TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 9:1–6. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The call to attention (Deu 9:1), Hear, O Israel, intimates that this was a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time after the former, probably the next sabbath day.
I.Moses represents to the people the formidable strength of the enemies which they were now to encounter, Deu 9:1.
The nations they were to dispossess were mightier than themselves, not a rude and undisciplined rout, like the natives of America, that were easily made a prey of. But, should they besiege them, they would find their cities well fortified, according as the art of fortification then was; should they engage them in the field, they would find the people great and tall, of whom common fame had reported that there was no standing before them, Deu 9:2. This representation is much the same with that which the evil spies had made (Num 13:28, Num 13:33), but made with a very different intention: that was designed to drive them from God and to discourage their hope in him; this to drive them to God and to engage their hope in him, since no power less than that which is almighty could secure and prosper them.
II.He assures them of victory, by the presence of God with them, notwithstanding the strength of the enemy, Deu 9:3.
"Understand therefore what thou must trust to for success, and which way thou must look; it is the Lord thy God that goes before thee, not only as thy captain, or commander-in-chief, to give direction, but as a consuming fire, to do execution among them. Observe, He shall destroy them, and then thou shalt drive them out. Thou canst not drive them out, unless he destroy them and bring them down. But he will not destroy them and bring them down, unless thou set thyself in good earnest to drive them out." We must do our endeavour in dependence upon God's grace, and we shall have that grace if we do our endeavour.
III.He cautions them not to entertain the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that had procured them this favour at God's hand:
"Say not. For my righteousness (either with regard to my good character or in recompence for any good service) the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land (Deu 9:4); never think it is for thy righteousness or the uprightness of thy heart, that it is in consideration either of thy good conversation or of they good disposition," Deu 9:5. And again (Deu 9:6) it is insisted on, because it is hard to bring people from a conceit of their own merit, and yet very necessary that it be done: "Understand (know it, and believe it, and consider it) that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this land for thy righteousness. Hadst thou been to come to it upon that condition, thou wouldst have been for ever shut out of it, for thou art a stiff-necked people." Note, Our gaining possession of the heavenly Canaan, as it must be attributed to God's power and not to our own might, so it must be ascribed to God's grace and not to our own merit: in Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in him therefore we must glory, and not in ourselves, or any sufficiency of our own.
IV.He intimates to them the true reasons why God would take this good land out of the hands of the Canaanites, and settle it upon Israel, and they are borrowed from his own honour, not from Israel's deserts.
1.He will be honoured in the destruction of idolaters; they are justly looked upon as haters of him, and therefore he will visit their iniquity upon them. It is for the wickedness of these nations that God drives them out, Deu 9:4, and again, Deu 9:5. All those whom God rejects are rejected for their own wickedness: but none of those whom he accepts are accepted for their own righteousness.
2.He will be honoured in the performance of his promise to those that are in covenant with him: God swore to the patriarchs, who loved him and left all to follow him, that he would give this land to their seed; and therefore he would keep that promised mercy for thousands of those that loved him and kept his commandments; he would not suffer his promise to fail. It was for their fathers' sakes that they were beloved, Rom 11:28. Thus boasting is for ever excluded. See Eph 1:9, Eph 1:11.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 9:2 powerfully describes the Anakim as a formidable race of people, "great and tall," whose imposing stature and fearsome reputation were well-known to the Israelites. This verse vividly captures the pervasive fear and perceived invincibility associated with these inhabitants of Canaan, encapsulated in the rhetorical question, "Who can stand before the children of Anak!" Moses' deliberate portrayal of this seemingly insurmountable human obstacle serves to underscore the absolute necessity and certainty of God's decisive intervention, setting the theological stage for the subsequent declaration that Israel's conquest would be a testament to divine power, not human might or merit.
Context
Literary Context
Deuteronomy 9:2 is strategically placed within Moses' second major address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It immediately follows Moses' declaration in Deuteronomy 9:1 that the Lord God would go before them as a "consuming fire" to dispossess nations "greater and mightier" than them, possessing "great and fenced cities." The vivid description of the Anakim in verse 2 serves as a potent, concrete illustration of these very formidable adversaries. By highlighting the Anakim's terrifying reputation, Moses sets up the crucial theological argument of the entire chapter: Israel's impending success in conquering Canaan will not be attributed to their own righteousness or strength, but solely to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and omnipotent power, a point Moses explicitly reiterates and elaborates upon in Deuteronomy 9:4-6.
