Deuteronomy 9:27 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 9:27 mean?

Deuteronomy 9:27 is a plea to God, asking Him to remember His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not to judge the people harshly for their stubbornness, wickedness, or sin. The verse appeals to God’s faithfulness to the ancestors rather than the failures of the current generation.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to God on behalf of the Israelites after they have sinned. Moses reminds God of the covenant with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and asks God not to focus on the people’s stubbornness (their resistance to God), wickedness, or sin. The verse comes in the context of Moses interceding for Israel after the golden calf incident, highlighting both the seriousness of Israel’s actions and the hope found in God’s past promises.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 9:27

• "Remember" (זָכַר, zakar, H2142) means to call to mind or pay attention to. Moses is asking God to actively recall His relationship and promises to the patriarchs, not just to have a passing memory.
• "Stubbornness" (קֶשֶׁה, qesheh, H7190) refers to being hard-hearted or obstinate. This word emphasizes the deep resistance and rebellious attitude of the people, not just a single act of disobedience.
• "Wickedness" (רֶשַׁע, resha, H7562) and "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah, H2403) are both used, showing a range of wrongdoing from general evil behavior to specific acts of missing the mark. The pairing stresses the seriousness and variety of the people’s failures.

Why Deuteronomy 9:27 matters

• This verse shows that Moses bases his appeal on God’s faithfulness to His promises, not on the worthiness of the people, which is a key theme throughout the Bible.
• The verse clarifies that Israel’s relationship with God depends on His covenant with the patriarchs, not on their own merit or righteousness.
• Deuteronomy 9:27 helps explain why God continues to show mercy to Israel despite repeated failures, connecting the story to the larger narrative of God’s commitment to His people.