Deuteronomy 19:1

KJV

¶ When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;

KJV (with Strong's)

When the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath cut off {H3772} the nations {H1471}, whose land {H776} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee, and thou succeedest {H3423} them, and dwellest {H3427} in their cities {H5892}, and in their houses {H1004};

Complete Jewish Bible

"When ADONAI your God cuts off the nations whose land ADONAI your God is giving you, and you take their place and settle in their cities and houses,

Berean Standard Bible

When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses,

American Standard Version

When Jehovah thy God shall cut off the nations, whose land Jehovah thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 19:1 serves as a pivotal preamble, setting the stage for a critical body of laws concerning justice and communal order within the promised land. Moses, addressing the Israelites on the plains of Moab, projects forward to a future reality where the nation has successfully completed the conquest of Canaan, dispossessed its inhabitants, and settled securely in their inherited cities and homes. This verse fundamentally underscores God's sovereign initiative and unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, establishing the essential context for the subsequent detailed regulations regarding the cities of refuge and the broader administration of justice in a settled, divinely-ordered society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 19:1 marks a significant and deliberate transition within the Deuteronomic discourse. It immediately follows the extensive exposition of covenant stipulations, blessings, and curses found in chapters 12-18, which broadly outline the principles of worship, governance, and prophetic guidance for Israel in the land. Specifically, chapter 18 concludes with the promise of a prophet like Moses, emphasizing the ongoing need for divine instruction. Deuteronomy 19:1 then introduces a new legal corpus (chapters 19-26) that shifts from general principles to specific civil and criminal laws, beginning with the crucial institution of the cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:2-13). The introductory "When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations..." establishes a future, settled state of Israel as the prerequisite for these laws to be implemented, moving the focus from the theoretical framework of the covenant to the practical administration of justice in the land God is actively giving them. This verse acts as a bridge, grounding the detailed legal provisions that follow in the foundational reality of God's fulfilled promise of inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting places the Israelites on the plains of Moab, on the cusp of entering the land of Canaan after forty years of wilderness wandering. Moses, now an old man, is delivering his final, impassioned addresses to a new generation, reiterating and expounding upon the Mosaic Law to prepare them for life in a settled land. Historically, the conquest of Canaan involved the divinely mandated expulsion of various Canaanite tribes, a judgment against their profound idolatry and moral depravity, as explicitly stated in passages like [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites") and [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Abominations of the Land"). Culturally, ancient Near Eastern societies possessed various forms of legal codes and justice systems (e.g., Code of Hammurabi), but Israel's system, as presented in Deuteronomy, was uniquely rooted in divine revelation and covenant obligations. The concept of "cities of refuge" (introduced immediately after this verse) was a distinctive and merciful provision, offering a nuanced approach to justice that carefully distinguished between intentional murder and accidental homicide, a legal distinction not always as clearly or mercifully drawn in surrounding cultures. The promise of dwelling in "their cities, and in their houses" speaks to the tangible, permanent inheritance God was providing, marking a profound contrast with their nomadic past and signifying a new, stable phase of national life.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 19:1 powerfully introduces and reinforces several key themes that resonate throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. First, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that it is "the LORD thy God" who will "cut off the nations" and "giveth thee" their land. This underscores God's absolute control over history, His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the [promised land](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"), and His active role in bringing His purposes to fruition. Second, it speaks to **Conquest and Inheritance**, describing the process of Israel succeeding the previous inhabitants and dwelling in their established cities and houses. This points to the tangible reality of the inheritance God was providing, not just a nomadic existence but a settled life with established infrastructure, as foreshadowed in [Exodus 23:23-31](/exodus/23 "Exodus 23 - Laws and Promises for the Conquest"). Third, the verse serves as a **Preparation for Justice and Order**, setting the stage for detailed laws, particularly those concerning unintentional homicide and the establishment of safe havens. It signifies a transition from the period of conquest to the establishment of a just and ordered society under God's law, reflecting the divine expectation for a holy nation whose wisdom and understanding would be evident to all (cf. [Deuteronomy 4:5-8](/deuteronomy/4-5 "Deuteronomy 4:5-8 - Israel's Wisdom and Understanding")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This verb (H3772) denotes a decisive act of severing, destroying, or terminating. In this context, it refers to God's divinely orchestrated judgment and expulsion of the Canaanite nations from the land. It implies a complete and irreversible removal, emphasizing God's power and justice in clearing the way for Israel's inheritance. This is not merely a military victory by Israel, but a sovereign act of God to fulfill His promises and execute judgment against the wickedness of the inhabitants.
