Deuteronomy 6:22

And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:

And the LORD {H3068} shewed {H5414} signs {H226} and wonders {H4159}, great {H1419} and sore {H7451}, upon Egypt {H4714}, upon Pharaoh {H6547}, and upon all his household {H1004}, before our eyes {H5869}:

ADONAI worked great and terrible signs and wonders against Egypt, Pharaoh and all his household, before our very eyes.

Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household.

and Jehovah showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his house, before our eyes;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:22 is part of Moses' instruction to the Israelites on how they should teach their children about the statutes and judgments of the LORD. This verse specifically recalls the powerful and undeniable acts of God during the Exodus, serving as a foundational historical event for Israel's identity and faith.

Context

This verse is found within the famous "Shema" passage (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), where Moses passionately urges the new generation of Israelites to love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, and might. He emphasizes the importance of diligently teaching God's commands to their children (Deuteronomy 6:7). When future generations ask about the meaning of these laws, they are to recount God's redemptive history, starting with their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage. Verse 22 specifically highlights the nature and target of God's interventions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The verse underscores God's absolute power to intervene in human affairs, demonstrating His control over nations and rulers. The "signs and wonders, great and sore" were unmistakable proofs of His authority.
  • Miraculous Deliverance: It serves as a vivid reminder of Israel's redemption from slavery. God did not merely allow their escape; He actively and powerfully brought it about through supernatural means. This act of liberation is central to Israel's covenant relationship with God.
  • Witness and Testimony: The phrase "before our eyes" emphasizes that the generation being addressed had personally witnessed these events or were born shortly thereafter and lived with the immediate testimony. This personal experience or direct inheritance of testimony forms the basis for their faith and obedience. It also establishes a historical basis for the covenant made at Mount Sinai.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for "signs" ('otot) and "wonders" (mophetim) are significant. 'Otot refers to distinguishing marks or tokens, often serving as proof or confirmation of divine presence or message. Mophetim denotes extraordinary, awe-inspiring events that cause astonishment and serve as a warning or demonstration of power. When combined, as they are here, they describe events that are both evidential and miraculous, pointing unequivocally to God's hand. The phrase "great and sore" (Hebrew: gedolim v'ra'im) indicates the immense scale and severe impact of these judgments, particularly on Egypt, highlighting their devastating effect on Pharaoh and his household.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 6:22 reminds us of the importance of remembering and recounting God's faithfulness throughout history, and especially in our own lives. Just as the Israelites were to teach their children about God's mighty acts of deliverance, we are called to share our testimonies of God's grace and power. This verse encourages us to:

  • Reflect on God's Past Faithfulness: Recall instances where God has intervened powerfully in your life or in the history of His people.
  • Share Your Testimony: Be ready to tell future generations or those around you about the "signs and wonders" God has performed. This strengthens faith and glorifies God.
  • Trust God in Present Challenges: The God who delivered Israel from Egypt is the same God who is active and powerful today. His past acts serve as a foundation for trusting Him with current difficulties. God does not change.

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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 4:34 (4 votes)

    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 91:8 (3 votes)

    Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

  • Deuteronomy 7:19 (3 votes)

    The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.

  • Psalms 58:10 (3 votes)

    The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

  • Psalms 58:11 (3 votes)

    So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

  • Exodus 14:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Exodus 14:31 (2 votes)

    And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.