The Meaning of Deuteronomy 29:16 Explained

Deuteronomy 29:16

KJV: (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;

YLT: for ye have known how ye dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we passed by through the midst of the nations which ye have passed by;

Darby: (for ye know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the nations which ye passed;

ASV: (for ye know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which ye passed;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

(For ye know  how we have dwelt  in the land  of Egypt;  and how we came  through  the nations  which ye passed by; 

What does Deuteronomy 29:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 29:14-29 - The Penalty Of Serving False Gods
Deuteronomy 29:15 clearly refers to the future generations, who were included in this solemn act. The word "gall," Deuteronomy 29:18, indicates the poisonous character of idolatry. The application of this passage to any man who falls short of the grace of God shows that the tendency to idolatry has its root in the apostasy of the heart, Hebrews 12:15.
We cannot say that religion is a matter of indifference; or, if we say it, we are destined to a terrible awakening. A man may say, "I shall have peace," etc., Deuteronomy 29:19, but there is no peace short of the peace of God, Isaiah 48:22; Romans 5:1-2.
With respect to Deuteronomy 29:24, the infidel Volney wrote of the present condition of Palestine: "Why is not the ancient population reproduced and perpetuated? God has doubtless pronounced a secret malediction against this land." This is one of His "secret things!" Compare Deuteronomy 29:29 with Romans 11:33. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 29

1  Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen
10  All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18  The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29  Secret things belong unto God

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 29:16 mean?

for you know - that we dwelt in the land of Egypt and we came through the nations which you passed by
כִּֽי־ אַתֶּ֣ם יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־ יָשַׁ֖בְנוּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֵ֧ת עָבַ֛רְנוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַרְתֶּֽם

יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם  know 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֵ֥ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲשֶׁר־  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יָשַׁ֖בְנוּ  we  dwelt 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ  in  the  land 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
מִצְרָ֑יִם  of  Egypt 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.
עָבַ֛רְנוּ  we  came 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: עָבַר 
Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.
בְּקֶ֥רֶב  through 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: קֶרֶב  
Sense: midst, among, inner part, middle.
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם  the  nations 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
עֲבַרְתֶּֽם  you  passed  by 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָבַר 
Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.