Deuteronomy 10:11 kjv
And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
Deuteronomy 10:11 nkjv
Then the LORD said to me, 'Arise, begin your journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.'
Deuteronomy 10:11 niv
"Go," the LORD said to me, "and lead the people on their way, so that they may enter and possess the land I swore to their ancestors to give them."
Deuteronomy 10:11 esv
And the LORD said to me, 'Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them.'
Deuteronomy 10:11 nlt
Then the LORD said to me, 'Get up and resume the journey, and lead the people to the land I swore to give to their ancestors, so they may take possession of it.'
Deuteronomy 10 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | To your offspring I will give this land. | Initial land promise to Abraham. |
| Gen 15:18 | The LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land..." | Covenant defining the land's extent. |
| Ex 3:8 | I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey. | God's intention to bring Israel to the promised land. |
| Ex 6:8 | I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham... and I will give it to you for a possession. | God's oath to the patriarchs concerning the land. |
| Num 33:53 | You shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. | Explicit command to possess the land. |
| Deut 1:8 | See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession. | Earlier reminder to enter and possess the land. |
| Deut 9:5 | Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart... but to fulfill the word that the LORD swore to your fathers. | Possession is due to God's oath, not Israel's merit. |
| Deut 11:8 | Keep all the commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land. | Connection between obedience and strength to possess. |
| Josh 1:6 | Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land. | Joshua commissioned to lead them into inheritance. |
| Josh 21:43 | Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. | Fulfillment of the land promise. |
| Judg 2:1 | I swore to your fathers and I brought you up out of Egypt. | Recalls God's foundational acts of promise and deliverance. |
| Neh 9:23 | You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven and brought them into the land... | God's faithfulness in bringing them into the land. |
| Ps 105:8-11 | He remembers his covenant forever... saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan..." | Remembers eternal covenant regarding Canaan. |
| Ezek 36:28 | You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. | Future restoration and dwelling in the land. |
| Rom 4:13 | The promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. | Broader spiritual inheritance tied to Abrahamic promise. |
| Gal 3:18 | If the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. | Inheritance by promise, not by law. |
| Heb 4:1 | Let us therefore fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest... | Spiritual rest as an analogy to the promised land. |
| Heb 6:13-14 | When God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself... | God's oath to Abraham confirmed by His own being. |
| Heb 11:9-10 | By faith he went to live in the land of promise as in a foreign land, looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. | Deeper spiritual meaning of the promised land and a future heavenly city. |
| Acts 7:5 | God promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him. | Divine initiative and promise to Abraham. |
| Deut 31:7 | Be strong and courageous... for you shall go with this people into the land. | Moses' charge to Joshua, mirroring God's charge to him. |
| Isa 40:28 | The LORD is the everlasting God... He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. | Reinforces God's unwavering character in fulfilling promises. |
Deuteronomy 10 verses
Deuteronomy 10 11 Meaning
Deuteronomy 10:11 conveys God's reaffirmation of His command to Moses to lead the Israelite nation into the promised land. This divine instruction underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient oath made to the patriarchs, despite Israel's recent rebellion and disobedience with the golden calf. It is a powerful declaration of renewed divine purpose and Israel's continued destiny to inherit the land, emphasizing God's grace and restoration after their corporate failure.
Deuteronomy 10 11 Context
Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," presents Moses' final addresses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they enter the promised land. Chapter 10 is part of Moses' recounting of the past forty years in the wilderness, emphasizing God's dealings with them and the renewal of the covenant. Specifically, it directly follows the recounting of the golden calf incident, a moment of profound national rebellion that jeopardized their covenant relationship with God. In light of this significant failure, God's renewed command to Moses to lead them into the land highlights divine grace, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment to His ancient covenant promises, demonstrating His ultimate purpose for His people despite their failures.
