Deuteronomy 9

1 this day. i.e., your wanderings are now at an end, and nothing remains for you but to “pass over” the Jordan, and take possession of the land.

8. Also. Rather, “even”; i.e., when you had just received His commands in the most solemn manner. The land of Canaan was a gift of pure grace to the Hebrews, and not in any sense a reward of any righteousness of their own.

18 as at the first. Or, “as formerly.” Much of this time, it appears from this, was spent in supplication. See Exod. xxxiv. 28, op. with xxxii. 30.

20. I prayed for Aaron. This circumstance, which is not mentioned in the original narrative, shows that Aaron’s official character as high-priest would not have screened him from the merited punishment.