Historical & Cultural Context
Moses delivers this exhortation with the recent, painful memory of the previous generation's failure deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of the Israelites. Forty years prior, the twelve spies dispatched into Canaan returned with a disheartening report, specifically singling out the Anakim and describing them as so massive that the Israelites felt like "grasshoppers" in comparison, as recounted in Numbers 13:33. This fear-induced rebellion led to a divine judgment, condemning that entire generation to perish in the wilderness, with only Caleb and Joshua surviving to enter the land, as detailed in Numbers 14:1-35. By invoking the Anakim, Moses taps into a profound collective historical trauma and a deep-seated cultural fear. He simultaneously reminds them of past failure rooted in unbelief and prepares them for a future victory that would defy all human logic, emphasizing that their conquest would be an undeniable testament to divine power, rather than human might. The Anakim were a known entity in the region, often associated with other formidable groups like the Rephaim, and their reputation for immense stature and martial prowess preceded them across the ancient Near East.
Key Themes
This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout Deuteronomy. Firstly, it establishes The Formidable Foe, immediately conveying the immense physical stature and intimidating presence of the Anakim, whose reputation for invincibility is chillingly captured in the rhetorical question, "Who can stand before the children of Anak!" This sets the stage for the second theme, Human Weakness, Divine Strength. By drawing such stark attention to a seemingly insurmountable adversary, Moses powerfully underscores that Israel's success would not stem from their own strength or merit, but would be entirely contingent upon the Lord's miraculous intervention, a point made explicit in Deuteronomy 9:3. Finally, the verse implicitly addresses the critical theme of Overcoming Fear with Faith. The historical backdrop of Israel's past failure, which was directly caused by fear and unbelief (as vividly seen in Numbers 14:6-9), transforms this verse into a potent reminder that while obstacles may appear insurmountable from a human perspective, unwavering faith in God's promises can indeed conquer even the greatest "giants."
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to a "congregated unit," emphasizing the Anakim not as isolated individuals but as a collective, organized group. The use of 'am here highlights the unified and formidable nature of their opposition, suggesting a cohesive society of powerful individuals, which would have amplified the sense of dread for the Israelites.
This term specifically designates a patronymic group, the descendants of Anak, renowned for their extraordinary height and strength. They were often associated with other giant races in biblical narratives (e.g., the Nephilim or Rephaim in Numbers 13:33). Their name itself, possibly derived from a root meaning "neck" (implying tallness), evokes a sense of dread and awe due to their reputation as formidable, giant warriors who inspired terror in their adversaries. The mention of "children of the Anakims" emphasizes their lineage and the continuation of their fearsome characteristics across generations.
This verb, used in the rhetorical question "Who can stand," means "to place oneself," "to take one's stand," or "to present oneself." In this military context, it implies standing firm in battle, facing an opponent, or enduring an assault without being overthrown. The question, therefore, expresses the widespread and deeply ingrained belief that no one could successfully confront, withstand, or overcome the Anakim in combat, powerfully highlighting the overwhelming fear and despair they instilled in those who contemplated opposing them.
Verse Breakdown
"A people great and tall"
This opening phrase immediately establishes the physical characteristics of the Anakim, emphasizing their imposing stature and formidable presence. The description "great and tall" is designed to evoke a sense of awe and intimidation, setting the stage for the immense challenge they represent to the Israelites.
"the children of the Anakims"
This clause precisely identifies the specific group, linking them to a known lineage of giants. The term "children of" reinforces their identity as a distinct, formidable race, emphasizing that their intimidating qualities were inherited and characteristic of their entire clan or tribe, not just isolated individuals.
"whom thou knowest, and [of whom] thou hast heard [say]"
This crucial clause underscores the Anakim's widespread notoriety and the Israelites' prior, intimate, and often traumatic knowledge of their fearsome reputation. Moses is not introducing new information but reminding the new generation of a well-established and deeply ingrained fear, particularly from the spies' report decades earlier. This personal connection makes the subsequent rhetorical question even more impactful, as it resonates with their collective memory and cultural understanding.
"Who can stand before the children of Anak!"
This is the climactic and most powerful rhetorical question in the verse, expressing the common, despairing sentiment regarding the Anakim's perceived invincibility. It encapsulates the overwhelming fear, sense of helplessness, and human impossibility that their presence inspired, serving as the ultimate human assessment of their strength and the seemingly insurmountable challenge they posed to any potential adversary.
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 9:2 is masterfully crafted, employing several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, "Who can stand before the children of Anak!", which is not intended to elicit an answer but rather to emphasize the perceived impossibility of defeating such a foe from a human perspective. This device powerfully communicates the widespread fear and the overwhelming nature of the challenge. There is also an element of Hyperbole in the description, "a people great and tall," which, while literally true of the Anakim, is amplified by the context of Israel's fear to suggest an almost insurmountable obstacle. The Repetition of "Anak" (Anakims, Anak) reinforces their identity and the deep impression their formidable presence had made on the Israelites. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of Foreshadowing, setting up the dramatic contrast with God's omnipotent power, which Moses will immediately declare in the following verses, demonstrating that what is impossible for humans is entirely possible and certain for the Lord. This also creates a stark Contrast between human limitation and divine capability.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Deuteronomy 9:2 transcends a mere description of intimidating foes; it serves as a pivotal theological statement. By vividly portraying the Anakim, Moses intentionally magnifies the human impossibility of Israel's task, thereby highlighting the absolute necessity and supremacy of divine intervention. This sets the stage for the profound theological truth that Israel's conquest of Canaan would be an undeniable testament to God's power and faithfulness, not their own strength or righteousness. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over all human and natural obstacles, demonstrating that God's covenant promises are fulfilled irrespective of the magnitude of the opposition. This verse challenges the human tendency to rely on sight rather than faith, calling the Israelites—and by extension, believers today—to recognize that true victory comes not from human might but from trusting in God's omnipotence to overcome seemingly insurmountable "giants." It teaches that God often allows us to face overwhelming challenges so that His power, not ours, is clearly displayed in the victory.
