Deuteronomy 31 3

Deuteronomy 31:3 kjv

The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

Deuteronomy 31:3 nkjv

The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said.

Deuteronomy 31:3 niv

The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said.

Deuteronomy 31:3 esv

The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken.

Deuteronomy 31:3 nlt

But the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the LORD promised.

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:3 expresses the divine assurance given to Israel that the LORD God Himself would lead them into the Promised Land. He would go before them, conquer the existing nations, and ensure their inheritance. It also confirms that Joshua, as the divinely appointed leader, would accompany the people and fulfill his role in this divinely orchestrated conquest and settlement, acting in accordance with God's unwavering promise.

Deuteronomy 31 3 Context

Deuteronomy 31 occurs during Moses's final days and speeches to the Israelite nation before his death. He is commissioning Joshua as his successor. The chapter serves as a pivotal moment, transitioning from Moses's leadership to Joshua's. Verse 3 directly addresses the concern of the people, who were about to enter a new and challenging phase of conquest without their long-standing leader. Moses's words reassure them by highlighting God's direct involvement and the divine appointment of Joshua, underscoring that their success hinges not on human strength or individual leadership alone, but on God's active presence and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises regarding the land of Canaan.

Deuteronomy 31 3 Word analysis

• The LORD your God (יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - YHWH Eloheykha):

  • The LORD (YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging nature. This name speaks to His faithfulness to His promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • your God (Eloheykha): Signifies a unique and intimate covenant relationship with Israel. He is not a generic deity but their God. This term highlights ownership, authority, and devoted care.

• himself (הוּא - hu):

  • Pronoun emphasizing direct and personal action. It underscores that God will not merely send an angel or proxy but will be personally present and active in the conquest. This provides strong assurance.

• will cross over (יַעֲבֹר - ya'avor):

  • From the root עבר (avar), meaning "to pass over," "to cross." Here, it denotes movement across a barrier (like the Jordan River) and leadership into new territory. It implies removing obstacles and preparing the way. This echoes God's past actions, such as parting the Red Sea.

• before you (לְפָנֶיךָ - l'phaneykha):

  • Implies leadership, guidance, and protection. God leads the charge, fighting on behalf of His people, not behind them. This position also indicates the guarantee of victory; if God is ahead, success is assured.

• He will destroy (הוּא יַשְׁמִיד - hu yashmid):

  • From the root שׁמד (shamad), meaning "to destroy utterly," "to annihilate." This is a strong verb indicating decisive and complete judgment upon the wicked nations. It highlights God's sovereignty over all peoples and His holiness.

• these nations (אֶת־הַגּוֹיִם - et-haggoyim):

  • Refers to the Canaanite peoples currently occupying the Promised Land, specifically singled out for judgment due to their idolatry and depravity. This reflects God's justice in executing judgment.

• and you will take possession of their land (וִירִשְׁתָּם אֶת־אַרְצָם - v'yirashtam et-artzam):

  • take possession (וִירִשְׁתָּם - v'yirashtam): From the root ירשׁ (yarash), meaning "to inherit," "to possess," "to dispossess." It links back to God's promise to Abraham. Possession is not earned by conquest but given as an inheritance.
  • their land (אֶת־אַרְצָם - et-artzam): The specific land promised generations prior, underscoring the fulfillment of God's covenant oath.

• Joshua also (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הוּא - Yehoshua hu):

  • Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ - Yehoshua): Moses's appointed successor, whose name means "YHWH is salvation" or "YHWH saves." His leadership is affirmed, but crucially, it is secondary and subordinate to God's direct leading.
  • also (הוּא - hu): Again emphasizes direct involvement. Joshua is confirmed as an active human leader.

• will cross over before you (יַעֲבֹר לִפְנֵיכֶם - ya'avor lifneykhem):

  • Repeats the concept of leading. Joshua is the visible, earthly leader who will guide them in practical terms, but still under God's ultimate authority. This signifies continuity of leadership after Moses.

• just as the LORD promised (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה - ka'asher dibber YHWH):

  • promised (דִּבֶּר - dibber): "Spoke," emphasizing a definitive and authoritative declaration. God's word is reliable.
  • This phrase serves as a powerful reminder of God's unfailing faithfulness and integrity. The past promise is the guarantee of future action.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The LORD your God himself will cross over before you.": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and ensures Israel that their success is rooted in God's active, personal presence. It is not merely human might, but YHWH Himself clearing the path.
  • "He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land.": This reveals the sequence and the source of power. God will eliminate the obstacles (the nations), enabling Israel to enter their divinely promised inheritance. It underscores God's judicial authority and His ability to fulfill covenant promises.
  • "Joshua also will cross over before you, just as the LORD promised.": This highlights the interplay between divine action and human agency. Joshua is the divinely appointed leader who will visibly guide Israel, but his leadership is entirely contingent upon and directed by God's promise and prior action. It links the fulfillment directly back to God's trustworthy word, reassuring the people of continuity and divine sanction for Joshua's role.

Deuteronomy 31 3 Bonus section

The concept of "crossing over" (ya'avor) connects linguistically and thematically to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exod 14) and later the Jordan River (Josh 3). It signifies God's power to make a way where there is none, overcoming natural and human barriers. The Lord going "before you" implies not only guidance but also being their battle-leader and protector. This serves as a powerful theological statement: true victory and inheritance in the spiritual realm (the "Promised Land" of the New Covenant believer) similarly depend on Christ going before us, clearing the way, and conquering the adversaries. The phrase "just as the LORD promised" reinforces the crucial biblical theme of God's immutability and faithfulness, which is the ultimate anchor of Israel's hope and every believer's trust. This is a foundational truth for confidence in God's future actions.

Deuteronomy 31 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:3 is a profound statement of assurance, spoken by Moses to a generation poised to enter the Promised Land, facing an uncertain future without his immediate guidance. The verse powerfully centers on God's initiative: "The LORD your God himself will cross over before you." This confirms that the victory and possession of the land will not be by Israel's strength, cunning, or Moses's former leadership, but solely by YHWH's personal and active presence. He is the vanguard, the one who fights the battles, judges the inhabitants, and clears the path. This truth profoundly challenged any human-centric view of their impending conquest, pointing entirely to divine sovereignty.

The inclusion of Joshua is significant: "Joshua also will cross over before you." This acknowledges human leadership but places it squarely within the framework of God's overarching plan and presence. Joshua is the appointed vessel through whom God's work will be realized on earth. He leads because God leads. The concluding phrase, "just as the LORD promised," seals the certainty. It reminds Israel that every aspect of this future conquest and inheritance flows from God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant word, established generations before. This verse therefore encourages courage and trust not in men, but in the faithful and powerful God who always keeps His promises, assuring them that despite Moses's departure, God's plan for them was unhindered.