Deuteronomy 1 8

Deuteronomy 1:8 kjv

Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

Deuteronomy 1:8 nkjv

See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers?to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?to give to them and their descendants after them.'

Deuteronomy 1:8 niv

See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers?to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?and to their descendants after them."

Deuteronomy 1:8 esv

See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.'

Deuteronomy 1:8 nlt

Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants.'"

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 8 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:8 proclaims God's declaration to the Israelites to enter and possess the land of Canaan. It emphasizes that this land has already been "set" before them by divine decree, establishing the certainty of its bestowal. The verse then commands them to actively "go in and take possession," underscoring their required obedient action. This command is firmly rooted in the sacred oath sworn by the LORD to their forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—guaranteeing the land as an eternal inheritance for them and their descendants. It signifies both a divine gift and a human responsibility in faith.

Deuteronomy 1 8 Context

Deuteronomy 1:8 stands at the opening of Moses' lengthy farewell address to the new generation of Israelites. This generation stands on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. The immediate context of Deuteronomy 1:1-8 serves as an historical prologue, recounting key events since their departure from Mount Horeb (Sinai) leading up to their current location. Moses is reminding them of God's directive to depart Horeb (v. 6), proceed to the land (v. 7), and then in verse 8, explicitly charges them to go in and possess the land. This verse sets the stage for the entire book, which functions as a restatement of the Law and a covenant renewal, aimed at preparing this generation for the conquest and settlement of Canaan, grounded in the ancient covenantal promises made to their ancestors. It directly addresses the failure of the previous generation, whose disbelief prevented them from entering, urging this generation not to repeat that tragic error but to act in faith and obedience.

Deuteronomy 1 8 Word analysis

• See (רְאֵה, re'eh): An imperative verb, commanding attention and awareness. It’s a divine declaration, not a mere suggestion. God calls Israel to actively perceive and acknowledge the reality He has already established. This word often introduces a significant divine pronouncement, similar to "Behold!" or "Look!" It underscores the certainty of what is about to be stated.
• I have set (נָתַתִּי, natateti): Perfect tense verb, meaning "I have given," "I have placed," or "I have appointed." From God's perspective, the act of giving the land is a completed and established fact. The certainty of the promise is rooted in God's completed action, even before Israel physically enters. This contrasts with any human uncertainty or perceived difficulty in taking the land. It implies divine sovereignty and provision.
• the land (הָאָרֶץ, ha'aretz): Specifically refers to the land of Canaan, the "Promised Land." It's not a generic piece of territory but the particular inheritance promised by God. Its identity as "the land" carries immense covenantal significance for Israel.
• before you (לִפְנֵיכֶם, lifneikhem): Literally "to your faces," signifying that the land is directly accessible, ready, and immediately present for them to take. There are no barriers on God's side; the way is open for their entry. It implies direct access and a divine mandate for action.
• Go in (בֹּאוּ, bo'u): An imperative verb in the plural, commanding active physical entry into the land. This is the first action Israel is commanded to perform. It highlights human responsibility in taking possession of what God has already provided.
• and take possession (וּרְשׁוּ, u'rshu): An imperative verb, often meaning "to inherit," "to possess," or "to dispossess" (the current inhabitants). This command goes beyond mere entry; it demands claiming ownership and exercising authority over the land, necessarily involving the displacement of its existing pagan occupants. It connects to the idea of covenantal inheritance.
• of the land that the LORD swore (נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה, nishba' Yahweh): Emphasizes the binding, immutable nature of the promise. An oath (שָׁבַע, shava') is the strongest form of assurance, calling on God's own being as surety. It makes the promise unbreakable, reaffirming God's faithfulness and power to fulfill His Word. It reiterates the covenantal foundation for Israel's claim to the land.
• to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them: Explicitly names the patriarchs, stressing the historical and covenantal continuity of the promise across generations. It roots Israel's present opportunity in their foundational national history and God's faithfulness to their ancestors. The emphasis on "to give to them" underscores that the land is a divine gift, not something earned or achieved by Israel's merit.
• and to their offspring after them (וּלְזַרְעָם אַחֲרֵיהֶם, ulzar'am achareihem): Extends the divine guarantee to all future generations, not just the immediate recipients. This ensures that the land promise remains a perpetual covenant for Israel. It also signifies that the new generation standing before Moses is the legitimate inheritor of this ancient pledge.

Deuteronomy 1 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "take possession" (יָרַשׁ, yarash) carries a dual meaning often implied in the context of the Promised Land: to "inherit" and to "dispossess." This signifies that the Israelites would not merely be settling unoccupied land, but would be claiming their God-given inheritance by displacing the current inhabitants, thus executing divine judgment upon the idolatrous Canaanite nations. This inherent polemic counters the prevailing ancient Near Eastern idea that territorial gods were fixed to their land; instead, Yahweh, the God of Israel, demonstrated universal sovereignty by orchestrating the removal of other nations to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. The land's boundaries, though immense in promise, would only be realized through active, faithful, and complete obedience to God's command to possess it fully. This divine initiative and human responsibility paradigm is foundational to the covenantal walk throughout the entire Old Testament and even into the New Testament's understanding of spiritual inheritance.

Deuteronomy 1 8 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:8 is a pivotal verse, serving as the theological bedrock and immediate impetus for the book of Deuteronomy and the subsequent conquest of Canaan. It communicates profound truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. First, God's promise is absolute and already "set." This declaration emphasizes divine sovereignty and certainty, removing any doubt about the land's rightful owner or the legitimacy of Israel's claim. It counters the past generation's lack of faith by affirming that the challenge lies not in God's ability or will, but in Israel's obedience.

Second, the verse presents a direct command requiring active human faith and participation. God's declaration, "I have set the land before you," does not negate the need for Israel to "go in and take possession." Divine promise necessitates human response; it's a call to obedient action, to walk by faith into what God has already provided. This dynamic highlights the covenantal relationship where divine initiative is met with human responsibility.

Finally, the verse grounds Israel's present situation deeply in its historical and covenantal heritage. By reiterating the oath made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses reminds the new generation that their impending inheritance is not arbitrary but the fulfillment of an ancient, unchangeable divine pledge. This reinforces their identity as the chosen people, inheritors of sacred promises. The mention of "offspring" extending the promise underlines God's enduring faithfulness across generations, providing assurance and motivation for this new generation to succeed where their predecessors failed, trusting in the faithful character of Yahweh who keeps His oath forever. The land thus becomes a tangible symbol of God's covenant love and faithfulness, secured not by Israel's merit but by God's sworn word.