Deuteronomy 9:29

KJV

Yet they [are] thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet they are thy people {H5971} and thine inheritance {H5159}, which thou broughtest out {H3318} by thy mighty {H1419} power {H3581} and by thy stretched out {H5186} arm {H2220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But in fact they are your people, your inheritance, whom you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.'

Berean Standard Bible

But they are Your people, Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your great power and outstretched arm.”

American Standard Version

Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy great power and by thine outstretched arm.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 9:29 encapsulates Moses' fervent intercession on behalf of the rebellious Israelites, appealing to God's steadfast covenant faithfulness and His glorious, self-invested redemptive acts. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to God, and to Israel, that their identity as His chosen "people and inheritance" is rooted not in their merit but in His sovereign choice and the overwhelming "mighty power" by which He delivered them from Egyptian bondage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse forms the climactic conclusion of Moses' impassioned and desperate intercession for the nation of Israel, following their egregious sin of worshipping the golden calf. Moses has just recounted God's righteous anger, which was so provoked that He threatened to utterly destroy Israel and raise up a new nation from Moses' own lineage (as detailed in [Deuteronomy 9:14](/deuteronomy/9-14 "Deuteronomy 9:14 - God's Threat to Destroy Israel")). Moses' plea in this verse echoes and expands upon his earlier intercession recorded in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel"), highlighting his consistent role as a faithful mediator between a holy God and His perpetually wayward people. The entire ninth chapter of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/9 "Deuteronomy 9 - Israel's Rebellion and Moses' Intercession") serves as a stark and humbling reminder of Israel's unworthiness and God's enduring, undeserved grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this profound intercession is the wilderness, specifically the period immediately following the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The covenant between Yahweh and Israel had just been formally established, making Israel's swift and blatant breach of its terms through the golden calf idolatry a profound act of betrayal. In the ancient Near East, such a severe violation of a suzerain-vassal treaty would typically lead to the immediate and severe punishment of the vassal, often including the termination of the covenant. Moses' appeal, however, leverages the unique, divinely initiated relationship God had forged with Israel, referring to them as "thy people and thine inheritance." This concept of "inheritance" (Hebrew: _nachălâh_) carries significant weight, denoting a special, divinely chosen possession, often linked to land but here uniquely applied to the people themselves as God's cherished portion. The Exodus, God's foundational act of deliverance from Egypt, was the irrefutable proof of this unique relationship and God's exclusive claim over them, a truth consistently reiterated throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 6:6-7](/exodus/6-6-7 "Exodus 6:6-7 - God's Promise to Deliver Israel")).
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 9:29 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It profoundly emphasizes **God's Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating His enduring commitment to His promises despite Israel's profound and repeated disobedience. The phrases "thy people and thine inheritance" underscore the theme of **Divine Ownership and Redemption**, highlighting that Israel's very identity and belonging are rooted solely in God's deliberate choice and powerful act of liberation, rather than in any inherent merit or performance on their part. The repeated emphasis on God bringing them out "by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm" points to **God's Omnipotent Deliverance**, serving as a rhetorical reminder of the miraculous, irresistible, and unparalleled display of divine strength that secured their freedom. Finally, Moses' persistent and passionate prayer exemplifies **The Power of Intercession**, showcasing how one individual can stand in the gap for others, appealing to God's character and His immutable promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **People (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** (H5971) This term refers to a congregated unit, a community, or a nation. In this context, it specifically denotes Israel as God's chosen covenant community, set apart from all other nations. It emphasizes their collective identity and relationship with Yahweh, established through His sovereign election and covenant initiation.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** (H5159) Properly, this signifies something inherited, an heirloom, or a possession. When applied to Israel as God's "inheritance," it conveys the profound truth that they are God's special, cherished possession, acquired by Him through His gracious acts of redemption. It speaks to a unique, intimate, and exclusive relationship, highlighting their value in God's eyes not due to their merit, but His choice.
* **Broughtest Out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** (H3318) This primitive root means "to go out" or, causatively, "to bring out." In the context of the Exodus, it powerfully describes God's active, decisive, and initiating role in liberating Israel from Egyptian bondage. It highlights that their freedom was entirely a divine act, not a result of their own strength or efforts, forming the foundational basis for their identity as God's redeemed people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet they [are] thy people and thine inheritance":** This opening clause forms the theological core of Moses' intercession. It is a direct appeal to God's self-initiated relationship with Israel, reminding Him of the unique status He Himself bestowed upon them. "Thy people" refers to the covenant community, chosen and set apart by God. "Thine inheritance" further deepens this, portraying Israel as God's cherished possession, acquired through His gracious election and mighty redemptive acts. This identity, unearned by Israel, serves as the fundamental basis for Moses' plea for their preservation despite their profound unworthiness.
* **"which thou broughtest out":** This phrase immediately grounds Israel's identity in the historical reality of the Exodus. It emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and active role in their liberation, underscoring that their freedom from slavery was entirely His doing. This divine act of "bringing them out" is presented as the irrefutable foundation of their claim to be "thy people and thine inheritance," establishing the precedent for God's continued faithfulness.
* **"by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful reiteration and emphatic description of the supernatural and irresistible nature of the Exodus event. "Mighty power" (H1419 _gâdôwl_ and H3581 _kôach_) speaks to God's immense strength and vigor, while "stretched out arm" (H5186 _nâṭâh_ and H2220 _zᵉrôwaʻ_) is a vivid anthropomorphic idiom for God's direct, forceful, and decisive intervention. Moses appeals to God's own demonstrated character and past actions, implying that to destroy them now would not only contradict His covenant but also diminish the glory of that initial, magnificent display of divine power.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 9:29 is rich with literary devices that amplify its rhetorical and theological impact. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, vividly displayed in the phrase "stretched out arm," which attributes a human physical action to God to convey His powerful, direct, and intentional intervention in history. This imagery makes God's actions comprehensible and emphasizes His active presence. The verse also employs **Rhetorical Appeal**, as Moses is not providing new information to an omniscient God, but rather appealing to God's character, reputation, and established covenant commitments as the basis for mercy. This is a form of **Argumentation from Divine Precedent**, where God's past faithfulness and powerful acts are presented as compelling reasons for His continued faithfulness. Furthermore, the conjoined phrase "mighty power and stretched out arm" functions as a **Merism**, combining two related but distinct concepts to express a single, comprehensive idea—the totality of God's overwhelming strength and active, irresistible intervention. This repetition and emphasis underscore the divine, rather than human, agency in Israel's miraculous deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 9:29 profoundly articulates the core theological truth that Israel's identity, existence, and hope for preservation are rooted solely in God's sovereign choice and redemptive power, not in their own merit or obedience. Despite their profound failings and persistent rebellion, Moses appeals to God's covenant faithfulness and His self-invested glory in having delivered them. This highlights God's enduring commitment to His chosen people, demonstrating that His grace precedes, initiates, and sustains His relationship with humanity. The verse also underscores the profound efficacy and necessity of intercessory prayer, showing how a mediator can stand in the gap, appealing to God's character and past actions to avert divine judgment, reminding us that God is indeed moved by the earnest prayers of His servants.