* **Giveth (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This verb (H5414) consistently highlights God as the ultimate source of Israel's blessings and inheritance. The land is not something Israel earns or takes by its own strength alone, but a gracious gift from the Lord. This emphasizes the covenantal nature of their possession, reminding Israel that their dwelling in the land is contingent upon God's generosity and their faithful obedience to His commands. It underscores divine initiative and provision.
* **Succeedest (Hebrew, _yârash'_):** This verb (H3423) means to occupy by driving out previous tenants and possessing in their place, or to inherit. Here, it describes Israel's active role in taking possession of the land after God has cleared the way. It signifies the transfer of ownership and the establishment of Israel as the rightful inhabitants, fulfilling the long-standing promise of inheritance. This implies both dispossessing and inheriting, a dual action that brings them into their promised dwelling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations":** This opening clause establishes the essential precondition for the laws that follow. It is a future-oriented statement, looking ahead to the successful completion of the conquest. The agent of this decisive action is explicitly "the LORD thy God," underscoring divine sovereignty and power in the expulsion of the Canaanite inhabitants. This emphasizes that Israel's success is ultimately God's work of judgment against the wickedness of those nations, clearing the path for His people.
* **"whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee":** This phrase further emphasizes God's active and gracious role. The land is not merely conquered but explicitly *given* by God. This highlights the concept of divine inheritance and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, where God bestows the land upon His chosen people as a gift. The repetition of "the LORD thy God" reinforces the divine initiative, ownership, and generosity, reminding Israel that their possession is a result of His faithfulness.
* **"and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;":** This final clause describes the tangible outcome of God's action and Israel's subsequent obedience. "Succeedest them" implies taking full possession and displacing the former inhabitants, establishing Israel's new dominion. "Dwellest in their cities, and in their houses" paints a vivid picture of settled life, moving beyond the nomadic existence of the wilderness. It signifies the full realization of the promised inheritance, where Israel would inhabit established communities and homes, ready to build a society governed by God's righteous laws.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 19:1 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as the verse looks ahead to a future state of settled possession, thereby setting the essential context and precondition for the detailed laws that will govern this new reality. The strategic **Repetition** of "the LORD thy God" (occurring twice in this concise verse) serves to powerfully emphasize divine agency, sovereignty, and faithfulness, reminding the audience that the conquest and inheritance are fundamentally God's work, not merely human achievement. The phrase "cut off the nations" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "nations" stands for the people groups inhabiting those nations, highlighting their complete and decisive removal. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Conditional Clause**, introduced by the temporal adverb "When," establishing a future scenario that will trigger the applicability and necessity of the subsequent legal statutes. This "when...then" structure is characteristic of legal and covenantal texts, clearly defining the circumstances under which the divine commands are to be applied, emphasizing the practical implications of Israel's settled state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 19:1 is rich with profound theological significance, primarily underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign control over the unfolding of history. The act of "cutting off the nations" is a powerful demonstration of divine judgment against unrighteousness and moral depravity, while the act of "giving" the land to Israel is a profound expression of divine grace, covenant love, and boundless generosity. This verse sets the stage for the establishment of a just and ordered society, revealing God's multifaceted character as both righteous judge and merciful provider. It teaches a crucial principle: divine blessing comes with divine responsibility. The possession of the land necessitates adherence to God's holy laws, particularly those pertaining to justice, the sanctity of human life, and the compassionate treatment of others, reflecting the very character of the God who has blessed them.

