King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But the land, whither ye go to possess it, [is] a land of hills and valleys, [and] drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
Complete Jewish Bible:
But the land you are crossing over to take possession of is a land of hills and valleys, which soaks up water when rain falls from the sky.
Berean Standard Bible:
But the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks in the rain from heaven.
American Standard Version:
but the land, whither ye go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But the land{H776}, whither ye go{H5674} to possess{H3423} it, is a land{H776} of hills{H2022} and valleys{H1237}, and drinketh{H8354} water{H4325} of the rain{H4306} of heaven{H8064}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 6:7
- For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Deuteronomy 8:7
- For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Deuteronomy 8:9
- A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
Psalms 65:12
- They drop [upon] the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
Psalms 65:13
- The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
Genesis 27:28
- Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
Psalms 104:10
- ¶ He sendeth the springs into the valleys, [which] run among the hills.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 11:11
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The verse emphasizes that the land which the Israelites are to possess is sustained by the water from heaven, highlighting God's role in providing for His people.
- **Fertility and Bounty:** The description of hills and valleys suggests a varied topography that is conducive to diverse agriculture, indicating the land's fertility and ability to support the nation.
- **Covenantal Relationship:** This verse is part of a larger discourse where Moses is reminding the Israelites of their covenantal relationship with God, which includes the promise of a fruitful land.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Wandering:** Deuteronomy is set at the end of the 40-year wilderness wandering, just before the Israelites are to enter the Promised Land. The book is presented as a series of speeches by Moses to the new generation of Israelites.
- **Covenant Renewal:** Moses is renewing the covenant between God and Israel, reminding them of the laws and commandments they must follow to prosper in the land.
- **Preparation for Conquest:** The Israelites are on the verge of entering Canaan, a land God promised to their ancestors. This verse is part of the preparation, painting a picture of the land they are about to inherit.
- **Contrast with Egypt:** The verse also serves to contrast the land of Canaan with Egypt, which was dependent on the Nile's predictable flooding. Canaan's reliance on rainfall underscores the Israelites' need to trust in God's provision rather than human-controlled irrigation systems.
In summary, Deuteronomy 11:11 is a reflection on the nature of the Promised Land as a gift from God, which requires the Israelites to depend on Him for their sustenance, and serves as a reminder of the special relationship between God and His chosen people as they stand on the brink of a new era in their history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H5674
There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַר
Transliteration: ʻâbar
Pronunciation: aw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. - Strong's Number: H3423
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַשׁ
Transliteration: yârash
Pronunciation: yaw-rash'
Description: or יָרֵשׁ; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H2022
There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הַר
Transliteration: har
Pronunciation: har
Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. - Strong's Number: H1237
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּקְעָה
Transliteration: biqʻâh
Pronunciation: bik-aw'
Description: from בָּקַע; properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains; plain, valley. - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.) - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H4306
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָטַר
Transliteration: mâṭar
Pronunciation: maw-tawr'
Description: from מָטַר; rain; rain. - Strong's Number: H8064
There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
Transliteration: shâmayim
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).