* [Exodus 32:11](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")
* [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Promise to Deliver with a Stretched-Out Arm")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Church as God's Chosen People and Holy Nation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 9:29 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, powerfully reminding us that our standing before God is not predicated on our own righteousness, good works, or flawless performance, but entirely on His gracious initiative and powerful redemption. Just as God remained faithful to Israel despite their egregious and repeated failings, we can find immense comfort and assurance in His enduring faithfulness to us, His new covenant people, even when we stumble, falter, or outright fail. Our salvation, our cherished identity as His children, and our future inheritance are secured by His finished work on our behalf, not by our own perfection. This truth should cultivate a deep and abiding sense of humility, gratitude, and profound relief, freeing us from the crushing burden of attempting to earn His favor and allowing us to rest securely in His unmerited grace. Furthermore, Moses' courageous and persistent example powerfully models the indispensable importance of intercessory prayer. When we witness others struggling, straying, or falling short of God's glory, we are called to stand in the gap for them, appealing to God's unchanging character, His immutable promises, and His past acts of deliverance on their behalf. Remembering God's "mighty power and stretched out arm" in our own lives and throughout the grand narrative of biblical history can profoundly strengthen our faith, assuring us that He is eternally able to deliver us from any challenge, sin, or adversary.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that your identity as God's "people and inheritance" is based on His power, not your merit, impact your daily walk with Him and your sense of security?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to remember and trust in God's "mighty power and stretched out arm" to overcome fear, doubt, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles?**
* **Who in your life is God calling you to intercede for, appealing to His character and promises on their behalf, just as Moses did for Israel?**
* **How does Moses' persistent and passionate prayer encourage you to persevere in your own prayer life, even when circumstances appear dire or answers seem delayed?**

