TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI will do to them what he did to Sichon and 'Og, the kings of the Emori, and to their land -he destroyed them.
Berean Standard Bible
And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, when He destroyed them along with their land.
American Standard Version
And Jehovah will do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and unto their land; whom he destroyed.
World English Bible Messianic
The LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land; whom he destroyed.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord shall doe vnto them, as he did to Sihon and to Og Kings of the Amorites: and vnto their lande whome he destroyed.
Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah hath done to them as he hath done to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorite, and to their land, whom He destroyed.
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In the KJVVerse 5,733 of 31,102
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Commentary on Deuteronomy 31 verses 1–8
1 ¶ And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Loth to part (we say) bids oft farewell. Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them, fearing that when he had left them they would leave God. He had finished what he had to say to them by way of counsel and exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a word of encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan, in which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that Moses was to be removed at a time when he could so ill be spared: though Joshua was continued to fight for them in the valley, they would want Moses to intercede for them on the hill, as he did, Exo 17:10. But there is no remedy: Moses can no more go out and come in, Deu 31:2. Not that he was disabled by any decay either of body or mind; for his natural force was not abated, Deu 24:7. But he cannot any longer discharge his office; for, 1. He is 120 years old, and it is time for him to think of resigning his honour and returning to his rest. He that had arrived at so great an age then, when seventy or eighty was the ordinary stint, as appears by the prayer of Moses (Psa 90:10), might well think that he had accomplished as a hireling his day. 2. He is under a divine sentence: Thou shalt not go over Jordan. Thus a full stop was put to his usefulness; hitherto he must go, hitherto he must serve, but no further. So God had appointed it and Moses acquiesces: for I know not why we should any of us desire to live a day longer than while God has work for us to do; nor shall we be accountable for more time than is allotted us. But, though Moses must not go over himself, he is anxious to encourage those that must.
I. He encourages the people; and never could any general animate his soldiers upon such good grounds as those on which Moses here encourages Israel. 1. He assures them of the constant presence of God with them (Deu 31:3): The Lord thy God. that has led thee and kept thee hitherto will go over before thee; and those might follow boldly who were sure that they had God for their leader. He repeats it again (Deu 31:6) with an emphasis: "The Lord thy God, the great Jehovah, who is thine in covenant, he it is, he and no less, he and no other, that goes before thee; not only who by his promise has assured thee that he will go before thee; but by his ark, the visible token of his presence, shows thee that he does actually go before thee." And he repeats it with enlargement: "Not only he goes over before thee at first, to bring thee in, but he will continue with thee all along, with thee and thine; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee; he will not disappoint thy expectations in any strait, nor will he ever desert thy interest; be constant to him, and he will be so to thee." This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, for the encouragement of their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them He will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, Heb 13:5. 2. He commends Joshua to them for a leader: Joshua, he shall go over before thee, Deu 31:3. One whose conduct, and courage, and sincere affection to their interest, they had had long experience of; and one whom God had ordained and appointed to be their leader, and therefore, no doubt, would own and bless, and make a blessing to them. See Num 27:18. Note, It is a great encouragement to a people when, instead of some useful instruments that are removed, God raises up others to carry on his work. 3. He ensures their success. The greatest generals, supported with the greatest advantages, must yet own the issues of war to be doubtful and uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong nor to the bold; an ill accident unthought of may turn the scale against the highest hopes. But Moses had warrant from God to assure Israel that, notwithstanding the disadvantages they laboured under, they should certainly be victorious. A coward will fight when he is sure to be a conqueror. God undertakes to do the work - he will destroy these nations; and Israel shall do little else than divide the spoil - thou shalt possess them, Deu 31:3. Two things might encourage their hopes of this: - (1.) The victories they had already obtained over Sihon and Og (Deu 31:4), from which they might infer both the power of God, that he could do what he had done, and the purpose of God, that he would finish what he had begun to do. Thus must we improve our experience. (2.) The command God had given them to destroy the Canaanites (Deu 7:2; Deu 12:2), to which he refers here (Deu 31:5, that you may do unto them according to all which I have commanded you), and from which they might infer that, if God had commanded them to destroy the Canaanites, no doubt he would put it into the power of their hands to do it. Note, What God has made our duty we have reason to expect opportunity and assistance from him for the doing of. So that from all this he had reason enough to bid them be strong and of a good courage, Deu 31:6. While they had the power of God engaged for them they had no reason to fear all the powers of Canaan engaged against them.
