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 recalls how the LORD performed powerful and harsh signs and wonders against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his household, and that these events were witnessed directly by the people. The verse highlights that these acts were not distant stories but things the Israelites themselves saw with their own eyes.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of the dramatic miracles and judgments God brought upon Egypt during the Exodus, emphasizing that these were not just legends but real events experienced by the current generation. This reminder is meant to strengthen their trust in God’s power and faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 6:22

  • The word for "signs" is אוֹתֹת (’otot), which often refers to miraculous events that serve as evidence or proof of divine action. Here, it stresses that what happened in Egypt was meant to unmistakably show God’s involvement.
  • "Wonders" is מוֹפְתִּים (mofetim), a word for extraordinary or awe-inspiring acts. This term points to events that go beyond the ordinary, meant to capture attention and provoke amazement.
  • "Great" is גָּדֹל (gadol), meaning large or mighty. This word underlines the scale and seriousness of the miracles and judgments.
  • "Sore" is רַע (ra‘), which means evil, bad, or severe. In this context, it describes the harshness and severity of the plagues and judgments that fell on Egypt.

Why Deuteronomy 6:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Exodus miracles were not just for ancient ancestors but were witnessed by the very people Moses is addressing, making the events personal and immediate.
  • The use of both "signs" and "wonders" emphasizes that God’s actions were both meaningful and astonishing, not just random displays of power.
  • By recalling these events, Moses is connecting the Israelites’ present faith and obedience to their own lived experience of God’s deliverance, reinforcing the call to remember and trust in God’s past faithfulness.