Deuteronomy 7 1

Deuteronomy 7:1 kjv

When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Deuteronomy 7:1 nkjv

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you,

Deuteronomy 7:1 niv

When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations?the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you?

Deuteronomy 7:1 esv

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you,

Deuteronomy 7:1 nlt

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are about to enter and occupy, he will clear away many nations ahead of you: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These seven nations are greater and more numerous than you.

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:1 marks a crucial juncture, opening detailed instructions for Israel as they prepare to enter and inherit the promised land of Canaan. It affirms that the Lord their God will supernaturally bring them into this land and actively drive out seven formidable nations residing there, which are greater in number and strength than Israel. This verse fundamentally outlines the divine initiative and mandate for Israel to take possession of the land through a process of dispossessing its current, wicked inhabitants, fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises.

Deuteronomy 7 1 Context

Deuteronomy 7:1 stands at the beginning of a crucial section (Deuteronomy 7:1-26) detailing the distinct relationship God desires with Israel in the Promised Land. Moses is delivering his final speeches to the generation prepared to cross the Jordan River and conquer Canaan. Having just reiterated the Greatest Commandment – to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and might (Deut 6) – Moses transitions to the practical implications of covenant faithfulness as they enter the land. This verse sets the stage for commands regarding Israel's conduct towards the native inhabitants, specifically requiring their complete expulsion and the destruction of their idolatrous practices. The historical context is critical: Israel is not entering an empty land, but a region populated by culturally and religiously advanced peoples whose "iniquity" (Gen 15:16) had reached a point of divine judgment, mirroring God's earlier judgments on the antediluvian world or Sodom and Gomorrah. The mandate for conquest and eradication of these nations is presented as a holy war, an act of divine judgment and covenant faithfulness, not a blueprint for all future military endeavors.

Deuteronomy 7 1 Word analysis

• When the LORD your God (וַיָּבִיא יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – vayavi YHWH Eloheycha):

  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character, particularly His faithfulness to His promises made to the patriarchs.
  • Eloheycha: "Your God," highlighting the exclusive and intimate covenant relationship between God and Israel. This act of "bringing in" is personal and specifically for them.
  • This phrase stresses divine agency; it is not by Israel's might but God's power and initiative that they will enter and succeed.

• brings you into the land (יָבִיאֲךָ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ – yaviyakha el ha'aretz):

  • Yaviya: A causative verb, meaning "cause to come" or "bring." It underscores that God is the active agent in this historical movement.
  • Ha'aretz: "The land," specifically referring to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7, Gen 26:3, Gen 35:12).

• where you are entering to take possession of it (אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה בָא־שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ – asher atah ba-shammah la-rishtah):

  • Larishtah: From the root ירשׁ (yarash), meaning "to inherit," "to take possession," or "to dispossess." It implies the prior occupants will be displaced for Israel to occupy their place. This isn't just "settling"; it's a legal act of claiming what God has allotted to them.
  • The dual meaning emphasizes Israel's role: to actively "take possession" by dispossessing the prior inhabitants.

• and clears away many nations before you (וְנָשַׁל גּוֹיִם רַבִּים מִפָּנֶיךָ – venashal goyim rabbim mipanecha):

  • Venashal: From the root נשל (nashal), meaning "to strip off," "to pluck out," "to dislodge," or "to remove." It implies a forceful and thorough expulsion or removal, like pulling up plants by the root or shedding a skin. It is an active and decisive action by God.
  • Goyim rabbim: "Many nations." Emphasizes the significant challenge, validating Israel's perception of their weakness, yet affirming God's omnipotence.

• the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites (הַחִתִּי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי – haHitti v'haGirgashi v'ha'Emori v'haKna'ani v'haPrizzi v'haHivvi v'haYevusi):

  • This specific enumeration of seven nations is significant. Seven often denotes completion or perfection in biblical numerology. Here, it conveys the totality of the conquest task and divine judgment upon these particular peoples. They represent the full scope of resistance God would overcome.
  • These were known, distinct ethnic groups inhabiting the land of Canaan, each with their own territorial domains and cultural practices.

• seven nations more numerous and mightier than yourselves (שִׁבְעָה גוֹיִם רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים מִמֶּךָ – shiv'ah goyim rabbim va'atzumim mimmeka):

  • Shiv'ah: "Seven." Explicitly stated for emphasis on their number and the divine promise of overcoming all of them.
  • Rabbim va'atzumim mimmeka: "More numerous and mightier than you." This stark comparison highlights Israel's military inferiority. It underscores that any success in conquering the land would be solely due to God's intervention and not Israel's strength, fostering humility and trust in Him (Deut 9:1-3, Ps 44:2-3). This also guards against self-glory and reminds Israel that the victory is God's.

Deuteronomy 7 1 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the seven nations and their formidable nature serves as a continuous reminder of Israel's dependence on God throughout the conquest narrative (e.g., in Deut 9:1-3, God reminds them of their own weakness). This specific set of seven nations is a common listing in the Pentateuch (Exo 3:8, 23:23, 33:2, 34:11; Num 13:29), emphasizing the consistency of God's mandate. The Girgashites are sometimes omitted in other lists, or other names are occasionally substituted, but the "seven-nation" figure remains symbolic of completeness. The dispossession of these nations for their iniquity also foreshadows a broader biblical theme: God's ultimate judgment on all unrighteousness, culminating in the end-times where wickedness will be purged from the earth for a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells (Rev 21:1-4). This also highlights God's ownership of the entire earth (Psa 24:1), having the sovereign right to appoint nations their boundaries (Acts 17:26) and remove them according to His timetable and justice.

Deuteronomy 7 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:1 sets the tone for Israel's entry into the Promised Land. It immediately establishes that the entire process of conquest and settlement is a divinely orchestrated event, emphasizing God's sovereignty and initiative. Moses reiterates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by actively "bringing" Israel into the land He promised. Crucially, the verse underscores Israel's inadequacy for the task; the enumerated "seven nations" are explicitly stated as "more numerous and mightier," leaving no room for human boast. This highlights that their victory would be a testament to the Lord's power, not their military prowess. The purpose of "clearing away" these nations is rooted in divine judgment upon their widespread idolatry, moral depravity, and abominable practices (Lev 18:24-30), creating a holy space for God's chosen people to dwell and be a distinctive nation dedicated to Him. This command also establishes a clear boundary: Israel's holy calling necessitates their separation from the contaminating influence of these pagan cultures. It is a unique historical act of divine judgment and does not provide a general warrant for all forms of religious warfare.

• Example 1: When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, remembering that God's power is infinitely greater than our obstacles. Just as He "cleared away" mighty nations for Israel, He can remove spiritual or physical barriers for His purposes.
• Example 2: Recognizing that divine commands, though sometimes difficult to comprehend from a human perspective, are rooted in God's perfect justice and holy character, serving a larger redemptive plan.