Deuteronomy 1:12
Deuteronomy 1:12 in Multiple Translations
But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself?
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
How is it possible for me by myself to be responsible for you, and undertake the weight of all your troubles and your arguments?
But how can I take on all your troubles, burdens, and arguments just by myself?
Howe can I alone beare your combrance and your charge, and your strife?
'How do I bear by myself your pressure, and your burden, and your strife?
How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife?
How can I alone bear your encumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
I alone am not able to bear your business, and the charge of you and your differences.
But I certainly cannot [RHQ] ◄solve/deal with► all of your complaints/problems.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 1:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 1:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֵיכָ֥ה
אֶשָּׂ֖א
לְ/בַדִּ֑/י
טָרְחֲ/כֶ֥ם
וּ/מַֽשַּׂאֲ/כֶ֖ם
וְ/רִֽיבְ/כֶֽם
אֵיכָ֥ה
ʼêyk
H349
how?
Part
אֶשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
לְ/בַדִּ֑/י
bad
H905
alone
Prep | N-ms | Suff
טָרְחֲ/כֶ֥ם
ṭôrach
H2960
burden
N-ms | Suff
וּ/מַֽשַּׂאֲ/כֶ֖ם
massâʼ
H4853
burden
Conj | N-ms | Suff
וְ/רִֽיבְ/כֶֽם
rîyb
H7379
strife
Conj | N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 1:12
אֵיכָ֥ה
ʼêyk
H349
"how?"
Part
In the Bible, this word means 'how' or 'where', like in Genesis when God asks Adam 'where are you'. It's also used to express surprise or excitement.
Definition: interrog adv how?
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: how, what. See also: Genesis 26:9; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Psalms 11:1.
אֶשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
לְ/בַדִּ֑/י
bad
H905
"alone"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
טָרְחֲ/כֶ֥ם
ṭôrach
H2960
"burden"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a burden or trouble that weighs someone down. It can be a physical load or a difficult situation. The KJV translates it as cumbrance or trouble.
Definition: burden
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: cumbrance, trouble. See also: Deuteronomy 1:12; Isaiah 1:14.
וּ/מַֽשַּׂאֲ/כֶ֖ם
massâʼ
H4853
"burden"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a message from God, like a prophecy or oracle, often given through a prophet. It can also mean a burden or a song. It appears in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, where God speaks through prophets to His people.
Definition: 1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting 1a) load, burden 1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up 1c) bearing, carrying 1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: burden, carry away, prophecy, [idiom] they set, song, tribute. See also: Exodus 23:5; Isaiah 13:1; Psalms 38:5.
וְ/רִֽיבְ/כֶֽם
rîyb
H7379
"strife"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dispute or quarrel between people, which can be a physical fight or a verbal argument. It is often used to describe a lawsuit or controversy, and appears in books like Deuteronomy and Job.
Definition: 1) strife, controversy, dispute 1a) strife, quarrel 1b) dispute, controversy, case at law
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. See also: Genesis 13:7; Proverbs 17:1; Psalms 18:44.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 1:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 1:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 1:12
Context — Moses Appoints Leaders
10The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.
11May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.
12But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself?
13Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” 14And you answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Corinthians 3:5 | Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 3:7–9 | And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 2:16 | To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task? |
| 4 | Numbers 11:11–15 | So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 1:9 | At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. |
| 6 | Psalms 89:19 | You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. |
| 7 | Exodus 18:13–16 | The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. “Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” |
Deuteronomy 1:12 Summary
In Deuteronomy 1:12, Moses is saying that he can't handle all the problems and disagreements of the Israelites by himself. He needs help, just like we do when we're feeling overwhelmed. This verse reminds us that we don't have to bear our burdens alone, and that God is always available to help us, as seen in Psalm 55:22 and Matthew 11:28-30. By trusting in God and seeking help from others, we can find the strength and wisdom we need to face life's challenges, just as Moses did when he appointed leaders to help him, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:13-14 and Exodus 18:13-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the problem that Moses was facing in Deuteronomy 1:12?
Moses was feeling overwhelmed by the troubles, burdens, and disputes of the Israelites, and he realized he couldn't handle them all by himself, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:12, which is why he needed to appoint leaders to help him, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:13-14 and Exodus 18:13-27.
How does this verse relate to the concept of leadership in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of shared leadership and delegation, as Moses couldn't bear the responsibilities alone, which is also seen in Exodus 18:13-27, where Jethro advises Moses to appoint leaders to help him, and in Numbers 11:16-17, where Moses appoints seventy elders to help him lead the people.