Reflection and Application
Deuteronomy 9:2 speaks powerfully to the "giants" we face in our own lives—whether they are overwhelming challenges, deep-seated fears, seemingly impossible situations, or systemic injustices. Just as the Anakim represented an insurmountable obstacle from Israel's human perspective, we often encounter circumstances that make us feel like "grasshoppers" in comparison. This verse reminds us that the magnitude of our problems does not diminish the power of our God. The historical context of Israel's past failure due to fear serves as a potent warning: succumbing to fear paralyzes faith and prevents us from stepping into God's promises. Instead, we are called to confront our "giants" not with our own strength or ingenuity, but with an unwavering trust in God's active presence and power. Our victory, like Israel's, depends entirely on God fighting for us, transforming what seems impossible into a testimony of His faithfulness. This passage encourages us to shift our gaze from the size of the challenge to the greatness of our God, remembering that He is able to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" Ephesians 3:20. It calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the visible obstacles to the invisible, omnipotent God who fights on our behalf.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were the Anakim, and why were they so feared by the Israelites?
The Anakim were a group of people known for their extraordinary height and physical prowess, often described as giants in the biblical narrative. They were descendants of Anak and were part of the indigenous populations of Canaan. The Israelites feared them intensely because of their intimidating stature and reputation as fierce warriors, which made the Israelites feel like "grasshoppers" in comparison, as reported by the spies in Numbers 13:33. This fear was so profound that it led the previous generation of Israelites to rebel against God's command to enter the Promised Land, resulting in their forty-year wandering in the wilderness. Moses reminds the new generation of this fear in Deuteronomy 9:2 to highlight the magnitude of the challenge and underscore that their victory would be by divine power, not human might.
How does Deuteronomy 9:2 relate to the broader message of Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy 9:2 is crucial to the broader message of Deuteronomy because it sets the stage for Moses' central theological argument in this chapter: Israel's success in conquering Canaan would not be due to their own righteousness or strength, but solely to the Lord's covenant faithfulness and power. By emphasizing the formidable nature of the Anakim and other inhabitants of Canaan, Moses highlights the human impossibility of the task, thereby magnifying the Lord's omnipotence and grace. This verse serves as a stark contrast to the divine promise that God Himself would go before them as a "consuming fire" to dispossess these nations Deuteronomy 9:3. It reinforces the core Deuteronomic themes of remembering God's past acts, trusting in His sovereignty, and understanding that obedience flows from a recognition of His unmerited favor, not from a sense of earned merit.
Did the Israelites eventually defeat the Anakim?
Yes, the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, did eventually defeat the Anakim, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promise. While the Anakim were widespread throughout the land, Joshua specifically "cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel; he devoted them to destruction with their cities" Joshua 11:21. Notably, Caleb, one of the two faithful spies from the previous generation, specifically requested and was granted the territory of Hebron, where the Anakim were still present, and he personally drove them out Joshua 14:12-15. This fulfillment vividly illustrates the truth of Deuteronomy 9:3, that the Lord God would indeed go before them and dispossess their enemies, proving that no human obstacle is too great for God's power.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Deuteronomy 9:2, with its vivid portrayal of the Anakim as seemingly insurmountable giants, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The physical giants that Israel faced foreshadow the spiritual "giants" that humanity could never overcome through its own strength: sin, death, and the power of Satan. Just as Israel's victory over the Anakim was not by their might but by God's intervention, humanity's victory over these ultimate foes is achieved solely through the divine power of Jesus Christ. He is the true "consuming fire" who goes before us, disarming the powers of darkness and conquering what was humanly impossible Colossians 2:15. In His life, death, and resurrection, Christ confronted and decisively defeated the spiritual Anakim that held humanity captive, fulfilling the promise that God would fight for His people. Through faith in Him, believers are empowered to face their own spiritual and life "giants," knowing that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4. His triumph over the grave means that even death, the last enemy, has been swallowed up in victory, as triumphantly declared in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. Thus, the fear-inducing Anakim of the Old Testament point to the infinitely greater spiritual adversaries that only the Lamb of God could conquer, securing for His people an eternal inheritance and the power to live in His triumph.