Deuteronomy 6:22
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What's striking here is the phrase "great and grievous." It's not just that the plagues were amazing feats of power; they were actively terrible and disastrous for the Egyptians, underscoring that God's intervention was a display of His judgment on oppression, not merely a spectacle for the Israelites to behold. This wasn't a magic show; it was a divine rescue fueled by righteous anger against injustice, witnessed firsthand by those God was freeing.
And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is reminding the Israelites that the Law God gave them wasn't just a set of arbitrary rules, but a response to His powerful deliverance of them from slavery. He recalls the devastating plagues poured out on Egypt, emphasizing these were public spectacles designed to show God's might and faithfulness to His people. This extraordinary act of redemption is presented as the foundational reason why they should readily obey all that follows.
Ever felt like God's intervention is just a nice story? This verse reminds us that God's actions can be dramatic, undeniable, and deeply impactful.
The ten plagues against Egypt weren't just random events; they were 'signs and wonders,' meaning they pointed to God's power and were acts that amazed.
A Public Spectacle
These weren't hidden miracles. They were 'great and grievous'—intense and distressing—and performed 'before our eyes.' This emphasizes the public, undeniable nature of God's judgment on Egypt and His deliverance of Israel. It was a divine drama meant to be seen and remembered.
Purpose Beyond Plagues
While the plagues brought destruction to Egypt, they served a profound purpose for Israel: to instill awe and remembrance. They were a testament to who God is and what He could do for His people, laying the groundwork for future obedience.
The word 'grievous' isn't usually associated with God's goodness. What does this intense description tell us about His character and His dealings with sin?
The plagues were not mild inconveniences. The term 'grievous' (or 'sore' in some translations) points to the severity and painfulness of these divine acts against Egypt.
Divine Justice in Action
These were not arbitrary punishments. They were judgments against a stubborn Pharaoh and a nation that had oppressed God's people and defied Him. God's holiness and justice demand a response to sin and rebellion, and sometimes that response is severe.
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A Foundation for Freedom
The 'grievous' nature of the plagues underscores the immense cost of Pharaoh's resistance and the profound value of the freedom Israel received. God's fierce justice against their oppressors was the necessary prelude to His mercy and deliverance of His chosen people.
Moses reminds the Israelites of these dramatic events. Why is remembering past miracles so crucial for shaping future faith and obedience?
The verse isn't just recounting history; it's establishing a foundational memory for the people of Israel. These 'signs and wonders' were meant to be unforgettable.
Teaching Through Testimony
As Calvin points out, the purpose of remembering these events was to teach future generations. When children would ask about the meaning of God's laws and testimonies, the Exodus story was the primary evidence of God's commitment and power, making His commands that much more authoritative and binding.
Obligation from Redemption
These miracles were the ultimate act of redemption, demonstrating God's love and power in rescuing His people. This act of liberation created a deep obligation for Israel to obey Him, not out of fear alone, but out of grateful recognition of His saving grace. As Henry notes, 'godliness has the promise of the continuance and comfort of the life that now is... It will be our righteousness.'
Understand the original words
’oth u-mowpheth · Hebrew Noun phrase
Extraordinary displays of divine power intended to authenticate God's message, reveal His glory, and deliver His people from their enemies.
This passage details the ten plagues of Egypt, which are the specific 'signs and wonders, great and grievous' that God performed against Pharaoh and his people, directly illustrating the event referenced in Deuteronomy.
This psalm recounts God's mighty acts in Egypt, emphasizing that these were 'wonders' and 'signs' done to declare His power and judge His enemies, mirroring the 'great and grievous' nature of the plagues mentioned in Deuteronomy.
Nehemiah 9:9-11This prayer recalls God seeing the affliction of His people in Egypt and bringing them out with signs and wonders, connecting the deliverance of Israel with the powerful, public displays of God's intervention described in Deuteronomy.
Jeremiah 32:20-21The prophet Jeremiah acknowledges God's history of performing 'signs and wonders' and bringing Israel out of Egypt 'with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,' underscoring that such powerful acts are a hallmark of God's deliverance throughout history.
gillDeuteronomy 6:22: "And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:"
And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and sore,.... Meaning the ten plagues, which were signs of the power of God, marvellous works, great, above the power of nature, and very sore or "evil" (y); very distressing to the Egyptians; for they came and lay heavy upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes; upon the king, h…
calvinDeuteronomy 6:20-25: "And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?"
- And when thy son asketh thee. The sole point which Moses urges in these verses is, that the people should testify their gratitude by obeying the Law, and that the same religion, [232] which he commands the fathers to teach, should descend to their posterity. The sum is, that there was good reason why all the p…
What's striking here is the phrase "great and grievous." It's not just that the plagues were amazing feats of power; they were actively terrible and disastrous for the Egyptians, underscoring that God's intervention was a display of His judgment on oppression, not merely a spectacle for the Israelites to behold. This wasn't a magic show; it was a divine rescue fueled by righteous anger against injustice, witnessed firsthand by those God was freeing.
Moses is reminding the Israelites that the Law God gave them wasn't just a set of arbitrary rules, but a response to His powerful deliverance of them from slavery. He recalls the devastating plagues poured out on Egypt, emphasizing these were public spectacles designed to show God's might and faithfulness to His people. This extraordinary act of redemption is presented as the foundational reason why they should readily obey all that follows.
Moses is reminding the Israelites that the Law God gave them wasn't just a set of arbitrary rules, but a response to His powerful deliverance of them from slavery. He recalls the devastating plagues poured out on Egypt, emphasizing these were public spectacles designed to show God's might and faithfulness to His people. This extraordinary act of redemption is presented as the foundational reason why they should readily obey all that follows.
"And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes." — What's striking here is the phrase "great and grievous." It's not just that the plagues were amazing feats of power; they were actively terrible and disastrous for the Egyptians, underscoring that Go…
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Last reviewed October 2026
