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Deuteronomy 1:9

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 1:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
Deuteronomy 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Jehovah our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mountain:
7turn you, and take your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the South, and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.
8Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
9And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
10Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
11Jehovah, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!
12How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
← Deuteronomy 1:8Deuteronomy 1:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I spake unto you at that time, etc.] About that time; for it was after the rock in Horeb was smitten, and before they encamped at Mount Sinai, that Jethro gave the advice which Moses took, and proceeded on it, as here related; (see <021801>Exodus 18:1-27) saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone; to rule and govern them, judge and determine matters between them. Jethro suggested this to Moses, and he took the hint, and was conscious to himself that it was too much for him, and so declared it to the people, though it is not before recorded; (see <021818>Exodus 18:18).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone--a little before their arrival in Horeb. Moses addresses that new generation as the representatives of their fathers, in whose sight and hearing all the transactions he recounts took place. A reference is here made to the suggestion of Jethro (Exo 18:18). In noticing his practical adoption of a plan by which the administration of justice was committed to a select number of subordinate officers, Moses, by a beautiful allusion to the patriarchal blessing, ascribed the necessity of that memorable change in the government to the vast increase of the population.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This appointment of the “captains” (compare Exodus 18:21 ff) must not be confounded with that of the elders in Numbers 11:16 ff. The former would number 78,600; the latter were 70 only. A comparison between this passage and that in Exodus makes it obvious that Moses is only touching on certain parts of the whole history, without regard to order of time, but with a special purpose. This important arrangement for the good government of the people took place before they left Horeb to march direct to the promised land. This fact sets more clearly before us the perverseness and ingratitude of the people, to which the orator next passes; and shows, what he was anxious to impress, that the fault of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“At that time - That is, about that time, namely, a little before their coming to Horeb. Deuteronomy 1:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:9-18 See Exod 18:13-27.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am not: Exo 18:18; Num 11:11-14, Num 11:17 Deuteronomy 1:10”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification