What was the significance of the "forty years" of wandering before this command was reissued?

The forty years of wandering, though not explicitly mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:7 itself, are the immediate historical backdrop. This period was a divine judgment for the previous generation's disobedience and unbelief, specifically their refusal to enter the Promised Land after the negative report of the spies (as recounted in Numbers 13-14). God declared that the generation who rebelled would die in the wilderness, allowing a new generation to rise and inherit the land. Thus, Moses' reissuing of the command in Deuteronomy 1:7 signifies the end of this punitive delay and the renewed opportunity for the faithful, new generation to fulfill God's original purpose for Israel. It underscores God's justice in judgment but also His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Did Israel ever fully possess the entire territory described, up to the Euphrates River?

While the full extent of the land, from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates, was promised to Abraham (e.g., Genesis 15:18), Israel never fully and consistently occupied this entire maximal territory throughout its history. During the reigns of David and Solomon, Israel's influence and control extended significantly, reaching close to the Euphrates through tributary kingdoms and alliances (e.g., 2 Samuel 8:3 and 1 Kings 4:21). However, this full, permanent occupation was never fully realized. The inclusion of the Euphrates in Deuteronomy 1:7 highlights the generous and comprehensive nature of God's original promise, implying that the full inheritance was contingent on Israel's sustained obedience and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's ideal for His people, even if their historical reality fell short.

1:6 1:6

Deuteronomy 1:7

1:8 1:8

Bible Versions

Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.

Turn {H6437} you, and take your journey {H5265}, and go {H935} to the mount {H2022} of the Amorites {H567}, and unto all the places nigh {H7934} thereunto, in the plain {H6160}, in the hills {H2022}, and in the vale {H8219}, and in the south {H5045}, and by the sea {H3220} side {H2348}, to the land {H776} of the Canaanites {H3669}, and unto Lebanon {H3844}, unto the great {H1419} river {H5104}, the river {H5104} Euphrates {H6578}.

Turn, get moving and go to the hill-country of the Emori and all the places near there in the 'Aravah, the hill-country, the Sh'felah, the Negev and by the seashore - the land of the Kena'ani, and the L'vanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates River.

Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.

turn you, and take your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the South, and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 11:24

Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
Joshua 10:40

So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
1 Chronicles 18:3

And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
1 Chronicles 5:9

And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
Joshua 24:15

¶ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Amos 2:9

¶ Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height [was] like the height of the cedars, and he [was] strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
2 Samuel 8:3

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

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