Deuteronomy 33 27

Deuteronomy 33:27 kjv

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Deuteronomy 33:27 nkjv

The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!'

Deuteronomy 33:27 niv

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them!'

Deuteronomy 33:27 esv

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, 'Destroy.'

Deuteronomy 33:27 nlt

The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you.
He drives out the enemy before you;
he cries out, 'Destroy them!'

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 27 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:27 is a powerful declaration of God's enduring nature, His provision of security for His people, and His active role in their deliverance. It proclaims God as the Israelites' eternal sanctuary, offering ultimate safety and constant support. This divine assurance is paired with the promise of His powerful intervention to dispossess their adversaries, enabling their triumph.

Deuteronomy 33 27 Context

Deuteronomy 33:27 is part of Moses' final blessing upon the tribes of Israel, delivered just before his death and the Israelites' entrance into the Promised Land. This blessing, distinct from the Law given earlier, functions as a poetic and prophetic summary of God's covenant faithfulness and future provision for His people. Chapter 33 immediately follows Moses' song of warning (Deu 32) and contrasts by focusing on God's unwavering goodness and the unique blessedness of Israel. The verse provides a foundational assurance for Israel as they prepare to face the challenges of conquering Canaan. Historically, this blessing prepares the weary wilderness generation, and the incoming generation, for the battles ahead by reminding them of God's power and perpetual support against their powerful enemies, the Canaanite nations. It serves as a reminder of their unique relationship with the ever-existent God, setting them apart from the polytheistic societies around them who relied on finite, localized deities.

Deuteronomy 33 27 Word analysis

• The eternal God: Hebrew: Elohim Qedem (אלהים קדם).

  • Elohim (אלהים): Standard Hebrew word for God, signifying power, authority, and divinity.
  • Qedem (קדם): Means "ancient," "former," "before time," or "of old." Emphasizes God's timelessness, pre-existence, and everlasting nature. This contrasts sharply with the limited, temporal deities of other nations. His eternality ensures His unwavering presence and power through all generations and challenges.

• is your dwelling place: Hebrew: Ma'on (מעון).

  • Ma'on (מעון): Denotes a secure habitation, refuge, asylum, or protective abode. It implies a place of safety, rest, and comfort. It's not just a physical location, but a spiritual and existential reality where Israel finds complete security and belonging in God.

• and underneath: Hebrew: Umitachat (ומתחת).

  • Literal spatial indicator, emphasizing position. In this context, it refers to the foundational support beneath, underpinning existence and security. It suggests an unfailing, active support that bears the weight of all burdens.

• are the everlasting arms: Hebrew: Zero'ot 'Olam (זרעות עולם).

  • Zero'ot (זרעות): "Arms." Represents strength, power, support, protection, and embracing care. A metaphor for divine ability and tender might.
  • 'Olam (עולם): "Everlasting," "eternal," "forever." Reinforces the unending, unfailing, and constant nature of God's strength and support. His arms are not temporal or weary, but perpetually powerful.

• He will drive out: Hebrew: Yigārēsh (יגרש).

  • Gārash (גרש): "To drive out," "expel," "dispossess." Indicates forceful removal, suggesting God's active, direct, and powerful intervention to clear the path for His people. It implies a complete victory and establishment in the promised land.

• the enemy: Hebrew: Ōyēb (אויב).

  • Refers collectively to the opposing forces, specifically the Canaanite nations occupying the land.

• before you: Indicates divine action on Israel's behalf, making the path clear and overcoming obstacles in front of them.

• saying, 'Destroy!': Hebrew: Lē'mor Shamad (לאמר שׁמד).

