And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

DEUTERONOMY 1:27KJV
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Deuteronomy 1:27 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 1:27 mean?

Deuteronomy 1:27 describes how the Israelites complained privately in their tents, accusing the LORD of bringing them out of Egypt because He hated them and wanted them to be destroyed by the Amorites. The verse shows the depth of their distrust and fear as they faced the challenges ahead.

In this verse, Moses is reminding the people of Israel about their reaction when they first heard they would have to enter the land of Canaan. Instead of trusting God, they grumbled in their homes and assumed the worst about His intentions. Their words reveal a reversal of the truth—they saw God's rescue from Egypt not as love, but as hatred, and expected disaster instead of blessing.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 1:27

  • "murmured" (רָגַן, rāgan): This word means to grumble or complain, often quietly or behind closed doors. It highlights that the Israelites’ distrust was not just public but also spread in private conversations.
  • "hated" (שָׂנֵא, śānē’): This word means to hate or be hostile toward. The Israelites accused God of having a hostile motive, which is a strong and striking accusation given all He had done for them.
  • "tents" (אֹהֶל, ’ōhel): Refers to their homes or dwelling places in the camp. The complaints happened in their private spaces, showing the grumbling was widespread and not just from a few outspoken individuals.
  • "deliver" (נָתַן, nātan): Here, it means "to give" or "hand over." The Israelites feared God would hand them over to their enemies, the Amorites, rather than protect them.

Why Deuteronomy 1:27 matters

  • This verse reveals how fear can distort memory and understanding, causing people to misinterpret even acts of kindness as threats.
  • It highlights a key theme in Deuteronomy: the importance of trusting God’s intentions, even when circumstances look difficult.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Israel’s wilderness journey, showing why that generation was not allowed to enter the Promised Land—they fundamentally misunderstood and distrusted God’s character.

Where else these words appear

“murmured” Hebrew H7279 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 106:25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

“hated” Hebrew H8135 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 35:20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
  • Psalms 109:5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
  • Proverbs 26:26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

“destroy” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.