### FAQ
**Why does Moses "remind" God of His own actions and relationship with Israel? Does God forget?**

Answer: No, God does not forget, for He is omniscient and His memory is perfect. Moses' "reminder" is not an attempt to inform an all-knowing God of something He has overlooked. Rather, it serves as a profound rhetorical and theological appeal rooted in covenant theology. Moses is appealing to God's inherent character, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and His self-invested glory. By recalling God's past actions—specifically the powerful deliverance from Egypt and the establishment of Israel as "thy people and thine inheritance"—Moses is providing a basis for God to act consistently with His own nature, His revealed will, and His established promises. It is a form of covenantal argument, urging God to uphold His reputation among the nations (as also seen in [Exodus 32:12](/exodus/32-12 "Exodus 32:12 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation Among the Nations")) and to remain true to the unique relationship He Himself initiated. Ultimately, it is an act of deep faith, trusting that God's past faithfulness is the surest guarantee of His future mercies.

**What does it mean for Israel to be "thine inheritance"?**

Answer: The term "inheritance" (Hebrew: _nachălâh_) signifies a special, divinely chosen possession, portion, or heirloom. For Israel to be God's "inheritance" means they are His peculiar treasure, His cherished possession, acquired by Him through His mighty acts of redemption. This concept speaks to a deep, intimate, and exclusive relationship, emphasizing that Israel belongs uniquely to God. Just as a human receives an inheritance, God "received" Israel not by chance or by their merit, but by His deliberate sovereign choice and powerful action, setting them apart as His own. This underscores their unique status and immense value in God's eyes, not because of their inherent worth, but solely because of His sovereign election and covenant love, as powerfully articulated in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel as God's Holy People").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 9:29, with its profound emphasis on God's chosen "people," His cherished "inheritance," and His "mighty power" of deliverance, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "people" of Israel, chosen by God and delivered from Egyptian bondage by His "stretched out arm," serve as a powerful foreshadowing of the new covenant people of God—the Church—who are likewise chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (see [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ")) and redeemed by an even greater act of divine power. Just as ancient Israel was brought out of slavery in Egypt, believers in Christ are brought out of the dominion of darkness and miraculously transferred into the glorious kingdom of God's beloved Son (see [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness to Light")). The "mighty power and stretched out arm" that delivered Israel from Pharaoh is utterly surpassed by the incomparably great resurrection power of Christ, which delivered humanity from the ultimate bondage of sin and death (see [Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power for Believers")). Furthermore, Christ Himself is the ultimate and perfect intercessor, standing eternally in the gap for His people, not appealing to past acts alone, but to His own perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and His ongoing advocacy at the right hand of God (see [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). We, as believers, are not merely His people, but also His "inheritance" (see [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Believers as God's Inheritance")), purchased by His precious blood, demonstrating an even deeper, more personal, and eternally secure ownership than that of ancient Israel.

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

Nehemiah 1:10

Now these [are] thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

1 Kings 8:51

For they [be] thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:

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.

Deuteronomy 4:34

Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Psalms 95:7

¶ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Deuteronomy 4:20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.

Isaiah 63:19

We are [thine]: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.