Deu 1:10 | TNotes | STEP | 1:10 as numerous as the stars: This figure of speech deliberately exaggerates for effect. Abraham’s descendants had not approached the actual number of stars in the universe, though they exceeded the number of stars visible to the naked eye. Moses meant that God had begun fulfilling his promises to Abraham (see Gen 15:5 ; 22:17 ) by making Israel numerous, bringing them to the Promised Land, and preparing them to conquer it.

bGen 15:5►

‏ Deuteronomy 1:10

1:10 ^a as numerous as the stars: This figure of speech deliberately exaggerates for effect. Abraham’s descendants had not approached the actual number of stars in the universe, though they exceeded the number of stars visible to the naked eye. Moses meant that God had begun fulfilling his promises to Abraham (see Gen 15:5 ^b; 22:17 ^c) by making Israel numerous, bringing them to the Promised Land, and preparing them to conquer it.