Deuteronomy 1 21

Deuteronomy 1:21 kjv

Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 1:21 nkjv

Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.'

Deuteronomy 1:21 niv

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 1:21 esv

See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'

Deuteronomy 1:21 nlt

Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don't be afraid! Don't be discouraged!'

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:21 is Moses’ powerful reminder to the Israelites of God’s clear directive and generous provision at the cusp of entering the Promised Land from Kadesh-Barnea. It conveys that the land, though inhabited, has been divinely "set before" them as a gift. God’s explicit command is for them to "go up and take possession," underscoring the necessity of obedient action to receive their inheritance. This command is reinforced by an emphatic assurance, linking it to the long-standing covenant promises made to their patriarchs, emphasizing divine faithfulness. The verse concludes with a crucial exhortation against fear and discouragement, directly addressing the past failure of the previous generation due to their unbelief and lack of courage. It encapsulates divine gift, human responsibility, and faith over fear.

Deuteronomy 1 21 Context

Deuteronomy 1:21 forms a pivotal part of Moses' farewell address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. The first chapter of Deuteronomy serves as a historical prologue, recounting key events of their wilderness journey. Moses vividly reminds them of their past, particularly the defining moment at Kadesh-Barnea. Prior to verse 21, Moses recounts the establishment of judicial structures and the initial, positive command to take possession of the land. This verse marks the beginning of Moses' recollection of the original divine command and their initial opportunity to enter. Crucially, it sets the stage for the upcoming narrative (Dt 1:22-46) detailing their sending of the spies, their subsequent fear, unbelief, rebellion, and God's resultant judgment of forty years in the wilderness. The historical context is that Moses is addressing a generation that did not experience the original Kadesh-Barnea failure firsthand, but must learn from it. It also underscores a significant polemic: while surrounding nations might have feared territorial gods or stronger foes, Israel was commanded to conquer, free from fear, relying on the unwavering power and promise of YHWH, their covenant God.

Deuteronomy 1 21 Word analysis

• See, (רְאֵה rə’ēh): An imperative verb, demanding attention and inviting direct observation. It implies not just visual perception, but intellectual apprehension and understanding. It points to something established, requiring acknowledgment and response.
• the LORD (יְהוָה YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness to promises, and His active role in their history and future. It signifies the ever-present and sovereign God.
• your God (אֱלֹהֶיךָ ʾĕlōheḵā): Emphasizes the particular and intimate covenant bond between YHWH and the nation of Israel. It denotes their unique relationship and responsibility to obey Him alone.
• has set the land before you. (נָתַן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ nāṯan ʾeṯ-hāʾāreṣ ləfānêḵā): Literally "given the land before you." Nāṯan signifies 'to give, place, appoint.' This highlights that the land is already a divine gift, sovereignly placed and provided for them. It signifies divine initiative and predestination. The challenge is to receive what is already given.
• Go up (עֲלֵה ʿălēh): Imperative verb, "ascend, go up." It carries a physical connotation of ascending the highlands of Canaan from the desert, but also an active, determined movement towards the objective.
• and take possession, (רַשׁ rāš): An imperative verb from the root yarash, meaning 'to inherit, take possession, dispossess.' This is not a passive waiting for inheritance, but an active, aggressive command to seize, conquer, and displace existing inhabitants. It implies exertion and effort to actualize the divine gift.
• as the LORD, (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה kaʾăšer dibber YHWH): "Just as the LORD has spoken." This phrase anchors the present command in the past, confirming God’s consistent revelation and absolute authority.
• the God of your fathers, (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָ ʾĕlōhê ʾăḇōṯeḵā): Connects this immediate command to the ancestral covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It reassures Israel of the enduring nature of God’s promises and faithfulness across generations. It highlights the historical continuity of God's redemptive plan.
• has told you. (לָךְ lāḵ): Emphasizes that the command was directly and personally given to them (the previous generation, representing all Israel).
• Do not fear (לֹא־תִירָא lōʾ-ṯîrāʾ): A strong negative imperative, prohibiting terror or dread in the face of perceived obstacles. This directly confronts the primary sin of the previous generation (Num 14:1-4) which stemmed from their fear of the land's inhabitants.
• or be dismayed. (וְלֹא תֵחָת wəlōʾ ṯēḥāṯ): Another strong negative imperative. Teḥath means 'to be shattered, dismayed, broken in spirit.' It refers to an internal loss of courage, morale, or confidence that renders one inactive or despairing. It speaks against a weakening of resolve and a sense of hopelessness.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis:

• "See, the LORD your God has set the land before you.": This initial declaration is one of divine sovereign grace. The emphasis is on God's initiative, provision, and the certainty of the promise. The land is a granted reality, demanding recognition.
• "Go up and take possession,": This is the divine mandate requiring human obedience. The gift is secured by God, but it requires active and courageous human response to realize it. There is an imperative to move from promise to actual inheritance through effort.
• "as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you.": This clause emphasizes divine faithfulness and the continuity of the covenant. The command is not new, nor arbitrary; it stems from eternal promises, providing a strong basis for confidence and obedience.
• "Do not fear or be dismayed.": This is the divine antidote to human weakness and past failure. It's a direct command against unbelief manifesting as fear, which paralyzes action and leads to disobedience. It highlights that courage is rooted in trust in God's character and promises.

Deuteronomy 1 21 Bonus section

• This verse embodies a recurring biblical pattern: divine provision (God gives), followed by human responsibility (man takes). It is not a contradiction but a testament to God working with His people, empowering them to participate in His plan.
• The phrasing "the God of your fathers" (Elohei Avotecha) frequently appears in Scripture to emphasize covenant fidelity across generations. It connects God's current dealings with His timeless character and promises.
• The failure to heed the command "Do not fear or be dismayed" at Kadesh-Barnea resulted in forty years of wilderness wandering, a severe consequence of unbelief that serves as a profound historical lesson for all time (referenced in Heb 3-4).
• Moses is speaking on the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan from the very land God promised. The geographical proximity amplifies the immediate opportunity and the historical tragedy of the previous generation.

Deuteronomy 1 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:21 is a masterclass in theological pedagogy. Moses reminds the new generation of a past opportunity tragically lost due to unbelief, framing it within God's consistent character. The core message is clear: God has made an unqualified promise—the land is already given. This divine sovereignty should have eliminated all grounds for fear. However, the accompanying command, "Go up and take possession," underscores human responsibility in actualizing divine promises. God’s work does not negate the necessity of our obedient action; rather, it empowers it. The land was not to be idly received, but actively conquered as an act of faith.

The command not to "fear or be dismayed" is more than simple encouragement; it is a divine injunction against unbelief, the root of Israel’s previous failure. Their fear of the giants and fortified cities (as detailed in Numbers 13-14) demonstrated a distrust of God's power and faithfulness. Here, Moses confronts that historical precedent, teaching that true courage is not the absence of difficulty, but trusting in the "God of your fathers" despite it. The land promised by covenant, confirmed by oath, required a step of faith and courage from a people often prone to wavering. This verse serves as a timeless call to embrace God’s gifts through courageous obedience, rejecting the paralysis that fear and discouragement can induce when faced with daunting challenges.