Historically and culturally, the ancient Near East was characterized by treaties and covenants between kings and their vassals. Deuteronomy frames God's relationship with Israel using such covenant language, where God is the Great King establishing terms with His people. The land promise was central to such covenants, representing not merely territory, but also identity, security, and a place where God's presence would dwell. For Israel, to "possess the land" meant not only military conquest but also establishing their lives under the unique divine covenant in contrast to the polytheistic and idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations they would displace. This served as a polemic, asserting the sovereign Yahweh's power over all other deities, demonstrated by His ability to grant and secure the land for His people.
Deuteronomy 10 11 Word analysis
- And the LORD said unto me: Emphasizes divine authorship and direct communication from God (Yahweh) to Moses, validating the command as having ultimate authority and purpose.
- Arise (קוּם - qum): A verb signifying to stand up, to rise, to be established. Here, it is an imperative, an urgent call to action and readiness for a task. It implies a departure from a state of waiting or contemplation, suggesting renewed energy or commitment. In a broader biblical context, "arise" often precedes significant divine commands or a shift in divine initiative.
- Go before (הָלֹךְ לִפְנֵי - halokh lifnei): Means "to walk before" or "to lead." This highlights Moses' leadership role, not just as a figurehead, but as one who actively guides and goes first. It underscores the concept of shepherd leadership.
- the people: Refers to the entire nation of Israel, signifying God's communal blessing and purpose for His chosen covenant people, encompassing all twelve tribes.
- that they may go in: Implies a directed movement and entry into a specific geographical location, highlighting the objective of the command. It's the initiation of the long-awaited entry into Canaan.
- and possess (יִרְשׁוּ - yirshu): Derived from the root ירשׁ (yarash), meaning to inherit, to dispossess, to take possession of. It signifies gaining lawful control and occupation, often implying dispossessing previous inhabitants. It connects directly to the promised inheritance God continually speaks of.
- the land (הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz): Refers specifically to the land of Canaan, the geographical fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not just any land, but the uniquely designated covenant land.
- which I sware (נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי - nishba'ti): Derived from the root שׁבע (shava), meaning to swear, to take an oath. An oath from God is immutable and unbreakable, underscoring the absolute certainty and reliability of His promise. God bound Himself by His own character and word.
- unto their fathers: Refers specifically to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase links the present generation directly to the ancient, unconditional covenant promises, assuring them that God's plan is continuous and predates their failures.
- to give unto them: Reaffirms that the land is a divine gift, not something earned or merited by Israel's own strength or righteousness. It underscores God's grace and sovereignty in fulfilling His redemptive plan.
Deuteronomy 10 11 Bonus section
The concept of "possessing the land" carries both a literal historical fulfillment for Israel in Canaan and a spiritual typology for believers in Christ. While Israel physically inherited Canaan as a tangible fulfillment of God's promise, the New Testament echoes the theme of inheritance, translating it into spiritual blessings, eternal life, and God's "rest" (Hebrews 4). The literal land was a down payment or a type of a greater, spiritual inheritance and rest in Christ that awaits believers. This dual fulfillment demonstrates God's consistent purpose across covenants, transforming earthly promises into heavenly realities, underscoring that our ultimate rest and inheritance are in Him.
Deuteronomy 10 11 Commentary
Deuteronomy 10:11 is a pivotal statement following a severe crisis in Israel's history—the golden calf idolatry. Its placement immediately after Moses recounts God's forgiveness and the renewal of the covenant (the new tablets) profoundly illustrates God's unyielding grace and steadfast faithfulness. The command to "Arise, go before the people" serves as a re-commissioning of Moses, dispelling any notion that their recent apostasy had thwarted God's ultimate purpose for them. The divine initiative is paramount here; God is not abandoning His promise. The very foundation for entering and possessing the land rests not on Israel's fickle obedience but on God's inviolable oath sworn "unto their fathers." This emphasizes that the land inheritance is an enduring gift rooted in God's eternal covenant love, independent of immediate human failure. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises, especially those sealed by an oath, will surely come to pass, fulfilling His divine redemptive plan for His people.