Deuteronomy 31:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} shall give them up {H5414} before your face {H6440}, that ye may do {H6213} unto them according unto all the commandments {H4687} which I have commanded {H6680} you.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI will defeat them ahead of you, and you are to do to them just as I have ordered you to do.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will deliver them over to you, and you must do to them exactly as I have commanded you.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah will deliver them up before you, and ye shall do unto them according unto all the commandment which I have commanded you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:5 stands as a powerful divine assurance delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. It unequivocally declares that the LORD Himself will actively deliver the formidable enemy nations into Israel's hands, thereby enabling the Israelites to faithfully execute all the specific commandments God had given them concerning the conquest and the inhabitants of Canaan. This verse profoundly underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, establishing that Israel's success is entirely predicated on His sovereign intervention, coupled with their diligent and obedient response to His divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 31:5 is strategically positioned within Moses' final, poignant address to the generation poised to enter Canaan, just before his death and the formal transfer of leadership to Joshua. This chapter marks a critical transition, as Moses, aware of his impending departure (as foretold in [Deuteronomy 31:2](/deuteronomy/31-2 "Deuteronomy 31:2 - Moses' Impending Death")), commissions Joshua and delivers a final charge to the entire nation. The immediate preceding verses, particularly [Deuteronomy 31:3](/deuteronomy/31-3 "Deuteronomy 31:3 - The LORD Goes Before Israel"), reiterate the LORD's promise to go before Israel and dispossess the nations, setting the theological and narrative stage for the specific and powerful assurance of divine handover found in verse 5. This passage serves as a crucial bridge, emphasizing the continuity of God's purpose and promises despite the change in human leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood at a pivotal moment in their history, facing the daunting task of conquering Canaan, a land inhabited by militarily strong and culturally entrenched nations, often described as mightier and greater than Israel (e.g., [Deuteronomy 9:1](/deuteronomy/9-1 "Deuteronomy 9:1 - Nations Greater and Mightier")). The collective memory of the wilderness wanderings, past military victories, and even failures would have shaped their perspective. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of a nation's deity fighting on its behalf was common; however, the LORD's intervention described here is unique. It is presented as decisive, rooted in a specific covenant, and inextricably linked to a precise set of divine commands. The "commandments" referenced are not arbitrary but refer to the detailed instructions for dispossessing and dealing with the Canaanites, including the eradication of their idolatrous practices, as extensively outlined in earlier chapters like [Deuteronomy 7](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Commands Regarding the Nations").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuchal narrative. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness** are paramount, as the LORD is unequivocally declared as the one who "shall give them up," highlighting His absolute control over historical events and His unwavering commitment to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). Secondly, **Obedience as a Prerequisite for Blessing** is clearly articulated: the purpose of God's deliverance is "that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you." This establishes a direct and profound link between divine enablement and human responsibility, emphasizing that God's power is unleashed in the context of His people's faithful adherence to His will, particularly concerning the holy war and the eradication of idolatry (e.g., [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Commands for Holy War")). Finally, the theme of **Assured Victory** is powerfully conveyed by the phrase "before your face," signifying a public, undeniable, and manifest divine intervention that guarantees success against seemingly insurmountable odds, serving to bolster the faith and courage of the new generation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give them up (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** Derived from a primitive root, this versatile verb (H5414) means "to give," but encompasses a wide latitude of applications, including "deliver (up)," "bestow," and "commit." In the context of Deuteronomy 31:5, _nâthan_ signifies God's active, decisive, and intentional act of surrendering or handing over the enemy nations to Israel. This highlights the divine initiative and control over the outcome of the conquest, emphasizing that the victory is a direct result of God's power and will, rather than Israel's military might or strategic prowess.
* **Before your face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This plural noun (H6440), always used as singular, literally means "face" or "presence." When employed in the idiomatic phrase "before your face," it conveys a sense of direct, public, and undeniable confrontation or encounter. The enemies will be delivered "in front of" or "in the presence of" the Israelites, making God's intervention clearly visible and undeniable to all. This serves as a powerful reassurance, emphasizing that the forthcoming victory will be a manifest demonstration of God's power, leaving no doubt as to its divine origin and ensuring Israel's confidence.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitsvâh'_):** This term (H4687) refers to a divine command, precept, law, or ordinance. In Deuteronomy, _mitsvâh_ frequently denotes the entire body of divine law given through Moses, which collectively forms the covenant stipulations. Here, it specifically points to the instructions concerning the conquest of Canaan, including the complete dispossessing of the inhabitants and the destruction of their idolatrous practices, as detailed in passages such as [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1-5 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Commands to Destroy the Nations"). The phrase underscores that the divine enablement for conquest is not for Israel's arbitrary gain, but for the precise and holy execution of God's revealed will and purposes for the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD shall give them up before your face":** This opening clause unequivocally attributes the future victory over the Canaanite nations ("them") to the sovereign action of God, identified as "the LORD" (Yahweh). The phrase "shall give them up" denotes a decisive, active surrender or delivery by God, emphasizing His direct involvement and power. The addition of "before your face" highlights the public, undeniable, and direct nature of this divine intervention, assuring Israel that they will personally witness God's hand in their triumph, leaving no room for doubt about the source of their success.
* **"that ye may do unto them":** This clause articulates the divine purpose and consequence of God's sovereign delivery. The victory is not an end in itself, but a means to an end: Israel's active participation in carrying out God's will. It underscores Israel's indispensable responsibility in the process, transforming them from passive recipients of divine aid into active agents of divine judgment and the purification of the land from idolatry and wickedness.
* **"according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you":** This final clause precisely defines the nature and scope of Israel's responsibility. Their actions against the nations must be in strict and complete accordance with the divine instructions given through Moses. This encompasses not only military conquest but also the complete eradication of idolatry, the destruction of pagan altars, and the dispossessing of the inhabitants, all designed to ensure the land's spiritual purity and Israel's distinct identity as God's holy nation. It establishes the ethical and theological framework within which the conquest must occur, emphasizing obedience as the proper response to divine enablement.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:5 skillfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine assurance and human responsibility. The primary device is **Divine Assurance**, wherein God, through Moses, provides an explicit and unwavering guarantee of future success in the conquest. This assurance is powerfully reinforced by **Direct Address** ("your face," "I have commanded you"), which creates an intimate and personal connection between the divine speaker, the human mediator, and the listening audience, making the promise immediate and binding. The verse also implicitly draws upon **Covenant Language**, referencing the broader covenant framework established with Abraham and reiterated at Sinai, where divine faithfulness is inextricably linked to human obedience. The use of the **Active Voice** for the LORD ("shall give them up") vividly emphasizes God's direct, powerful, and central agency in the forthcoming events, contrasting sharply with any potential Israelite reliance on their own limited strength. Finally, the phrase "before your face" serves as a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (a face) to God, or more accurately, emphasizing the palpable and visible nature of His intervention, ensuring that His people will clearly perceive His hand at work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:5 stands as a profound theological statement, intricately weaving together the themes of divine sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and the imperative of human obedience. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the affairs of His people, actively working to fulfill His promises and accomplish His purposes. The victory over the Canaanite nations is presented not as a testament to Israel's military prowess or strategic genius, but as a direct and undeniable result of the LORD's intervention, underscoring that all true success, blessing, and deliverance flow from His sovereign hand. This divine enablement, however, is intrinsically linked to Israel's responsibility to adhere strictly to God's commands, particularly concerning the ethical and spiritual purity of the land and their distinct identity as a holy nation. The verse thus teaches a fundamental principle: God's power is unleashed and His purposes are accomplished in the context of His people's faithful and obedient response to His revealed will, establishing a timeless pattern for divine-human partnership.

