Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 9:28
Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses God during intercession for Israel, pleading for mercy after the people's rebellion. He argues that destroying the nation would damage God’s reputation among the surrounding peoples who witnessed the Exodus.
The words — The conjunction פֶּן (pen) means “lest,” framing the following clause as a feared consequence. The phrase מִבְּלִי יְכֹלֶת (mi-b’lelet) literally renders “without ability,” specifying the exact limitation Moses fears the nations will attribute to God.
The thread — This fear of foreign mockery appears in Numbers 14:16, where the same charge of divine inability is recorded. Exodus 32:12 echoes the concern by citing the Egyptians’ claim that God brought Israel out with evil intent to destroy them.
Why it lands — The text records Moses’ argument that God’s faithfulness must be defended against external accusations of weakness or malice. It requires a reader to recognize that intercession often hinges on protecting God’s name rather than merely securing human welfare.
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
King James Version
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Cross-references
- Numbers 14:16 ‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’
- Exodus 32:12 Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.