Deuteronomy 9:26

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

I prayed {H6419} therefore unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, O Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, destroy {H7843} not thy people {H5971} and thine inheritance {H5159}, which thou hast redeemed {H6299} through thy greatness {H1433}, which thou hast brought forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714} with a mighty {H2389} hand {H3027}.

I prayed to ADONAI ; I said, 'Adonai ELOHIM! Don't destroy your people, your inheritance! You redeemed them through your greatness, you brought them out of Egypt with a strong hand!

And I prayed to the LORD and said, β€œO Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You redeemed through Your greatness and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

And I prayed unto Jehovah, and said, O Lord Jehovah, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, that thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, that thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:26 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 9:26 captures a poignant moment of intercession by Moses on behalf of the Israelites. This verse is part of Moses' address to the new generation, where he recounts Israel's history of rebellion and God's faithfulness, particularly focusing on the sin of the golden calf at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses reminds them not of their righteousness, but of God's enduring covenant and power.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is a flashback to Moses' fervent prayer immediately following the Israelites' egregious sin of worshipping the golden calf, detailed in Exodus 32. After God declared His intention to destroy the rebellious people, Moses positioned himself between God's wrath and Israel's sin. His prayer here is a powerful example of an intercessor appealing to God's character and past actions rather than the people's merit. It underscores the gravity of their sin and the immense grace extended through Moses' mediation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Ownership and Covenant: Moses appeals to God based on His prior relationship with Israel, referring to them as "thy people and thine inheritance." This highlights the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and later at Sinai, establishing Israel as His chosen possession (Exodus 19:5).
  • God's Redemptive Power: The prayer reminds God of His mighty acts, specifically that He "redeemed through thy greatness" and "brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand." This refers to the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, a foundational event in Israel's history and a testament to God's unparalleled power.
  • The Power of Intercession: Moses' prayer is a supreme example of intercessory prayer. He doesn't excuse the people's sin but appeals to God's glory, reputation, and past faithfulness as reasons for mercy. This act of standing in the gap for a sinful nation foreshadows the ultimate intercession of Christ (Romans 8:34).
  • God's Faithfulness Despite Unfaithfulness: Despite Israel's repeated rebellion, God's character remains steadfast. Moses' plea implicitly trusts in God's faithfulness to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Lord GOD" in this verse translates the Hebrew combination Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•Φ΄Χ”). Adonai emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and mastership, while Yahweh (often rendered LORD in all caps in KJV) is God's personal covenant name, signifying His self-existence and faithfulness. The term "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah) signifies not just property, but a special possession or portion received by right, underscoring God's deep and personal claim over Israel. "Redeemed" (Hebrew: padah) implies a powerful act of deliverance, often from bondage or danger, at a cost or through a mighty display of power.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 9:26 offers profound lessons for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Engage in Intercessory Prayer: Like Moses, we are called to pray for others, especially for those who struggle or stray. Our prayers can appeal to God's character, His past mercies, and His ultimate redemptive plan in Christ.
  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: When facing challenges or discouragement, remembering God's mighty acts of deliverance and redemption in the past – both in biblical history and in our personal lives – can strengthen our faith and fuel our prayers.
  • Understand Our Identity in Christ: For Christians, this verse resonates deeply with our identity as God's "redeemed people" and "inheritance" through the greater redemption offered by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:14). We are His not because of our merit, but because of His great love and power.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 32:11

    And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

  • 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.

  • Exodus 15:13

    Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

  • Jeremiah 14:21

    Do not abhor [us], for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Psalms 107:2

    Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
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