* [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise to Joshua")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:5 offers profound encouragement and a significant challenge for believers in every generation. While we are not called to a physical conquest of earthly nations, we are perpetually engaged in spiritual warfare and called to live out God's purposes in a world often hostile to His truth and values. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate victory and our ability to fulfill God's "commandments" (His specific will and calling for our lives) are never dependent on our own strength, wisdom, or limited resources, but entirely on the LORD's active, sovereign intervention. He goes before us, prepares the way, and empowers us to overcome spiritual obstacles and adversaries. Our essential part is to cultivate an unwavering trust in His sovereign power and to walk in radical, wholehearted obedience to His Word, knowing that His enablement is always intricately tied to our alignment with His divine purposes. When we face daunting challenges, seemingly insurmountable odds, or spiritual battles, this verse powerfully calls us to remember that the battle ultimately belongs to the LORD, and He will indeed "give them up before our face" so that we may faithfully accomplish what He has commanded.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life or ministry do you currently feel overwhelmed by "formidable foes" or seemingly insurmountable challenges? How does the assurance of God going before you in [Deuteronomy 31:5](/deuteronomy/31-5 "Deuteronomy 31:5 - The LORD Goes Before You") personally encourage you?**
* **What "commandments" or specific instructions from God's Word are you currently called to obey, especially in challenging or uncomfortable circumstances? How does this verse illuminate the crucial connection between God's enablement and your obedience?**
* **How can you intentionally cultivate a deeper, more consistent trust in God's active intervention ("give them up before your face") rather than habitually relying on your own strength, wisdom, or strategic planning?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse promote violence or justify conquest in all contexts?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 31:5, along with other passages concerning the conquest of Canaan, must be understood within its specific, unique historical and theological context. It does not promote indiscriminate violence or justify conquest in all contexts for all time. Instead, it speaks to a singular period in salvation history where God, as the sovereign Lord of all nations, was executing His righteous judgment upon the idolatrous and morally corrupt inhabitants of Canaan, whose "iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The "commandments" given to Israel were not for their own territorial expansion or self-aggrandizement, but for the purification of the land and the establishment of a holy nation set apart to worship the one true God. This was a specific, divinely ordained act of judgment and covenant fulfillment, not a universal mandate for all peoples or times. The New Testament reinterprets "conquest" in profoundly spiritual terms, emphasizing the defeat of spiritual strongholds and the powers of darkness through the power of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel (e.g., [2 Corinthians 10:3-5](/2_corinthians/10-3-5 "2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Spiritual Warfare")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the original context speaks of a physical conquest and the establishment of an earthly kingdom, the New Testament reveals that Christ is the true Joshua, the ultimate leader who leads His people into a spiritual inheritance and decisive victory. Just as the LORD "gave up" the Canaanites before Israel's face, so God the Father "gave up" His Son on the cross, allowing Him to conquer sin, death, and the powers of darkness "before our face," making a public spectacle of them (e.g., [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through Christ's decisive and complete victory, believers are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to "do unto them according to all the commandments" – not through physical warfare, but by living out the commands of the New Covenant, particularly the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded (e.g., [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). The assurance that the LORD goes before us and delivers our spiritual enemies finds its ultimate reality in the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables us to walk in obedience and overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, by the power of the resurrected Christ, making us "more than conquerors through him who loved us" (e.g., [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

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 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 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Deuteronomy 20:17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; [namely], the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

Exodus 23:32

Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

Exodus 23:33

They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

Exodus 34:12

Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

Exodus 34:16

And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.