Deuteronomy 7 18

Deuteronomy 7:18 kjv

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

Deuteronomy 7:18 nkjv

you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:

Deuteronomy 7:18 niv

But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.

Deuteronomy 7:18 esv

you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt,

Deuteronomy 7:18 nlt

But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 18 Meaning

This verse commands the Israelites not to be intimidated by the nations dwelling in Canaan. Instead, it urges them to diligently recall and meditate on the mighty acts the LORD their God performed against Pharaoh and all of Egypt. This remembrance serves as the foundational reason for their fearlessness, rooting their confidence in God's demonstrated power and faithfulness rather than their own strength or the perceived strength of their enemies.

Deuteronomy 7 18 Context

Verse Context: Deuteronomy 7:18 follows immediately after verse 17, where the Israelites are told, "If you say in your heart, 'These nations are more numerous than I, how can I dispossess them?'" Verse 18 directly addresses this potential fear and provides the solution: the remembrance of God's mighty acts. It pivots from acknowledging Israel's human inclination to doubt to prescribing a divine antidote for that doubt.

Chapter Context: Deuteronomy Chapter 7 outlines God's strict commands regarding the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It mandates the complete destruction of the indigenous populations (Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) and forbids covenants or intermarriage with them. This is because these nations and their idolatry pose a severe spiritual threat to Israel's purity and covenant faithfulness. The chapter emphasizes that Israel's success is not due to their numbers or strength (as the Canaanite nations are explicitly stated to be greater) but purely by the LORD's choice, love, and mighty hand. The repeated theme is that God will drive out these strong nations for Israel, demanding faith and obedience, not fear.

Historical Context: Moses delivers these instructions on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, to the new generation of Israelites born in the wilderness. The generation that exited Egypt had mostly perished due to unbelief, particularly their fear of the Canaanites at Kadesh Barnea (Num 13-14). Now, this new generation stands on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. They are about to face powerful, well-established kingdoms, likely vastly outnumbering them and possessing superior military technology. Remembering the Exodus from Egypt was crucial because it was God's greatest display of power against the then-dominant global empire, validating His ability to conquer any enemy. This command served as a direct preventative measure against the faithless fear that had afflicted their parents.

Deuteronomy 7 18 Word analysis

• You shall not be afraid (לֹא תִירָא - lo tira): This is a strong, negative command, prohibiting fear as a direct consequence of contemplating the superior strength or numbers of their enemies. The root verb yare' (יָרֵא) can mean both "to fear" (in a negative sense of dread) and "to revere" (in a positive sense of awe before God). Here, it specifically means to be terrified or filled with dread concerning their adversaries, which would lead to paralysis and disobedience. The command emphasizes that such fear is contrary to faith in Yahweh.
• of them (מֵהֶם - mehem): Refers directly to "these nations" mentioned in Deut 7:17, identified as seven peoples "greater and mightier" than Israel in Deut 7:1. The command directly addresses the practical reality of Israel facing a daunting military and demographic challenge.
• remember well (זָכֹר תִּזְכֹּר - zakhor tizkor): This is an emphatic infinitival absolute construction, common in Hebrew, which intensifies the verb. It translates as "surely remember," "diligently remember," or "remember again and again." It is not a casual recollection but an active, conscious, and repeated effort to bring to mind, to internalize, and to never forget. This type of remembrance is meant to shape one's mindset and actions, turning it into a living reality. It implies contemplation and learning from history.
• what the LORD your God (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - asher asah YHWH Eloheikha):
  • what... did (asher asah): Points to God's past actions and historical interventions. The focus is on God's objective, verifiable works.
  • the LORD (YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness to His promises, and His transcendent nature as the one who brings things into being and fulfills His word.
  • your God (Eloheikha): Personalizes the divine relationship. It highlights that this mighty God is specifically Israel's God, bound to them by covenant and committed to their welfare. This phrase serves to strengthen their assurance.
• to Pharaoh (לְפַרְעֹה - lepharaoh): Pharaoh was not merely a king but considered a god and the personification of Egypt's power, wealth, and military might. His defeat was a public humiliation for Egypt's pantheon and a decisive demonstration of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers and their supposed deities.
• and to all Egypt (וּלְכָל מִצְרָיִם - u'lekol mitzrayim): The victory was not limited to Pharaoh alone, but encompassed the entire Egyptian kingdom—its army (the elite chariots at the Red Sea), its land (the plagues affecting livestock, crops, and people), and its gods (the judgments upon Egyptian deities, e.g., Exod 12:12). This signifies a complete and total victory, demonstrating God's comprehensive power. The specific mention of "all Egypt" highlights that God’s triumph was total, affecting every aspect of their society and dispelling any notion of the strength of their gods.

Words-group analysis:

• "You shall not be afraid of them; remember well...": This juxtaposition creates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Fear is countered by deliberate remembrance. It is a theological and psychological command; fearlessness is not innate but cultivated through recalling God's acts. The "them" signifies human limitations and the vastness of the challenge, which is then dwarfed by the power of the "LORD your God."
• "what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt": This phrase encapsulates God's most significant, foundational act of deliverance for Israel. It establishes a pattern for future trust: God, who conquered the mightiest empire and its gods, can certainly handle the seemingly formidable, but smaller, Canaanite powers. It highlights a divine precedent for victory in the face of overwhelming odds. This acts as both encouragement and a stark warning to other nations about Yahweh's power.

Deuteronomy 7 18 Bonus section

The specific choice of "Pharaoh and all Egypt" for remembrance is highly significant because the Exodus event was the ultimate proof of Yahweh's identity as the one true God over all other gods (Exo 12:12, Num 33:4). The defeat was not merely political or military but also a direct theological challenge and triumph over the elaborate Egyptian religious system and its deities, including Ra (sun god, manifested through Pharaoh), Hapi (Nile god), and others associated with aspects of the plagues. Therefore, remembering this event solidified Israel's monotheistic conviction and God's supreme authority, directly countering the allure and fear of the Canaanite gods and their powerful proponents. This historical precedent gave the Israelites the theological confidence to understand that no false god or earthly power could stand against the God who utterly dismantled Egypt.

Deuteronomy 7 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:18 is a pivotal verse that anchors Israel's commanded fearlessness in God's historical actions. It directly addresses the natural human tendency to be overwhelmed by superior forces, reminding Israel that their battle is not reliant on their military strength or numbers, but on the enduring power and faithfulness of their covenant God. The command "you shall not be afraid" is absolute, stemming not from naive optimism but from a concrete, historical reality: the comprehensive victory over Egypt. The emphasis on "remember well" (zakhor tizkor) is crucial, implying an active, deep, and continuous mental engagement with God's past works. This is not passive recall, but a spiritual discipline designed to cultivate unwavering trust.

God’s triumph over Pharaoh and Egypt serves as the ultimate proof and template. Egypt, then the world’s superpower, along with its pantheon of deities, was utterly humiliated by Yahweh. If God could break the iron grip of such a formidable oppressor and liberate an enslaved people, He can certainly enable Israel to dispossess nations comparatively weaker. This verse establishes a core principle for all of God's people throughout history: past demonstrations of God's power and faithfulness are the surest antidote to present anxieties and future uncertainties. It shifts the focus from perceived threats to the unchanging, all-powerful nature of God. The instruction fosters not just military courage but also spiritual discernment, recognizing that any human power is subordinate to the LORD, their God.

Examples for practical usage:

• When facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, remember specific instances where God delivered you or others miraculously.
• Recall and meditate on key biblical accounts of God's intervention when feelings of fear or inadequacy arise.
• Use journaling or recounting testimonies to solidify memories of God's faithfulness in your own life and in history.