Deuteronomy 7 21

Deuteronomy 7:21 kjv

Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.

Deuteronomy 7:21 nkjv

You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.

Deuteronomy 7:21 niv

Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.

Deuteronomy 7:21 esv

You shall not be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.

Deuteronomy 7:21 nlt

"No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the LORD your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God.

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:21 assures the people of Israel that they should not fear the nations greater and mightier than them, for their strength comes from the unique presence and nature of the LORD their God. It declares that Yahweh, their covenant God, is actively among them, not merely distant, and describes Him as both supremely powerful and awe-inspiring, emphasizing His ability to fight on their behalf and overcome any adversary. This statement is foundational for Israel's trust and obedience as they prepare to conquer Canaan.

Deuteronomy 7 21 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 7 sets out a clear charge from God to Israel as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. After reminding them of their selection not due to merit but God's love (vv. 6-8), the chapter instructs them to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations and their idolatry (vv. 1-5, 16, 22-26) to prevent defilement and turning away from the LORD. Deuteronomy 7:21 is positioned within a section where Moses specifically addresses the fear the Israelites might have regarding the superior numbers and might of the Canaanites (vv. 17-20). The verse acts as a profound assurance: the command to destroy is achievable because of who God is and His active presence among them, not by their own power. It serves as a direct counter-argument to any doubt about Israel's ability to conquer and emphasizes absolute reliance on the LORD. This chapter also heavily emphasizes the monotheistic truth of Yahweh against the prevalent polytheism of the Canaanite worldview, asserting God's unrivaled power and singular claim to worship.

Deuteronomy 7 21 Word analysis

• For the LORD your God (כִּי־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - ki YHWH Eloheikha):
  • For (כִּי - ki): Connects the assurance to the preceding command to not fear, indicating the reason or ground for that command.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and redemptive character. This emphasizes His uniqueness and commitment to Israel. It highlights the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not a generic deity.
  • your God (אֱלֹהֶיךָ - Eloheikha): Implies a deep, personal, covenantal relationship. He is their God, specifically bound to Israel. This contrasts sharply with the polytheistic views of surrounding nations, where multiple deities vied for attention. He is not just a god but the God who chose and belongs to Israel.
  • Significance: This phrase anchors the power and presence not in an impersonal force but in a relational, specific, and self-revealing divine Person who is irrevocably committed to His people. It implicitly counters any belief in the efficacy of pagan deities; Yahweh is Israel's exclusive God, and there is no other true deity.
• is in your midst (בְּקִרְבֶּךָ - b'qirbekha):
  • in your midst (בְּקִרְבֶּךָ - b'qirbekha): "Midst" (qerev) refers to the inward part, the inner body, or the very center of something. In this context, it signifies an active, dynamic, and immanent presence of God within their community, not just a distant, transcendent one. He is personally involved in their affairs, their battles, and their daily lives. This isn't merely conceptual but indicative of His readiness to intervene.
  • Significance: This concept is profoundly encouraging. God isn't merely observing; He is among them. This immanence empowers Israel and promises divine assistance in tangible ways (e.g., sending the hornet ahead, Deut 7:20). However, it also demands holiness and obedience from Israel, as a holy God cannot dwell comfortably among an unholy people.
• a great (גָּדוֹל - gadol):
  • great (גָּדוֹל - gadol): Means large, mighty, preeminent, powerful, excellent. It refers to His supreme power, authority, and superiority over all creation, rulers, and rival deities.
  • Significance: Directly opposes the might of the pagan nations and their gods. No human army or pagan god could rival the "greatness" of Yahweh. He is utterly incomparable in His might and majesty. This directly challenges the Canaanite perception of many gods, some weaker, some stronger; Yahweh is simply the Great God.
• and awesome God (וְנוֹרָא אֱלֹהִים - v'nora Elohim):
  • awesome (וְנוֹרָא - v'nora): Derived from the root yare’, meaning to fear, be afraid. However, nora here means fear-inspiring in a way that produces awe, reverence, and profound respect, not mere terror. It evokes His terrifying majesty for enemies and His protective might for His people. His acts inspire holy dread and wonder.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): A general term for deity, but here applied to Yahweh to underscore His supreme divine nature, universally acknowledged as "God."
  • Significance: His awesome nature serves both as a deterrent to enemies (striking them with dread) and as a foundation for Israel's worship and reverent obedience. This fear is healthy, leading to obedience and avoiding spiritual compromise. It is a powerful polemic against the often mundane or corrupt depictions of pagan gods; Yahweh demands reverence and is worthy of it.

Words-group Analysis:

Deuteronomy 7 21 Bonus section

The emphasis on God being "in your midst" carries a dual implication beyond just empowerment for warfare: it signifies both divine protection and the demand for Israel's purity. A holy God cannot reside among an unholy people without consequence, so this declaration implicitly calls for covenant faithfulness and removal of sin, especially idolatry, to ensure His continued presence and favor. This also foreshadows the New Testament concept of God's indwelling in believers (via the Holy Spirit) and His church. The phrase "great and awesome God" also resonates through the Old Testament, frequently used in prayer and worship, establishing a theological foundation for Israel's unique monotheistic worship distinct from the pantheon of Canaanite deities who were perceived as localized and limited. The repeated assertion of Yahweh's unparalleled nature throughout Deuteronomy serves as a crucial polemic against the polytheistic and animistic worldviews prevalent at the time.

Deuteronomy 7 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:21 is a powerful declaration of God's character and active engagement with His people. It acts as the cornerstone of Moses' exhortation to "not dread them" (v. 18), providing the ultimate assurance that Israel's success in conquering Canaan relies not on their numerical or military strength, but on the nature and presence of their God. The LORD, Yahweh, who is Israel's covenant God, is immanently "in your midst" – a constant, active, and present helper, ready to intervene. This counters the widespread belief in distant, uninterested deities. Furthermore, He is "great and awesome," attributes that negate any perceived power of the Canaanite gods or nations. His "greatness" speaks to His unmatched power and sovereignty, while His "awesomeness" refers to His dread-inspiring majesty that evokes reverential fear from His people and terror in His enemies. This verse underscores the foundational truth that with such a God dwelling among them, no human or spiritual opposition can ultimately prevail. It implies that maintaining this presence through obedience and avoiding idolatry is crucial for continued victory.