Moses' Intercession")
* [Numbers 14:11-20](/numbers/14-11-20 "Numbers 14:11-20 - God's Anger and Moses' Intercession after Kadesh Barnea")
* [Psalm 106:23](/psalms/106-23 "Psalm 106:23 - Moses Stands in the Breach")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 9:14 serves as a stark and enduring reminder of the profound gravity of human sin and the unblemished holiness of God. It challenges any superficial understanding of grace or the presumption upon God's boundless patience. Israel's immediate turning to idolatry after receiving the very Law from God at Sinai reveals the deep-seated human propensity for rebellion and the inherent fragility of even a divinely established covenant when human faithfulness falters. For believers today, this passage calls for a profound humility, compelling us to recognize that our standing before God is never based on our inherent righteousness or merit, but solely on His sovereign grace and unwavering covenant faithfulness, ultimately expressed in Christ. It also powerfully illustrates the transformative impact of intercessory prayer. Moses' willingness to stand in the gap for a rebellious people, even when offered personal glory and the chance to be the progenitor of a new nation, exemplifies true spiritual leadership, selfless compassion, and profound identification with his people. We are called to cultivate a similar heart of intercession for our communities, for the Church, and for those who stray, remembering that God, though perfectly just, is also infinitely merciful and profoundly responsive to the fervent prayers of the righteous.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's patience and justice in the face of human rebellion and covenant infidelity?**
* **What does Moses' selfless response to God's astonishing offer teach us about true spiritual leadership and the profound power of intercessory prayer?**
* **In what ways might we, like ancient Israel, be prone to forget God's past faithfulness and fall into spiritual complacency, idolatry, or a presumption of grace in our own lives?**

### FAQ
**Why did God say "Let me alone" if Moses was already interceding or about to intercede?**

Answer: God's command "Let me alone" (Hebrew: הֶרֶף, _râphâh'_) is not an indication that Moses was physically restraining God, but rather a powerful rhetorical device. It serves to highlight the profound intensity of God's righteous anger against Israel's egregious sin and the real, imminent threat of their destruction. By saying "Let me alone," God was essentially acknowledging Moses' presence and his potential, or already ongoing, intercession, inviting him to step aside so that divine wrath could be fully executed. It underscores the severity of the situation and the depth of God's displeasure, while simultaneously setting the stage for Moses' crucial role as the mediator. It's a divine challenge, testing Moses' character and commitment to his people, and ultimately demonstrating the profound impact of his intercession as recorded in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses Pleads for Israel") and [Deuteronomy 9:18-20](/deuteronomy/9-18-20 "Deuteronomy 9:18-20 - Moses' Prayer for the People").

**Was God truly going to destroy Israel and start over with Moses?**

Answer: This is a complex theological question that touches on divine sovereignty, human freedom, and the nature of prophetic declaration. While God's words express genuine wrath and a real, severe threat, they also function as a profound test for Moses and a demonstration of God's justice. The threat to "blot out their name" was a real and deserved consequence of their covenant breaking. However, God, in His omniscience, knew Moses would intercede, and He had already established an unconditional covenant with Abraham that promised a great nation. God's declaration highlights the seriousness of their sin and His absolute freedom to fulfill His promises in new ways if necessary. Ultimately, Moses' intercession was pivotal in averting the immediate judgment, demonstrating God's responsiveness to prayer and His long-suffering nature. It shows that while God's justice demands a response to sin, His mercy can prevail through the mediation of a faithful intercessor, allowing His covenant promises to continue through the existing lineage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 9:14, though detailing God's righteous anger against sin and the desperate need for a mediator, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect intercession of Jesus Christ. Moses, standing in the breach for a rebellious Israel, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as God threatened to "blot out their name" due to their profound sin, humanity's sin truly merited complete destruction and eternal separation from God. However, unlike Moses, who could only delay judgment through his plea, Jesus fully absorbed and satisfied divine wrath. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the curse that we justly deserved ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Furthermore, the astonishing offer to make a "mightier and greater nation" through Moses finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment not in a new physical lineage, but in Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise Made to Abraham and His Seed, Christ")), through whom all nations are blessed and gathered into a spiritual family. Believers, united with Christ by faith, become part of a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), a spiritual Israel that is indeed mightier and greater, not in earthly power, but in its eternal covenant with God. Christ's intercession is not temporary but eternal, as He "always lives to make intercession" for those who draw near to God through Him ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), ensuring that the "name" of His redeemed ones will never be blotted out from under heaven, but rather eternally written in the Lamb's Book of Life ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Nothing Unclean Will Enter")).

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

Exodus 32:10

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Exodus 32:13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Psalms 9:5

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

Luke 11:7

And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

Luke 11:10

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Psalms 109:13

Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.