Deuteronomy 31 4

Deuteronomy 31:4 kjv

And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.

Deuteronomy 31:4 nkjv

And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them.

Deuteronomy 31:4 niv

And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land.

Deuteronomy 31:4 esv

And the LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them.

Deuteronomy 31:4 nlt

"The LORD will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites.

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 4 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:4 assures the Israelites, through Moses, that the LORD, their covenant God, will continue to fight for them as they enter and conquer the land of Canaan. It draws upon the recent, paradigmatic victories over Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings, and their lands east of the Jordan. This verse guarantees God's active involvement in utterly destroying the Canaanite nations, just as He completely eliminated those powerful adversaries, thus clearing the way for Israel to inherit the promised land.

Deuteronomy 31 4 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 31 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history as Moses, having led the people for forty years, prepares to pass on leadership to Joshua. The context of this verse is Moses' final address to the entire congregation, providing encouragement and commands before their entry into Canaan. Chapter 31 specifically deals with the succession of Joshua, the commissioning of the Levites to guard the Law, and the prediction of Israel's future apostasy and eventual return to God. Within this farewell speech, Moses seeks to alleviate the Israelites' fears about the impending conquest of Canaan. He reminds them of God's consistent faithfulness and overwhelming power demonstrated in their recent victories against powerful kings, establishing a precedent for the battles ahead. This specific verse builds Israel's confidence by anchoring their future success in God's proven historical actions.

Deuteronomy 31 4 Word analysis

• And the LORD (וַיהוָה - Yahweh): This is the personal, covenant name of God, YHWH, signifying His faithful, active presence and relationship with Israel. Its use here reinforces that the power and action originate from the same God who led them through the wilderness and made promises to their forefathers. It emphasizes divine agency, not human might.

• will do (יַעֲשֶׂה - ya'aseh from עָשָׂה - 'asah): This verb means to make, do, perform, or accomplish. The future tense "will do" signifies an active, deliberate, and certain future intervention by God on Israel's behalf. It's a guarantee of divine performance, a promise that God will carry out His plan.

• to them (לָהֶם - lahem): This refers to the nations inhabiting Canaan whom Israel is about to dispossess. In the immediate context, these are the various Amorite and other tribal groups whose territories Israel is commanded to conquer. This is a divine judgment against them.

• as he did (כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה - ka'asher 'asah): The phrase "as he did" draws a direct comparison to previous, undeniable historical events. It assures the Israelites that God's character and power remain consistent, and He will repeat His powerful actions in similar circumstances. It anchors future hope in past experience.

• to Sihon and Og (לְסִיחוֹן וּלְעוֹג - leSichon ule'Og): These are specific, powerful kings east of the Jordan, recently defeated by Israel. Sihon was king of the Amorites in Heshbon (Num 21:21-30), and Og was king of Bashan, also of the Amorites (Num 21:33-35). Their mention provides concrete, recent examples of God's overwhelming power, as their armies and fortifications were formidable.

• the kings of the Amorites (מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִי - malkhei ha'Emori): This further identifies Sihon and Og, highlighting their stature and the significance of their defeat. The Amorites were a strong, influential group, and their kings were powerful regional rulers. God's ability to defeat them underscores His omnipotence over all earthly powers.

• and to their land (וּלְאַרְצָם - ule'artzam): This extends the divine judgment beyond merely the kings to their entire dominion and territory. It signifies not just military victory but also the taking of possession of the land, which is crucial for Israel's inheritance. It implies thoroughness—nothing would remain untouched.

• whom he destroyed (אֲשֶׁר הִשְׁמִידָם - asher hishmida from שָׁמַד - shamad): The verb shamad denotes utterly annihilating, wiping out, laying waste, or eradicating. It's a strong word for complete destruction. This is not merely a defeat but a decisive, complete obliteration, emphasizing the totality of God's victory and judgment. It serves as a forceful reminder that no power can stand against God's determined will to fulfill His promises to Israel and judge wickedness.

• "And the LORD will do to them as he did": This phrase group is a declaration of divine constancy and intervention. God's past faithfulness and power are presented as a definitive guarantee for His future actions. It highlights His unchanging character and reliability.

• "Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites": This collective designation focuses on the nature of the immediate past victory—it wasn't just over minor adversaries but over well-established, formidable rulers and their people groups. Their mention invokes a recent, undeniable testament to God's capability and unwavering commitment to His people.

• "and to their land, whom he destroyed": This group emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the divine judgment and the resultant inheritance for Israel. The destruction was not partial but complete, encompassing both rulers and their realms, thereby establishing Israel's claim and future security in the promised territory.

Deuteronomy 31 4 Bonus section

This verse is crucial in bridging Israel's immediate past victories (east of the Jordan) with their impending future conquests (west of the Jordan). It's designed to instill courage in Joshua and the fearful generation about to enter Canaan, who remembered their parents' previous failures due to lack of faith (Num 13-14). The term shamad for "destroyed" highlights the 'herem' concept in early Israelite conquest—the utter devotion to God, often involving the destruction of certain peoples as a judgment and to prevent the spread of idolatry into Israel. This acts as a prophetic reassurance from Moses, demonstrating God's sovereign initiative and setting a precedent that He will personally lead them to victory, echoing His earlier command to "fear not." It reiterates that the land would be taken, not by human might alone, but by divine judgment and power.

Deuteronomy 31 4 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:4 serves as a powerful declaration of assurance and divine sovereignty delivered by Moses to a generation poised to enter a formidable challenge. It directly links God's consistent character and past actions to His promised future intervention. By recalling the recent, overwhelming victories over Sihon and Og, formidable Amorite kings whose lands Israel had conquered, Moses provides a concrete paradigm for the conquest of Canaan. The key lies in understanding that the LORD, Yahweh, Himself would "do" the fighting and "destroy" the enemy nations—not Israel's strength or cunning. This comprehensive destruction, affecting both rulers and their lands, highlights God's absolute power to remove all obstacles to His covenant promises. The verse underpins Israel's courage, shifting their focus from the strength of the enemy to the unmatched power and unwavering faithfulness of their God, who is unchanging in His purpose and able to deliver fully.