Deuteronomy 19:8

And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

And if the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} enlarge {H7337} thy coast {H1366}, as he hath sworn {H7650} unto thy fathers {H1}, and give {H5414} thee all the land {H776} which he promised {H1696} to give {H5414} unto thy fathers {H1};

"If ADONAI your God expands your territory, as he swore to your ancestors that he would, and gives you all the land he promised to give to your ancestors -

And if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land He promised them,

And if Jehovah thy God enlarge thy border, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:8 presents a conditional promise from God to the Israelites concerning their future territory. It anticipates a time when the Lord would expand their borders beyond the initial allocation, fulfilling the ancient covenant made with their forefathers. This expansion would necessitate the establishment of additional cities of refuge, as detailed in the preceding verses.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded within the instructions regarding the cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1-10). These cities were designated safe havens for individuals who had accidentally killed someone, protecting them from the immediate vengeance of the victim's next-of-kin. The preceding verses establish three such cities, and verse 8 looks to a future scenario where God's blessing of territorial expansion would require two more. This foresight underscores God's meticulous planning for the welfare and justice within the nation of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The phrase "as he hath sworn unto thy fathers" highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, specifically the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This verse reaffirms that God's word is reliable across generations.
  • Covenant Fulfillment: It speaks to the anticipated full realization of the Abrahamic Covenant concerning the vast extent of the land. While Israel possessed much of the land under Joshua, this verse suggests an even greater inheritance was possible through continued obedience.
  • Territorial Expansion: The idea of God actively "enlarging thy coast" signifies divine blessing and prosperity. This expansion was not merely for power but was tied to God's plan for Israel as a distinct nation.
  • Divine Foresight and Provision: God not only promises the land but also anticipates the logistical and legal needs that would arise with its expansion, demonstrating His comprehensive care for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "enlarge thy coast" uses "coast" in its older English sense, meaning border or territory, rather than land adjacent to the sea. It refers to the full extent of the nation's boundaries. This concept of expanding borders is a direct echo of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, where the land was described as stretching from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 19:8 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God is Faithful to His Promises: Just as God was faithful to His ancient promises to Israel, He remains faithful to His word concerning us. We can trust in His character and the security of His precious and very great promises, which are "Yea and Amen" in Christ.
  • Anticipating God's Blessings: This verse encourages us to live with an expectation of God's blessings and expansion in our lives, whether spiritually, in ministry, or in personal growth. As God enlarged Israel's territory, He can enlarge our capacity for His work and our understanding of His will.
  • Responsibility with Blessing: The expansion of territory came with the responsibility of establishing more cities of refuge. Similarly, when God blesses us, it often comes with increased responsibility to serve others, exercise justice, and live according to His principles.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 15:18

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Genesis 15:21

    And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

  • Deuteronomy 12:20

    When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

  • Exodus 23:31

    And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

  • Exodus 34:24

    For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

  • Genesis 28:14

    And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  • Ezra 4:20

    There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
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