Deuteronomy 9 5

Deuteronomy 9:5 kjv

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9:5 nkjv

It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9:5 niv

It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9:5 esv

Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9:5 nlt

It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9 verses

Deuteronomy 9 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 9:5 explains that Israel's inheritance of the land of Canaan is not due to any inherent righteousness or moral uprightness on their part. Instead, God dispossesses the nations living there for two primary reasons: first, as a righteous judgment against the deep wickedness and idolatry of those nations; and second, to fulfill the unconditional oath He swore to their patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, centuries earlier. The verse highlights God's sovereign justice and His covenant faithfulness as the sole foundations for Israel's entry and settlement in the promised land, thereby removing any basis for Israel's self-merit or pride.

Deuteronomy 9 5 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 9 is a powerful theological statement delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter and conquer the promised land of Canaan. This chapter directly addresses the danger of spiritual pride and self-righteousness. Moses preemptively corrects any potential misconception that Israel's impending success in possessing the land would be a result of their own goodness or merit. Instead, he underscores that their victory is wholly an act of divine grace and judgment.

Verse 5, specifically, encapsulates this central message, immediately after Moses warns against boasting (v. 4) and before he recounts Israel's persistent rebellions and failures throughout their wilderness journey (vv. 6-24), notably the golden calf incident (vv. 8-21). Historically and culturally, the Canaanite nations were deeply steeped in practices deemed abhorrent by Yahweh, including child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and various forms of divination and magic. God had promised Abraham centuries before that He would wait until the "iniquity of the Amorite" was full (Gen 15:16) before bringing judgment through Israel. Thus, Israel's conquest was simultaneously God's righteous judgment against severe unrighteousness and the faithful fulfillment of His covenantal word. This verse directly combats any notion that Israel earned their blessing or was inherently superior, emphasizing instead God's character as the basis for His actions.

