Deuteronomy 28 7

Deuteronomy 28:7 kjv

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

Deuteronomy 28:7 nkjv

"The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Deuteronomy 28:7 niv

The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

Deuteronomy 28:7 esv

"The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Deuteronomy 28:7 nlt

"The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 7 Meaning

This verse is a foundational promise of divine protection and overwhelming victory for Israel, conditioned upon their obedience to the covenant of God. It declares that the LORD Himself will directly intervene to defeat any enemies who oppose His people. Those adversaries, even when organized for attack (one way), will experience a total and chaotic rout, scattering in all directions (seven ways) before the power of God. It assures that security and triumph over all opposition come from divine favor, not human strength.

Deuteronomy 28 7 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 28 is the culmination of Moses' second major discourse to Israel, delivered just before they were to enter the Promised Land. This chapter functions as a conditional covenant renewal, laying out in stark terms the blessings that would result from obedience to God's commandments (vv. 1-14) and the curses that would befall them for disobedience (vv. 15-68). Verse 7 is embedded within the section detailing the blessings, specifically concerning national security and military triumph. Historically, Israel was about to embark on the conquest of Canaan, facing numerous established, well-fortified nations. This verse serves as a crucial promise, assuring them that their success would not be through their own military might but by the sovereign hand of the LORD who would fight their battles and grant them comprehensive victory over their adversaries, establishing a fundamental principle for their existence in the land.

Deuteronomy 28 7 Word analysis

• The LORD (יהוה - YHWH): This refers to the covenant God of Israel, the Self-Existent One, whose name signifies His unchanging faithfulness and presence. The promise is guaranteed by His divine character and commitment to His people, not by a lesser deity or a fickle force. This highlights the absolute reliability and supreme power of Israel's God, contrasting Him with the impotent idols of Canaanite worship.
• will cause (יתן - yitten): Literally "will give" or "will put." This verb signifies direct divine initiative and action. It is not merely God permitting victory or assisting their efforts, but actively making their enemies fail. The outcome is not based on Israel's military strategy or numerical superiority, but on God's decree.
• your enemies (אויביך - oyveikha): Refers to adversaries, those hostile and opposed to Israel. In the immediate context, these were the Canaanite nations; however, the term has broader application to any force that stands against God's people or His purposes.
• who rise against you (יקמו עליך - yaqumu aleikha): Implies active, deliberate aggression and hostile intent. It's not just passive animosity but a movement of direct opposition and challenge. This promise covers any direct military or hostile action against Israel.
• to be defeated (נגפים - niggaphim): Literally "struck down" or "plagued." This passive participle denotes being smitten or put to rout. It's a comprehensive and devastating blow. The defeat is not a partial withdrawal but a complete and total collapse of the enemy's attack. This term emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the defeat orchestrated by God.
• before you (לפניך - lefaneikha): Signifies that the defeat is observable and evident to Israel, demonstrating God's vindication of them. It also implies the enemy is retreating from their presence.
• they shall come out against you one way (יצאו אליך דרך אחד):
  • one way (דרך אחד - derekh echad): Signifies that the enemies approach in an organized, unified, and singular assault. This indicates a concentrated attack, implying strategic planning and formidable force on the part of the adversaries. It portrays the enemy as focused and determined in their aggression.
• and flee before you seven ways (ינוסו לפניך שבעה דרכים):
  • flee (ינוסו - yānûsū): To run away, to escape in terror. This signifies panic, disarray, and a complete loss of composure and will to fight. It underscores the utter rout.
  • seven ways (שבעה דרכים - shiv'ah derakhim): The number "seven" in Hebrew culture often symbolizes completeness, perfection, totality, or abundance. Here, it denotes a chaotic and comprehensive scattering. The enemy's organized "one way" attack dissolves into total disorder and dispersal in every conceivable direction. It highlights the absolute, overwhelming nature of their defeat and disarray. Their retreat is not orderly but a desperate, scattered flight. This imagery vividly illustrates God's complete triumph over His adversaries.

Deuteronomy 28 7 Bonus section

This promise served as a potent polemic against the prevalent polytheistic beliefs of the nations surrounding Israel. While the Canaanites would sacrifice to various gods of war, storms, and fertility to secure victory or prosperity, Deuteronomy emphatically declares that YHWH alone is the source of all blessings, including national security and success in battle. Israel's victories were not attributed to their superior military or wise leadership alone, but to the explicit intervention of their God, a unique covenantal relationship. Furthermore, the spiritual application of this verse extends to the New Testament believer, who, through Christ, participates in a greater spiritual warfare. Just as God promised to scatter literal enemies for obedience, the New Testament indicates that by submitting to God and resisting the devil, the spiritual enemy will flee (Jas 4:7), signifying an internal and spiritual "seven ways" defeat. The ultimate fulfillment of such promises finds its apex in Christ, who, by His death and resurrection, "disarmed the rulers and authorities... having triumphed over them" (Col 2:15), securing a complete and final victory over sin, death, and spiritual adversaries.

Deuteronomy 28 7 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:7 is a profound promise demonstrating God's sovereign power and His active role as the divine protector and warrior for His covenant people. It highlights that true national security and military triumph do not stem from human strategy, advanced weaponry, or numerical superiority, but entirely from the LORD's direct intervention. The phrase "The LORD will cause" underscores divine agency; it is a gift from God, conditional upon Israel's faithful obedience to His covenant. The contrast between the enemies' organized "one way" assault and their complete disarray and flight in "seven ways" emphasizes the utter and comprehensive nature of the defeat orchestrated by God. This victory is total, visible, and serves as a testament to God's unmatched power, contrasting sharply with the impotent deities of the surrounding nations. While primarily addressing military conquest for ancient Israel, this principle transcends time, applying to believers facing spiritual and life battles today: victory ultimately belongs to the Lord, secured through faith and obedience.