What Does Deuteronomy 9:20 Mean in the King James?
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The moment that holds the threat of Aaron’s destruction also holds Moses’ prayer for him.
THE MEANING
You see danger and intercession in one frame: the threat remains real, and Moses carries Aaron’s case before God at that same time. The prayer does not erase the danger; it enters while the danger is still present.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that a person in grave failure is beyond anyone’s intercession.
THE ROOT
וָאֶתְפַּלֵּל
va’etpallel
GROWS FROM
פלל
p-l-l
In this verbal form, to pray or intercede, to enter a plea on someone’s behalf.
“prayed” in this verse is va’etpallel. The Hebrew verb describes Moses praying for Aaron specifically, not simply expressing a private wish. Its intercessory force brings another person’s case before God while destruction is in view.
ALSO GROWS
tefillah: Prayer
תְּפִלָּה
The related noun keeps prayer within the same root family as Moses’ act for Aaron.
hitpallel: To pray, intercede
הִתְפַּלֵּל
This is the same prayer verb in a dictionary form; its use for intercession highlights prayer as carrying another person’s case.
THE PATTERN
Intercession enters while another person’s danger is still at stake.
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.THE THREAD
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.The Hebrew verb translated “pray” in both verses comes from פלל (p-l-l), in a form used for praying or interceding. In each passage, one person’s prayer is carried into another person’s peril.
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