Deuteronomy 9 5 Word analysis

• Not for your righteousness (לֹא בְצִדְקָתְךָ lōʾ v'ṣidqathekha): This phrase immediately dismisses Israel's merit. Tsidqah (צִדְקָה) means righteousness, justice, or right behavior. Moses emphasizes that their obedience or good deeds are not the basis for their inheritance. This serves as a polemic against human self-sufficiency and moral boasting. It highlights that the divine action stems from God's nature, not human performance.
• or for the uprightness of your heart (אוּבְיֹ֣שֶׁר לְבָֽבְךָ֔ ʾūvəyōsher lĕvavəkha): This complements the preceding phrase, ruling out even an inward sincerity or spiritual purity as the reason. Yosher (יֹשֶׁר) signifies straightness, integrity, or moral uprightness, particularly of one's inner disposition (levav - heart). Even if Israel might claim inward goodness, this too is negated as the cause.
• are you going to possess their land (לָרֶ֥שֶׁת אֶת־אַרְצָֽם lāreshet ʾet-ʾarṣām): Yarash (יָרַשׁ) means to inherit, to take possession of, often implying violent conquest in this context. It's the action of securing the land promised by God. The direct and declarative tone signifies that Israel's occupancy of Canaan is contingent on divine prerogative, not their own.
• but for the wickedness of these nations (כִּ֣י בְרִשְׁעַת֩ הַגּוֹיִ֨ם הָאֵ֜לֶּה kī v'rishʾat hagoyim hāʾēleh): This introduces the first true reason for God's action. Rishʿat (רִשְׁעַת) refers to wickedness, guilt, or depravity, often in opposition to righteousness. The "nations" (goyim) specifically refers to the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, and others inhabiting the land. This highlights God's role as a just judge, executing judgment on societies whose sins had reached their full measure. It affirms His holy character and cosmic justice.
• the LORD your God is driving them out from before you (יהוה֩ אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ מֽוֹרִ֥ישׁ אוֹתָ֛ם מִפָּנֶֽיךָ Yahweh ʾEloheykha morish ʾotām mipaneikha): Morish (מוֹרִישׁ) means causing to possess, or dispossessing, in the hiphil (causative) stem. This emphasizes God as the active agent, the one who initiates and carries out the expulsion. It asserts God's sovereignty and omnipotence over all peoples and lands. The phrase "from before you" stresses that Israel is the beneficiary, not the meritorious cause, of this divine intervention.
• and in order to confirm the oath (וּלְמַ֣עַן הָקִ֗ים אֶת־הַדָּבָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֜ע ūlemaʿan hāqīm ʾet-haddāvar ʾasher nishbaʿ): This provides the second reason for the conquest – God's faithfulness. Haqīm (הָקִים) means to confirm, establish, or fulfill. The word davar (דָּבָר) often refers to "word" or "matter," but here contextually points to the divine promise or oath (shevuʿah, שְׁבוּעָה - "oath" - in the verse structure indicates this connection more explicitly than "davar" itself). This underlines God's unwavering commitment to His prior promises.
• which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (יהוה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶ֑ם לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּלְיַעֲקֹֽב Yahweh laʾavoteykhem lĕʾavraham lĕyiṣḥāq ūlĕyaʿaqov): The specific mention of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob links the current event directly to the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12, 15, 17, 26, 28), which contained unconditional promises of land and descendants. God's oath signifies the ultimate reliability and unchangeable nature of His word. His action demonstrates divine fidelity, irrespective of Israel's current or past behavior.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart": This opening phrase emphatically denies Israel's merit. It is a powerful theological declaration, a pre-emptive strike against human pride. It communicates that blessings are rooted in God's character and plan, not human worthiness, setting the stage for the Gospel's message of salvation by grace.
• "but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you": This segment reveals God's divine justice. It demonstrates that God tolerates evil only for a season and ultimately brings judgment on deep-seated unrighteousness. This aspect portrays God as righteous Judge, clearing the land for a holy purpose.
• "and in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob": This final part underscores God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises. The covenant with the patriarchs was unconditional, demonstrating God's initiative and steadfast love. It shows that God's grand plan unfolds according to His pre-ordained word, demonstrating His immutable character and historical trustworthiness.

Deuteronomy 9 5 Bonus section

This verse offers a profound theological precursor to the New Testament concept of salvation by grace through faith. Just as Israel inherited the land not by works or merit but by God's choice and faithfulness, believers today receive spiritual inheritance (eternal life, fellowship with God) not by their own righteousness or good deeds, but solely by God's unmerited favor and His fulfillment of His covenant in Christ. The concept that God's people are unworthy of His blessings is a consistent thread throughout scripture. This verse serves as a crucial reminder against self-righteousness, not only for ancient Israel but for every generation of believers, urging humility and dependence upon God's gracious provision. It also illuminates the terrifying reality of divine judgment for persistent and widespread sin.

Deuteronomy 9 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:5 is a foundational verse that establishes key theological truths for Israel and, by extension, for all who seek to understand God's relationship with humanity. It unequivocally discredits any notion that Israel's possession of the promised land was earned by their own merit or moral superiority. Instead, it positions their inheritance as a twofold demonstration of God's character: His perfect justice in judging the extreme wickedness of the Canaanite nations, and His absolute faithfulness in upholding His covenant oath made unconditionally to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This humbling declaration served as a crucial lesson for Israel: their favored status was by divine election and grace, not inherent virtue. This prevented nationalistic pride and encouraged ongoing reliance on God's sustaining power and unmerited favor. The divine act of "driving them out" is active and forceful, showing God's sovereign hand in history, ensuring that His judgments and promises come to pass. The fulfillment of the patriarchal oath emphasizes that God's word is reliable, eternally binding, and unfolds according to His own will, not contingent upon human performance.

In essence, the verse is a vivid illustration that God acts not based on what we deserve, but on His perfect character – His justice against sin and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.