Deuteronomy 9:26

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites immediately after his forty-day fast, following the LORD's declaration that He would destroy them. He intercedes on their behalf as the moment of impending judgment passes.

The words — The Hebrew verb וָ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל (va./'et.pa.Lel) translates literally as "and I prayed," while אַל\־ תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת ('al- tash.Chet) means "may not you destroy." These terms establish the prayer as a direct petition to halt divine destruction.

The thread — The plea resurfaces in Exodus 32:11 where Moses confronts God's burning anger, and the redemption motif connects to Exodus 15:13 and Titus 2:14. These passages consistently tie preservation to God's prior act of buying back His people.

Why it lands — The text records Moses appealing to God's own greatness and mighty hand rather than Israel's conduct. A reader must conclude that survival rests on divine covenant faithfulness, not human merit.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣לva./'et.pa.Leland/ I prayed אֶל־'el-to יְהוָה֮Yah.wehYahweh וָאֹמַר֒va./'o.Marand/ I said אֲדֹנָ֣י'a.do.NaiO Lord יְהוִ֗הYah.wehYahweh אַל־'al-may not תַּשְׁחֵ֤תtash.Chetyou destroy עַמְּךָ֙'a.me./Khapeople/ your וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ve./na.cha.La.te./khaand/ inheritance/ your אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich פָּדִ֖יתָpa.Di.tayou redeemed בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָbe./ga.de.Le./khaby/ greatness/ your אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-which הוֹצֵ֥אתָho.Tze.tayou brought out מִמִּצְרַ֖יִםmi./mitz.Ra.yimfrom/ Egypt בְּיָ֥דbe./Yadby/ a hand חֲזָקָֽה׃cha.za.Kahstrong

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Exodus 32:11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Exodus 15:13 With loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; with Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.
Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
Jeremiah 14:21 For the sake of Your name do not despise us; do not disgrace Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us; do not break it.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Exodus 34:9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
Numbers 14:13 But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them.
Deuteronomy 7:8 But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 9:29 But they are Your people, Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your great power and outstretched arm.”