  • Shamad (שׁמד): "To annihilate," "destroy," "utterly remove," "exterminate." This command highlights the severity of God's judgment against the idolatry and depravity of the Canaanite nations, which had reached its full measure (Gen 15:16). It signifies a holy war where God Himself authorizes and commands the complete removal of those who oppose His divine purpose and corrupt the land. This is a difficult truth that reveals God's ultimate authority and righteous judgment against severe evil, rather than random destruction.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The eternal God is your dwelling place": Establishes God as the unchanging, self-existent source of Israel's safety and home. It conveys profound spiritual security that transcends any physical or earthly condition. It's a statement about God's intrinsic nature applied directly to His relationship with Israel, countering any pagan belief in deities tied to specific locations or limited powers.
  • "and underneath are the everlasting arms": This imagery complements the "dwelling place" by specifying the kind of support. It assures foundational, constant, and unwearying strength holding His people up. It speaks to divine immanence—God's close presence and active sustenance. This portrays a God who is not distant but intimately involved, bearing all burdens.
  • "He will drive out the enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy!'": This phrase transitions from God's character and foundational support to His active and fierce involvement in delivering His people. It combines a promise of victory with a specific, intense command. It reveals God as the Divine Warrior who secures His people's inheritance and removes all threats. This aspect is vital for a people about to embark on military conquest, assuring them of divine aid.

Deuteronomy 33 27 Bonus section

The specific language of "everlasting arms" in this verse may have served as a direct theological counter to the prevailing idol worship of Canaan. Pagan gods were often localized, limited, and sometimes portrayed with finite, physical forms or characteristics. Moses' blessing emphasizes a God who is "eternal" (Qedem), transcending time and space, and whose "arms" are "everlasting" (Olam), meaning His power and support never wane, unlike mortal strength or transient deities. This declaration underscores Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy and enduring reliability.

Furthermore, the act of God "driving out" and commanding "destroy!" highlights His role as sovereign over nations and history. This wasn't merely a nationalistic cry for victory but a divinely ordained action as part of God's cosmic plan for a holy nation in a holy land. The Canaanite judgment was directly related to their gross moral depravity, idolatry, and child sacrifice, making the divine command of destruction a righteous execution of justice, and a boundary for the people of God against adopting those practices.

Deuteronomy 33 27 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:27 paints a comprehensive picture of God's relationship with His chosen people, Israel. It underscores His timelessness as "the eternal God," meaning He always has been and always will be, providing an unshakeable foundation for His people. This timeless God serves as "your dwelling place," offering not merely a temporary shelter but a permanent, secure, and intimate home. This highlights a deep sense of belonging and ultimate safety found only in Him, a spiritual refuge that transcends physical location or circumstance.

This divine abode is not passive; "underneath are the everlasting arms." This powerful metaphor evokes imagery of infinite strength and unending support. It signifies God's personal and intimate care, actively sustaining His people through all trials and uncertainties. Whether they faced the daunting task of conquest or the struggles of everyday life, God's unchanging power was their constant undergirding, ensuring they would not fall.

Building on this foundational security and support, the verse moves to God's active role in fulfilling His promises: "He will drive out the enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy!'" This speaks to God as the Divine Warrior. He doesn't just protect, but He proactively clears the path, removing obstacles and enemies who stand in the way of His covenant plan for His people. The command "Destroy!" reflects His righteous judgment against deep-seated evil and the purity required for His people in the land. It assures Israel that their success in conquering the land would not be by their might alone, but by God's irresistible power moving on their behalf, a divine partnership in achieving their destiny.

The practical implications are profound: God's people can rest secure in His unchanging character, lean entirely on His unending strength, and confidently pursue His purposes, knowing He fights their battles and clears their way. This verse serves as a beacon of assurance for all who trust in God's covenant faithfulness.For example, in times of fear or uncertainty, knowing that "the eternal God is your dwelling place" offers a stable refuge. When facing overwhelming challenges, recalling that "underneath are the everlasting arms" reminds us of God's constant, sustaining support. And when confronted by spiritual or earthly adversaries, the promise that "He will drive out the enemy... saying, 'Destroy!'" encourages unwavering faith in His victorious power.