* [Numbers 33:50-56](/numbers/33-50-56 "Numbers 33:50-56 - Instructions for Dispossessing the Inhabitants")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43-45 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Every Promise")
* [Psalm 105:42-45](/psalms/105-42-45 "Psalm 105:42-45 - God's Covenant Faithfulness and Israel's Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 19:1, though deeply rooted in ancient Israel's specific historical and covenantal context, offers profound and enduring truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a faithful God who meticulously fulfills His promises, often in ways that require our patient trust, active obedience, and courageous participation. Just as He sovereignly prepared a physical inheritance for Israel, He has prepared an even greater spiritual inheritance for us in Christ, a new dwelling place in His eternal kingdom. This verse also highlights the crucial principle that divine blessing inevitably comes with divine responsibility. Once settled in the land, Israel was immediately called to establish a society governed by divine justice and righteousness, particularly concerning the sanctity of human life and the protection of the vulnerable. For us today, receiving God's immeasurable grace and spiritual blessings in Christ means we are called to live justly, righteously, and compassionately in the world, actively reflecting God's character to a watching world. Our "dwelling" in Christ's kingdom is not a passive experience but an active call to embody His values, extend His justice and mercy to others, uphold the sanctity of life, and earnestly seek reconciliation in a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to ancient Israel encourage and strengthen your faith in His promises for your own life today?**
* **What spiritual "nations" or persistent obstacles might God be actively "cutting off" in your life to bring you into a place of greater spiritual inheritance, freedom, or purpose?**
* **What specific responsibilities and ethical obligations come with the spiritual "cities and houses" (i.e., the blessings, gifts, and positions of influence) that God has graciously entrusted to you?**
* **How does the emphasis on God's absolute sovereignty in giving the land shape your understanding of stewardship, justice, and your role in promoting righteousness within your own life and community?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important that "the LORD thy God" is mentioned twice in this short verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "the LORD thy God" in Deuteronomy 19:1 is a highly significant literary and theological device. It powerfully emphasizes God's absolute **sovereignty** and **agency** in the fulfillment of His covenant promises. It underscores that the conquest of the nations and the giving of the land to Israel are not merely human endeavors or military achievements, but are fundamentally divine acts. This repetition serves to remind the Israelites, and us, that God is the primary mover and sustainer of history, the one who initiates and completes His purposes. It highlights His unwavering faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")) and His active, personal involvement in the life of His people, reinforcing that their inheritance is a gracious gift from Him, not something earned by their own might or righteousness (see also [Deuteronomy 9:4-6](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - Not by Your Righteousness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 19:1, while speaking of a physical land and a historical conquest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "cutting off of the nations" and the "giving of the land" to Israel serve as powerful Old Testament types foreshadowing God's greater, spiritual work of establishing an eternal kingdom and providing an incorruptible inheritance through Jesus Christ. Just as God cleared the land for His chosen people, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and triumphant resurrection, has decisively "cut off" the power of sin, death, and the spiritual "nations" that enslaved humanity, triumphing over all principalities and powers (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He has secured for all believers a spiritual inheritance, not merely a physical land, but "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven" (as beautifully described in [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "An Incorruptible Inheritance")). We "succeed" in Christ by being made co-heirs with Him through faith (cf. [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")) and "dwell in His cities and houses" by being incorporated into His spiritual body, the Church, which is now His dwelling place and the new Jerusalem (see [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Fellow Citizens with the Saints") and [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "The New Jerusalem")). Furthermore, the justice system introduced immediately after Deuteronomy 19:1, particularly the cities of refuge, points typologically to Christ Himself, who is our ultimate refuge, our perfect High Priest, and the righteous administrator of divine justice and boundless mercy, providing complete atonement for our sins and an eternal haven for our souls (cf. [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hope as an Anchor") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 12:29

When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;

Deuteronomy 6:10

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

Deuteronomy 7:1

¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Deuteronomy 17:14

¶ When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that [are] about me;

Deuteronomy 12:1

¶ These [are] the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.