But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
But the king must not acquire many horses for himself, and he must not send people back to Egypt to get more horses, because the LORD has told you that you should never go back to Egypt again.
God is warning that Israel's future king should not build up military power through horses from Egypt, and the people should never return to their former place of slavery.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Moses' instructions about kingship before Israel entered the Promised Land. Egypt was known for its powerful cavalry and war horses, which represented military might and worldly power. God wanted Israel's future kings to trust in Him rather than in military strength, and to never be tempted to return to Egypt, the land where they had been enslaved for 400 years.
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