And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:

DEUTERONOMY 6:22KJV
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Deuteronomy 6:22 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 6:22 mean?

Deuteronomy 6:22 describes the LORD’s actions against Egypt as part of Israel’s account of coming out of slavery. The “signs and wonders” were striking events that affected Egypt’s ruler and his household as well as the land.

Moses is giving the Israelites words to use when their children ask about the commands they have received. The phrase “before our eyes” places the speaker among those who saw these events. “Household” points to Pharaoh’s wider royal circle, not just his immediate family.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 6:22

  • “signs” — אוֹת (ot): A sign is a mark or indication. Here, the word presents the events as meaningful, rather than merely unusual.
  • “wonders” — מוֹפֵת (mofet): A wonder is a striking or remarkable event. The word draws attention to the extraordinary character of what happened in Egypt.
  • “sore” — רַע (raʿ): This word can describe something bad or harmful. In the KJV, “great and sore” portrays the events as both immense and severe for those affected.

Why Deuteronomy 6:22 matters

  • The account of Israel’s freedom includes a confrontation with its ruler. The words “upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household” show how broadly the events reached.
  • The answer given to the children is grounded in a remembered experience. “Before our eyes” makes the account a witness’s report, passed on in response to the question in verse 20.
  • The events have a place in a larger story of departure and arrival. Verse 23 continues by saying that the LORD brought Israel out in order to bring them into the land promised to their ancestors.

Where else these words appear

“wonders” Hebrew H4159 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
  • Deuteronomy 29:3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
  • Psalms 105:27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

“signs” Hebrew H226 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
  • Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.