But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

DEUTERONOMY 4:20KJV
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Deuteronomy 4:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 4:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 4:20 says that God chose the Israelites and rescued them from Egypt, described as an “iron furnace,” so that they would belong to Him as a special people, just as they do at the time Moses is speaking. The verse highlights both God’s act of deliverance and the purpose: to make Israel His own treasured possession.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them that their escape from Egypt was not just about freedom from slavery, but about becoming God’s chosen people. The phrase “iron furnace” paints Egypt as a place of severe hardship and testing, emphasizing how difficult their situation was before God intervened.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 4:20

  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used throughout the Old Testament, stressing a direct and covenant relationship with Israel.
  • “Iron” (בַּרְזֶל, barzel) and “furnace” (כּוּר, kur): Together, these words describe Egypt as a place of intense suffering and refining, like metal being purified in fire. This image helps the reader understand the depth of Israel’s oppression and the significance of their deliverance.
  • “People” (עַם, am): This word means a group bound together, often by kinship or purpose. Here, it stresses that Israel is not just a random collection of individuals, but a unified group chosen by God.
  • “Inheritance” (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This term often refers to a special possession or heritage. In this verse, it means Israel is set apart as God’s own valued possession, not just freed slaves.

Why Deuteronomy 4:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was about more than escape; it was about being set apart for a unique relationship with God.
  • The “iron furnace” image helps readers grasp how severe Israel’s suffering was, making God’s rescue even more meaningful.
  • Deuteronomy 4:20 connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy of remembering God’s past acts as the foundation for Israel’s identity and obedience.

Where else these words appear

“furnace” Hebrew H3564 · used in 9 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:51 For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:
  • Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
  • Ezekiel 22:18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 1 Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
  • Psalms 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.