Deuteronomy 9:28
New International Version
Otherwise, the country from which you brought us will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to take them into the land he had promised them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.’

New Living Translation
If you destroy these people, the Egyptians will say, “The Israelites died because the LORD wasn’t able to bring them to the land he had promised to give them.” Or they might say, “He destroyed them because he hated them; he deliberately took them into the wilderness to slaughter them.”

English Standard Version
lest the land from which you brought us say, “Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.”

Berean Standard Bible
Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’

King James Bible
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

New King James Version
lest the land from which You brought us should say, “Because the LORD was not able to bring them to the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.”

New American Standard Bible
Otherwise, the people of the land from which You brought us will say, “Since the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He had promised them, and since He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness!”

NASB 1995
‘Otherwise the land from which You brought us may say, “Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He had promised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.”

NASB 1977
‘Otherwise the land from which Thou didst bring us may say, “Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He had promised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.”

Legacy Standard Bible
lest the land from which You brought us say, “Because Yahweh was not able to bring them into the land which He had promised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.”

Amplified Bible
so that the [people of the] land from which You brought us will not say, “Because the LORD was not capable of bringing them into the land which He had promised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to the wilderness [in order] to kill them.”

Christian Standard Bible
Otherwise, those in the land you brought us from will say, ‘Because the LORD wasn’t able to bring them into the land he had promised them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Otherwise, those in the land you brought us from will say, ‘Because the LORD wasn’t able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’

American Standard Version
lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because Jehovah was not able to bring them into the land which he promised unto them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Contemporary English Version
If you destroy your people, the Egyptians will say, "The LORD promised to give Israel land, but he wasn't powerful enough to keep his promise. In fact, he hated them so much that he took them into the desert and killed them."

English Revised Version
lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised unto them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Otherwise, the country we left will say, "The LORD wasn't able to bring them to the land he promised them. He hated them. That's why he brought them out-to let them die in the desert."

Good News Translation
Otherwise, the Egyptians will say that you were unable to take your people into the land that you had promised them. They will say that you took your people out into the desert to kill them, because you hated them.

International Standard Version
Otherwise, the people of the land from which you brought us will say, "The LORD wasn't able to bring them out of the land that he had promised them. So he brought them out to kill them in the desert because he hated them."

Majority Standard Bible
Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ?Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.?

NET Bible
Otherwise the people of the land from which you brought us will say, "The LORD was unable to bring them to the land he promised them, and because of his hatred for them he has brought them out to kill them in the desert."

New Heart English Bible
lest the land you brought us out from say, 'Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised to them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Lest the land from which thou hast brought us should say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

World English Bible
lest the land you brought us out from say, ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring them into the land which he promised to them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
lest the land from which You have brought us out says, Because of YHWH’s want of ability to bring them into the land of which He has spoken to them, and because of His hating them, He brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.

Young's Literal Translation
lest the land say from which Thou hast brought us out, Because of Jehovah's want of ability to bring them in unto the land of which He hath spoken to them, and because of His hating them, He brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness;

Smith's Literal Translation
Lest they of the land where thou broughtest us from there shall say, For Jehovah was not able to bring them in to the land which he spake to them; and for his hating them he brought them out to destroy them in the desert.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lest perhaps the inhabitants of the land, out of which thou hast brought us, say: The Lord could not bring them into the land that he promised them, and he hated them: therefore he brought them out, that he might kill them in the wilderness,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Otherwise, perhaps the inhabitants of the land, out of which you have led us, may say: “The Lord was not able to lead them into the land, which he promised to them. And he hated them; therefore, he led them out, so that he might put them to death in the wilderness.”

New American Bible
lest the land from which you have brought us say, “The LORD was not able to bring them into the land he promised them, and out of hatred for them, he brought them out to let them die in the wilderness.”

New Revised Standard Version
otherwise the land from which you have brought us might say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to let them die in the wilderness.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lest the inhabitants of the land out of which thou didst bring them say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Lest the inhabitants of this land from which you brought them out will say, ‘Because LORD JEHOVAH was not able in power to bring them into the land of which He told them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
lest the land whence Thou broughtest us out say: Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He promised unto them, and because He hated them, He hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lest the inhabitants of the land whence thou broughtest us out speak, saying, Because the Lord could not bring them into the land of which he spoke to them, and because he hated them, has he brought them forth to slay them in the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Golden Calf
27Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people and the wickedness of their sin. 28Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ 29But they are Your people, Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your great power and outstretched arm.”…

Cross References
Exodus 32:12
Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.

