Deuteronomy 2 25

Deuteronomy 2:25 kjv

This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

Deuteronomy 2:25 nkjv

This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.'

Deuteronomy 2:25 niv

This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you."

Deuteronomy 2:25 esv

This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.'

Deuteronomy 2:25 nlt

Beginning today I will make people throughout the earth terrified because of you. When they hear reports about you, they will tremble with dread and fear.'"

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 25 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:25 proclaims God's divine initiative to instill overwhelming dread and fear of Israel upon the nations across the whole world. This God-ordained terror would precede Israel's advance, causing distress and anguish among all who heard of the powerful deeds of the Lord on behalf of His people, thereby preparing the way for Israel's conquests in Canaan.

Deuteronomy 2 25 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 2 details Moses's recounting of Israel's journey through the wilderness from Kadesh Barnea up to the threshold of the promised land. Before entering the land, Israel had specific divine instructions regarding certain peoples. They were commanded by God to avoid provoking Edom, Moab, and Ammon (descendants of Esau and Lot, respectively), as God had given those lands to them. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and His pre-established boundaries.

Verse 25 marks a turning point and a divine declaration: God promises to now actively instill terror in the inhabitants of Canaan and surrounding lands, contrasting with the respectful bypass of Edom, Moab, and Ammon. It sets the stage for the upcoming conquest, indicating that Israel's success will not be solely through their military prowess but primarily through God's supernatural intervention, weakening their adversaries mentally and emotionally even before battle. This promise serves to bolster Israel's faith and encourage their obedience as they prepare to cross the Arnon River and confront King Sihon.

Deuteronomy 2 25 Word analysis

• This day: Signifies an immediate and divinely appointed beginning, marking a new phase in God's covenant dealings with Israel. It emphasizes the immediacy of God's action.

• I will begin: Highlights God's active agency and sovereign initiative. It's not a gradual process or a human endeavor, but a deliberate divine commencement. The Hebrew verb "achil" (אחיל) emphasizes beginning and inauguration.

• to put: The Hebrew verb is nathan (נתן), meaning "to give," "to place," "to put." Here, it denotes God's intentional act of imparting or imposing the specified emotion. This isn't merely a consequence but a direct divine bestowal.

• the dread (פַּחַד, pachad) and fear (יִרְאָה, yirah): These two Hebrew words, often paired, amplify the intensity of the emotional state.

  • Pachad (dread): often refers to sudden, intense terror or panic, a trembling fear in the face of danger, sometimes induced by a divine presence or manifestation. It implies an overwhelming psychological effect.
  • Yirah (fear): can denote reverential awe for God, but when paired with pachad in this context, it takes on the meaning of terror, dismay, or apprehension of danger. It signifies a profound inner disquiet. The combination points to an all-encompassing, debilitating apprehension.

• of you: While literally "of you" (Israel), the fear is ultimately of the God who is with Israel. Nations would dread Israel because of the demonstrable power of their God.

• on the peoples: Refers to the various ethnic groups and nations in the regions Israel would traverse and conquer, specifically the Amorites and Canaanites.

• under all the heavens: This phrase (תַּחַת כָּל-הַשָּׁמָיִם, tachat kol-ha-shamayim) indicates a widespread, universal impact, signifying that the renown of Israel (and thus, of their God) would not be confined to a small region but would extend far and wide.

• who shall hear the report of you: "Report" (shema, שמע) refers to the renown or reputation derived from Israel's powerful actions, specifically the wonders God had already performed for them (e.g., the Exodus, Red Sea crossing, defeat of Egyptians, wilderness provision). This is a public witness that spreads God's fame.

• and tremble (וְרָגְזוּ, veragazu) and be in anguish (וְחָלוּ, vechalu) because of you: These verbs describe the profound physical and emotional reactions.

  • Ragazu (tremble): Indicates shaking, agitation, or trembling from fear, often with a sense of internal turmoil or perturbation.
  • Chalu (be in anguish): Suggests being faint, in pain, sorrowful, or seized with dread, often metaphorically used for birth pangs or intense illness, implying a debilitating and painful psychological state. It’s an inward melting of courage and morale.

• "dread and fear of you on the peoples": This phrase captures the essence of God's strategy. It's not just a physical military victory Israel achieves; it's a pre-emptive psychological warfare waged by God Himself. He will disarm the enemy's courage before the fight even begins. This ensures that Israel's victories are attributed solely to God.

Deuteronomy 2 25 Bonus section

The specific choice of the two Hebrew words, pachad (dread) and yirah (fear), for their combined effect is significant. While yirah can denote the positive "fear of the Lord" (reverential awe, respect, and submission), here, juxtaposed with pachad, it unmistakably signifies debilitating terror and panic that leaves no room for resistance. This dual expression underscores the comprehensiveness of the divine impact: an emotional and psychological subjugation. This type of divine-induced fear, common in the conquest narratives, served as a fulfillment of earlier promises in the Pentateuch (e.g., Exod 23:27). It also preemptively stripped the enemy's resolve, demonstrating that even before Israel drew a sword, God had already begun the battle through His spiritual warfare on the minds and hearts of their adversaries. This phenomenon underscores a crucial biblical principle: true power belongs to God, and He often fights for His people by dismantling the opposition from within or without, not solely through human effort.

Deuteronomy 2 25 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:25 stands as a profound declaration of God's sovereign power and His direct intervention on behalf of His covenant people. It is a divine promise, not a human expectation, ensuring that Israel's entry into the Promised Land would be marked by supernatural assistance. The "dread and fear" instilled by God was not mere apprehension but a debilitating terror, stripping the morale and courage from Israel's enemies. This divine demoralization served a dual purpose: it paved the way for easier conquest for Israel, showcasing God fighting on their behalf, and it magnified the renown of the Lord among the nations, affirming His unrivaled sovereignty.

This verse emphasizes that Israel's success was never dependent on their might, but on God's active presence and power. The "report" of God's great deeds—from the Exodus to their journey through the wilderness—was to be their reputation, striking terror into the hearts of those who opposed God's will. The trembling and anguish of the nations demonstrate the absolute impact of God's authority over creation and human affairs. It is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His justice against those who would hinder His redemptive plan.

Practical Usage:

• Trust in God's leading: Even when facing overwhelming challenges, God can clear the path ahead by working supernaturally on one's behalf.
• God's reputation precedes: Our testimony and faithfulness can make an impact on others, not through our strength, but through the God we represent.
• Battles belong to the Lord: Recognize that true victories come through divine intervention, humbling us and giving God the glory.