Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 4:34

34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations , by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched-out arm, and by great terrors , according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

By tribulations and persecutions, which are commonly called temptations, which are here fitly mentioned, as one great occasion first of their cryes unto God, and then of Gods coming for their rescue. Or, temptations is the general title, which is explained by the following particulars, signs, and wonders, &c. which are called temptations, because they were tryals both to the Egyptians and Israelites, whether thereby they would be induced to believe and obey God or no.

Raised in the minds of the Egyptians, as the History sheweth: compare Deut. 2. 25. and 34. 12. or, by terrible things done among them.

Marginal references: Chap. 7. 19. and 29. 3.