Numbers 14:13-16
But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ...

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Isaiah 48:9-11
For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off. / See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. / For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.

Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

2 Kings 19:19
And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

1 Kings 8:51-53
For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron. / May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You. / For You, O Lord GOD, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”

Nehemiah 9:10
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

Joshua 7:9
When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

2 Samuel 7:23
And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.

Isaiah 37:20
And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

Jeremiah 14:7
Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.

Romans 2:24
As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.


Treasury of Scripture

Lest the land from where you brought us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

the land

Genesis 41:57
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Exodus 6:6-8
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: …

1 Samuel 14:25
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

Because

Deuteronomy 32:26,27
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: …

Exodus 32:12
Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

Numbers 14:15,16
Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, …

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Deuteronomy 9
1. Moses dissuades them from the opinion of their own righteousness
7. Moses reminds them of the golden calf














Otherwise
This word serves as a transition, indicating a potential consequence or alternative scenario. In the Hebrew text, it is often implied rather than explicitly stated, but the context suggests a warning. Moses is interceding for Israel, highlighting the importance of God's reputation among the nations. The use of "otherwise" underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential misunderstanding of God's character by other nations.

those in the land from which You brought us
This phrase refers to the Egyptians, from whose bondage the Israelites were delivered. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and influential civilization, and their perception of Israel's God was significant. The deliverance from Egypt was a pivotal event, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. The phrase emphasizes the importance of God's actions being understood correctly by those who witnessed His mighty works.

will say
The concern here is about the testimony and witness of God's actions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the reputation of a deity was often tied to the success and prosperity of its people. The phrase "will say" indicates the potential for misinterpretation and gossip among the nations, which could lead to a tarnished view of God's power and intentions.

Because the LORD was not able
This phrase challenges the omnipotence of God. In Hebrew, the word for "able" (יָכֹל, yakhol) implies capability and strength. The suggestion that the LORD was not able to fulfill His promise would be a direct affront to His nature as the all-powerful Creator. This reflects the human tendency to doubt divine power in the face of adversity.

to bring them into the land He had promised them
The Promised Land is central to the covenant between God and Israel. The phrase highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. Historically, the land of Canaan was a tangible symbol of God's covenantal relationship with His people. The failure to enter the land would imply a breach of promise, which Moses argues would misrepresent God's faithfulness.

and because He hated them
This phrase suggests a complete misunderstanding of God's nature. In Hebrew, the word for "hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane) is strong, indicating intense dislike or enmity. The accusation that God hated His people contradicts the entire narrative of divine love and election. Moses uses this hypothetical accusation to appeal to God's love and mercy, which are foundational to His relationship with Israel.

He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness
This statement reflects a common fear and complaint among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The wilderness, a place of testing and dependence on God, was often seen as a place of danger and death. The phrase underscores the tension between faith and doubt, and Moses uses it to remind God of His purpose and promise to bring life and blessing, not death and destruction.

Verse 28. - The land, that is, the people of the land, as in Genesis 41:36 - the Egyptians; the verb, accordingly, is in the plural. Were the Israelites to perish in the wilderness, the Egyptians might say that God had destroyed them, either because he was unable to obtain for them the land he had promised them, or because he had ceased to regard them with favor, and had become their enemy. Neither of these could be, for were they not the people of his inheritance, and had he not showed his power already in delivering them out of Egypt? As Moses in this chapter recalls to the remembrance of Israel this and that place, time, and occasion of their sinning, so should each one often seriously reflect on his past life. This conduces to humility, to watchfulness, and to effort at improvement (Herxheimer).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Otherwise,
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

those in the land
הָאָרֶץ֮ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

from which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you brought us out
הוֹצֵאתָ֣נוּ (hō·w·ṣê·ṯā·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

will say,
יֹאמְר֗וּ (yō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Because the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was not
מִבְּלִי֙ (mib·bə·lî)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

able
יְכֹ֣לֶת (yə·ḵō·leṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to bring
לַהֲבִיאָ֕ם (la·hă·ḇî·’ām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the land
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

He had promised them,
דִּבֶּ֣ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

and because He hated
וּמִשִּׂנְאָת֣וֹ (ū·miś·śin·’ā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8135: Hating, hatred

them,
אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

He has brought them out
הוֹצִיאָ֖ם (hō·w·ṣî·’ām)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to kill them
לַהֲמִתָ֥ם (la·hă·mi·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in the wilderness.’
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 9:28 Lest the land whence you brought us (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 9:27
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