Deuteronomy 29

1. The covenant. This verse, in the Hebrew Bible, is the last verse (69) of ch. xxviii.

2. Ye have seen. Strictly speaking, this was only true of Caleb and Joshua; but the people of the different generations are regarded and spoken of as forming one unbroken community. See xi. 2, and note.

3 temptations. See iv. 34, and note.

4 the Lord hath not given you. As this is spoken reproachfully, it is evident that the withholding of God’s grace is attributed to the people’s neglect (see v. 29).

11 the hewer, etc. These were the lowest and most laborious services, which were generally performed by slaves (Josh. ix. 21-27).

15 him that is not here. The people of future generations.

18 lest. “Beware lest."—a root. That is, an unperceived cause. Gall is “poison.”

19 drunkenness to thirst. Heb., “to carry off the watered with the dry,” or thirsty; a proverbial expression meaning “all.” The reference is to herbage or plants (Drieer).

29 revealed. All that is necessary for our conduct God has clearly revealed. Moses concludes his prophecy of the Jews’ rejection in much the same manner as the Apostle Paul concludes his discourse on the same subject (Rom. xi. 33).