Deuteronomy 11 23

Deuteronomy 11:23 kjv

Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

Deuteronomy 11:23 nkjv

then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.

Deuteronomy 11:23 niv

then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you.

Deuteronomy 11:23 esv

then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.

Deuteronomy 11:23 nlt

Then the LORD will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land.

Deuteronomy 11 verses

Deuteronomy 11 23 Meaning

Deuteronomy 11:23 promises that if Israel adheres to the commands of the Lord, He Himself will powerfully expel the formidable nations inhabiting Canaan. Following this divine action, Israel will then complete the process of dispossessing and inheriting the land from peoples who are humanly speaking, superior in number and strength. It highlights divine enablement preceding and empowering human participation.

Deuteronomy 11 23 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 11 is a crucial part of Moses' second major address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. It immediately follows the call to absolute loyalty and love for God (Dt 6), reiterating the covenant. This chapter stresses the stark choice before Israel: blessings for obedience or curses for disobedience. Verse 23 is directly contingent upon the condition stated in verse 22: "For if you are careful to keep all this command that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him." Historically, the Israelites were facing numerous, established nations (e.g., Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites) who occupied fortified cities and possessed superior military strength. The verse serves as a powerful reassurance that their success would not hinge on their military might or strategic genius but on the Lord's intervention, a direct polemic against the regional pagan beliefs that territories were secured by the power of local gods; instead, the one true God, YHWH, was sovereign over all lands and peoples.

Deuteronomy 11 23 Word analysis

• Then (וְהוֹרִישׁ - vehôrı̂ysh): This particle ("and") here functions as "then," indicating a direct consequence or result of the preceding condition (Dt 11:22). It establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship based on Israel's faithfulness.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, faithful, and omnipotent character. It underscores that this action is solely attributed to Him, distinguishing Him from any regional deities thought to govern their lands.
• will drive out (יָרַשׁ - yarash): Though often meaning "to dispossess" or "to inherit," here in the hiphil (causative) stem, hôrı̂ysh, it signifies "cause to possess" or "drive out/dispossess (others)." This verb powerfully conveys God's active, forceful removal of the current inhabitants, paving the way for Israel. It reflects divine power and sovereign intervention.
• all these nations (כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה - kol-haggoyim ha'elleh): Refers to the collective peoples already in Canaan. "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's promised action, leaving no remnants that could pose a future threat if His command is fulfilled.
• from before you (מִפְּנֵיכֶם - mippeneychem): Implies removal from their sight and path, making the way clear for Israel to occupy the land without hindrance. It signifies the cleansing of the land for Israel.
• and you will dispossess (וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם - vehorashtem): This is also yarash in the hiphil stem, but as a second clause in consequence. While the Lord "drives out," Israel is commanded to complete the act of taking possession and expelling the remnants. It denotes Israel's required participation, cooperating with divine power rather than passive reception. It implies that God's prior action makes Israel's subsequent dispossessing effective.
• nations greater and mightier (גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים - goyim rabbim va'atzumım): This phrase underscores the humanly insurmountable odds. "Greater" (rabbim) speaks of their numerical superiority and larger population. "Mightier" (atzumım) signifies their strength, fortifications, and military prowess. This highlight magnifies the power of the Lord who will enable Israel to overcome such a daunting opposition.
• than yourselves (מִכֶּם - mikem): Directly compares Israel's smaller numbers and lesser military strength to that of the Canaanites, thereby accentuating that victory will unequivocally be a divine act, not a human achievement.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then the LORD will drive out... and you will dispossess": This phrase highlights the divine-human partnership in conquest. God takes the initiative, doing the heavy lifting by "driving out," but Israel is still required to participate actively in "dispossessing." It’s a dynamic interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
• "all these nations from before you": Emphasizes the cleansing and clearing of the land for Israel’s inheritance, illustrating God's purposeful design to provide a place for His people.
• "nations greater and mightier than yourselves": This serves to humble Israel, remind them of their dependence on God, and amplify God's unparalleled power. Their strength against seemingly invincible foes would stand as a testament to the Lord's faithfulness and might.

Deuteronomy 11 23 Bonus section

The fulfillment of this promise (driving out nations) was not always complete throughout Israel's history due to their partial obedience or outright disobedience. While God's part was unwavering, Israel's failure to fully "dispossess" as commanded (e.g., Judg 1:27-36) resulted in the remaining nations becoming a snare to them. This highlights a crucial theological boundary: God's covenant promises are firm, but their full experiential realization often hinges on human fidelity. This verse is foundational for understanding the concept of divine empowerment for tasks beyond human capability, applicable both to physical and spiritual conquests. For believers today, it speaks to the reality that spiritual battles (e.g., Eph 6:12) against forces "greater and mightier" than us can only be overcome through Christ's power working in us, as we remain obedient and "hold fast" to Him.

Deuteronomy 11 23 Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:23 functions as a critical motivational promise within Moses' exhortation, firmly grounding Israel's success in the promised land upon their unreserved obedience to God. It posits that military victory and the subsequent inheritance of the land are not primarily the result of Israel's strength or cunning, but the direct consequence of YHWH's mighty hand. God, in His sovereign power, would initiate the expulsion of the formidable indigenous populations ("drive out"), clearing the path for Israel. However, this divine action does not negate Israel's role; they are still required to "dispossess" the remaining inhabitants, implying ongoing active participation. This collaborative dynamic emphasizes the principle that God often acts through His obedient people. The explicit mention of the enemy nations being "greater and mightier" than Israel underscores the miraculous nature of their forthcoming victories, perpetually pointing back to the Lord as the true source of their triumph. The message remains timeless: God equips and empowers His people to overcome what seems humanly impossible when they walk in obedience to Him.