What does this verse teach us about Moses' humility and recognition of his limitations?
Moses' statement in Deuteronomy 1:12 shows his humility and recognition of his limitations, as he acknowledges that he can't handle everything by himself, which is a characteristic of a godly leader, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are instructed to trust in the Lord and not in our own understanding.
How can we apply the principle of shared responsibility seen in this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this principle by recognizing our own limitations and seeking help from others, whether in our families, churches, or communities, just as Moses did, and as seen in Galatians 6:2, where we are instructed to bear one another's burdens.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I'm trying to bear burdens alone, and how can I seek help from others or from God?
- How can I, like Moses, recognize my limitations and trust God to provide the help I need, as seen in Psalm 55:22 and Matthew 11:28-30?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of community and shared responsibility in the body of Christ, as seen in Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27?
- How can I apply the principle of delegation and shared leadership to my own life, whether in my family, church, or workplace, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27 and Acts 6:1-7?
- What are some ways I can trust God to provide wisdom and guidance, just as Moses did, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5-8?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 1:12
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?] His meaning is, that he could not hear and try all their causes, and determine all their law suits, and decide the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 1:12
And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: I spake unto you at that time - a little before their arrival in Horeb.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
Your burden; the trouble of ruling and managing so perverse a people. Your strife; either your quarrellings with God; or rather your contentions among yourselves, for the determination whereof the elders were appointed.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
Deuteronomy 1:12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?Ver. 12. Hear your cumbrance.] A prince’ s temples are not so compassed with a crown, as his mind besieged with cares; nor is he so lifted up with the splendour of his train, as cast down with the multitude of his fears. St Paul also had the "cumber of the churches." All care cumbered and mustered together, and that with anxiety; with the same solicitude that a man hath about his own most important business. επισυστασις, μεριμνα
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
(12) Your cumbrance.—The original word is found only here and in Isaiah 1:14 : “They are a trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them.” Deuteronomy 1:13-15 recall very exactly what is said in Exodus 18
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 1:12
12. How] This emphatic Heb. form is found in the Pent. only here, Deuteronomy 7:17, Deuteronomy 12:30, Deuteronomy 18:21, (Deuteronomy 32:30). can I myself alone bear] See on Deuteronomy 1:9. your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife] Better the weight, the burden, and the strife of you. Weight cp. Isaiah 1:14, they are a weight upon me, I am weary of bearing. Is the use of the word here an echo of Isaiah? The Heb. ṭ ?oraḥ ? is not found elsewhere in the O. T. Burden or carriage, cp. J, Numbers 11:11, the burden of all this people upon me, and 17. Strife; the Heb. rîb is used in JE of quarrels about wells and other physical struggles; but also of law-disputes, and of Israel’s contentiousness with Moses and God (E, Exodus 17:2; Exodus 17:7; J, Numbers 20:3; P, Numbers 20:13; and in the Song, Deuteronomy 33:8).
In D four times for law-pleas. Here it is either the people’s litigiousness among themselves or their frequent contentions with Moses and God.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:12
THE OF JUDGES AND THE OF THEIR DUTIES, Deuteronomy 1:9-18.For a more particular statement see Exodus 18:13-26, where it is said Moses adopted this plan at the counsel of Jethro.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 1:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Heaven: Its Hope by D.L. Moody | The preacher delves into the concept of hostility, describing it as a word spoken against or defiance against authority, often involving strife and enmity. The term 'antilogia' is |
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(2 Corinthians) ch.1:20-3:4 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the inner life of the Apostle Paul and his ministry. Paul emphasizes the importance of working together with others and not ministering alone |
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Jack Hyles Fresh Oil Part 1 by Jack Hyles | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being anointed with fresh oil, drawing parallels to King David's anointing as a symbol of God's empowerment and calling. It shares a person |
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(2 Corinthians) ch.4:3-4:11 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the ministry of the New Covenant and the importance of being adequate for this ministry. He emphasizes that it is God who makes us adequate, |
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At the Kings Gate by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon titled "At the King's Gate," the speaker focuses on the story of Esther in the Bible. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a heart for God and living for H |
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The Glorious Ministration of the Spirit by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on Christ rather than being distracted by the charisma and self-promotion of human leaders. He warns against bein |
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Through the Bible - 2 Corinthians - Part 2 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the qualities and characteristics of the apostle Paul as a servant of God. He emphasizes that Paul was called by God and had a deep love for |