II. He encourages Joshua, Deu 31:7, Deu 31:8. Observe, 1. Though Joshua was an experienced general, and a man of approved gallantry and resolution, who had already signalized himself in many brave actions, yet Moses saw cause to bid him be of good courage, now that he was entering upon a new scene of action; and Joshua was far from taking it as an affront, or as a tacit questioning of his courage, to be thus charged, as sometimes we find proud and peevish spirits invidiously taking exhortations and admonitions for reproaches and reflections. Joshua himself is very well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. 2. He gives him this charge in the sight of all Israel, that they might be the more observant of him whom they saw thus solemnly inaugurated, and that he might set himself the more to be an example of courage to the people who were witnesses to this charge here given to him as well as to themselves. 3. He gives him the same assurances of the divine presence, and consequently of a glorious success, that he had given the people. God would be with him, would not forsake him, and therefore he should certainly accomplish the glorious enterprise to which he was called and commissioned: Thou shalt cause them to inherit the land of promise. Note, Those shall speed well that have God with them; and therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he shall flee, and God shall shortly tread him under our feet.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:4 delivers a potent declaration of divine assurance from Moses to the Israelites, standing on the precipice of the Promised Land. This verse serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and consistent character, promising that He will replicate His past, decisive victories against formidable enemies, specifically Sihon and Og, for this new generation as they prepare to confront the inhabitants of Canaan. It is designed to instill courage, bolster faith, and affirm that the God who faithfully led them through the wilderness will continue to fight for them, ensuring their triumph and the ultimate fulfillment of His covenant promises.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:4 prominently employs Analogy or Comparison, drawing a direct and explicit parallel between God's past actions and His promised future deeds. By referencing the recent and powerful defeat of Sihon and Og, Moses uses a known historical event to illustrate the certainty of God's future intervention against the Canaanites. This serves as a potent rhetorical device to instill confidence and banish fear. The verse also utilizes Recapitulation and Remembrance, as Moses, through this declaration, compels the Israelites to recall God's mighty acts, transforming historical memory into a source of present and future assurance. Furthermore, the verse functions as a Divine Assurance or Promise, using declarative and absolute language ("the LORD shall do") to convey the absolute certainty of God's commitment to His covenant people. The use of the strong verb "destroyed" (Hebrew shamad) also provides Emphasis, highlighting the thoroughness and decisiveness of God's judgment and victory, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:4 is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering character and His active, consistent involvement in the history of His people. It underscores the theme of divine consistency: the God who acted powerfully in the past is the same God who will act powerfully in the future. This consistency is deeply rooted in His covenant faithfulness; He is eternally bound by His promises to Israel. The verse also speaks to God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating that no earthly power, however formidable, can stand against His will or thwart His redemptive purposes. The defeat of Sihon and Og was not merely a military victory for Israel, but a divine act of judgment against wicked kingdoms and a clear demonstration of God clearing the way for His chosen people to inherit their promised land. It foreshadows the broader theological principle that God actively fights for His people, not just in physical battles, but against all forms of opposition, whether human or spiritual. This divine intervention is foundational to Israel's identity and their understanding of their inheritance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:4 offers timeless encouragement for believers facing daunting challenges in any era. Just as God demonstrated His power and faithfulness to Israel by decisively defeating Sihon and Og, He remains faithful and consistent in His character and actions towards His people in every generation. When we encounter new "giants" or "fortified cities" in our lives—whether they be personal struggles, professional obstacles, spiritual battles, or societal pressures—this verse calls us to remember God's past deliverances. His track record of faithfulness, both in our own lives, in the rich history of the church, and as meticulously recorded in Scripture, serves as a powerful assurance that He is able and willing to lead us through present difficulties and grant us triumph. It encourages us to trust in His consistent character and divine strength, knowing that the God who has overcome in the past will surely overcome again. This truth empowers us to step into new territories, literal or metaphorical, with courage and faith, confident that the Lord goes before us, clearing the way and securing the victory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are Sihon and Og specifically mentioned here, out of all of Israel's past victories?
Answer: Sihon and Og are specifically mentioned because their defeat was a very recent and tangible demonstration of God's power for the generation about to enter Canaan. Unlike the crossing of the Red Sea, which the older generation experienced, the victories over Sihon and Og occurred just prior to Moses' address, on the east side of the Jordan. These kings were renowned for their strength and the strategic importance of their territories, representing the kind of formidable opposition Israel would soon face. By referencing these specific, recent, and significant victories, Moses provides concrete, undeniable proof of God's ability to overcome powerful enemies, thereby instilling immediate confidence in the Israelites as they prepared to face even greater challenges in Canaan. It served as a powerful psychological and spiritual anchor for a nation on the brink of a monumental task, reminding them that the same God who conquered these powerful Amorite kings would conquer the Canaanites for them, as detailed in Numbers 21:21-35.
Does this verse promote violence or an aggressive worldview for believers today?
Answer: No, this verse does not promote indiscriminate violence or an aggressive worldview for believers today. It must be understood within its specific historical and theological context. This was a unique period in redemptive history where God, as the sovereign Lord of all creation, was executing judgment on exceedingly wicked nations (the Canaanites) whose iniquity was full (Genesis 15:16). Simultaneously, He was fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land. The "holy war" in the Old Testament was a divinely commanded, limited, and specific act of judgment and land acquisition, not a general pattern for all human conflict. For New Testament believers, our warfare is primarily spiritual, against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4), and our mission is to make disciples of all nations, not to conquer them physically.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:4, while rooted in historical Israel's conquest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The consistency of God's character, so central to this verse, culminates perfectly in Christ. Just as God "did" for Israel in defeating physical enemies and clearing the way for their inheritance, He "did" for all humanity in Christ by decisively conquering the ultimate spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil. The "destruction" of Sihon and Og foreshadows Christ's complete triumph over the powers of darkness. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus disarmed and made a public spectacle of the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14-15). For believers today, the assurance of Deuteronomy 31:4 is not merely a historical anecdote but a living reality: the same God who delivered Israel delivers us from the dominion of darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Our "Promised Land" is not a geographical territory, but the spiritual inheritance and eternal life found in Christ, secured by His decisive victory, ensuring that in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).