Deuteronomy 29:16

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

(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};

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

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

(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

Context

Deuteronomy 29:16 is spoken by Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab, just before they are about to enter the Promised Land. This chapter, along with chapter 30, forms a solemn renewal of the covenant God made with Israel at Horeb (Mount Sinai). Moses is addressing a new generation, as many of those who left Egypt had perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience. He reminds them of God's faithfulness throughout their journey and, crucially, warns them against the spiritual dangers that lie ahead. Verse 16 specifically recalls the pagan practices and idolatry of the nations they had encountered and conquered, setting the stage for a strong admonition against apostasy and turning away from the living God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Reality and Futility of Idolatry: The verse explicitly describes the "abominations" and "idols" of the surrounding nations, specifying their materials: "wood and stone, silver and gold." This highlights that these false gods were man-made, lifeless objects, utterly powerless compared to the omnipotent God of Israel. It underscores the profound foolishness of worshipping created things rather than the Creator.
  • Witnessed Corruption and Warning: Israel had direct experience and "seen their abominations." This first-hand exposure to the detestable practices, immoral rituals, and spiritual emptiness associated with pagan worship served as a powerful warning. Moses uses this shared experience to impress upon them the dangers of adopting such practices, which were an affront to God's holiness.
  • Call to Exclusive Allegiance: By reminding them of the idols they had seen, Moses implicitly reinforces the core principle of the Mosaic Covenant: Israel's exclusive devotion to Yahweh. This verse sets the stage for the warnings against a divided heart, emphasizing that God tolerates no rivals for His people's worship, echoing the first commandment to have no other gods.

Linguistic Insights

The term "abominations" (Hebrew: to'ebah or shiqquts) often refers to practices that are morally repugnant or religiously detestable to God, particularly in the context of idolatry, sexual immorality, or unjust deeds. The word "idols" (Hebrew: gillulim) is often used pejoratively, sometimes translated as "dung-gods" or "worthless things," emphasizing their utter vanity and impotence. The description of their materials – "wood and stone, silver and gold" – further underscores their man-made nature and lack of inherent power, contrasting sharply with the living, active God of Israel who delivered them from Egypt.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 29:16 serves as a timeless reminder of the insidious nature of idolatry. While we may not bow down to physical statues of "wood and stone," modern idols can take many forms: anything that replaces God as the ultimate object of our devotion, trust, or pursuit. This could include money, career, possessions, relationships, power, or even self-indulgence.

  • Spiritual Discernment: We are called to recognize and reject the "abominations" of our contemporary culture—values, practices, or philosophies that subtly or overtly contradict God's Word and seek to draw our hearts away from Him.
  • Unwavering Allegiance: This verse reinforces the need for undivided loyalty to God. Our worship, trust, and ultimate allegiance must be solely directed toward the Lord, acknowledging Him as the one true source of life, meaning, and salvation.
  • Learning from History: Just as Israel was warned by the idolatry they had witnessed, we can learn from the spiritual pitfalls of past generations and other societies. Vigilance against anything that attempts to usurp God's supreme position in our hearts is crucial for maintaining a vibrant and faithful relationship with Him.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 2:4 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.