Deuteronomy 1:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When Moses referred to the large number of Hebrews, he may have pondered whether they might interpret his remarks as dissatisfaction with them, akin to how some fathers become frustrated and irritable when their offspring increase, wishing instead that the Lord would lessen their number. To prevent the Hebrews from suspecting him of harboring negative feelings towards them due to their growth, Moses clarifies that he views their increase as a manifestation of God’s grace, which brings him joy. Indeed, he delights in this and hopes that the Lord would further multiply them, desire more souls to join their ranks, and make them exceedingly abundant (you shall be thousands in number) - and may He bless you, as I have indicated. This blessing refers not merely to their numerical increase but encompasses a richness of all good things, both in body and spirit, in accordance with the Lord’s promises (Genesis 12:2).