(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)

DEUTERONOMY 1:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 1:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 1:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 1:11 is a blessing spoken over the Israelites, asking that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, would multiply them a thousand times and fulfill His promise to bless them. The verse expresses a wish for God’s abundant increase and faithfulness to His word.

Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. He pauses to express a heartfelt desire that God would greatly increase their numbers and continue to bless them, just as He had promised to their forefathers. This verse highlights both God’s ability to bless beyond measure and Moses’ care for the people.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 1:11

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. Moses calls on this specific name to remind the people of God’s faithfulness to their ancestors.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This word points to God’s power and authority, underlining that the blessing comes from the one true, mighty God.
  • thousand (אֶלֶף, eleph) and times (פַּעַם, pa‘am): Together, these words stress the idea of multiplication far beyond what is ordinary, showing Moses’ desire for overwhelming increase.
  • bless (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to bestow favor or goodness. Moses is asking God not just to increase the people, but to actively do them good in every way.
  • promised (דָּבַר, dabar): This word means “spoken” or “promised,” pointing back to God’s earlier commitments to the patriarchs, and grounding the blessing in God’s trustworthy word.

Why Deuteronomy 1:11 matters

  • Deuteronomy 1:11 shows Moses’ deep concern for the people and his confidence in God’s promises, setting a tone of hope and expectation at the start of his speech.
  • The verse connects the current generation to the promises made to their ancestors, reminding them that God’s blessings are not just for the past but continue into their future.
  • By asking for a “thousand times” increase, Moses highlights the generosity and limitless power of God, encouraging the people to trust in God’s ability to provide beyond what they can imagine.