20 And the Lord was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too.
20 And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
20 And the Lord was so angry with Aaron that he was ready to destroy him. And I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
20 And Aaron! How furious he was with Aaron - ready to destroy him. But I prayed also for Aaron at that same time.
20 And the Lord was very angry with Aaron and would have destroyed him; so I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
20 The Lord was so angry with Aaron that he wanted to destroy him, too. But I prayed for Aaron, and the Lord spared him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20
Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:7-29
(Read Deuteronomy 9:7-29)
That the Israelites might have no pretence to think that God brought them to Canaan for their righteousness, Moses shows what a miracle of mercy it was, that they had not been destroyed in the wilderness. It is good for us often to remember against ourselves, with sorrow and shame, our former sins; that we may see how much we are indebted to free grace, and may humbly own that we never merited any thing but wrath and the curse at God's hand. For so strong is our propensity to pride, that it will creep in under one pretence or another. We are ready to fancy that our righteousness has got for us the special favour of the Lord, though in reality our wickedness is more plain than our weakness. But when the secret history of every man's life shall be brought forth at the day of judgment, all the world will be proved guilty before God. At present, One pleads for us before the mercy-seat, who not only fasted, but died upon the cross for our sins; through whom we may approach, though self-condemned sinners, and beseech for undeserved mercy and for eternal life, as the gift of God in Him. Let us refer all the victory, all the glory, and all the praise, to Him who alone bringeth salvation.