Exodus 34:11

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Observe {H8104} thou that which I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117}: behold, I drive out {H1644} before {H6440} thee the Amorite {H567}, and the Canaanite {H3669}, and the Hittite {H2850}, and the Perizzite {H6522}, and the Hivite {H2340}, and the Jebusite {H2983}.

Observe what I am ordering you to do today. Here! I am driving out ahead of you the Emori, Kena'ani, Hitti, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi.

Observe what I command you this day. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 34:11 is part of God's reaffirmation of His covenant with Israel after the devastating incident of the golden calf worship. Moses has returned to Mount Sinai, and God is dictating the terms of the renewed covenant. This divine decree follows God's declaration of His character as merciful and gracious in Exodus 34:6-7 and precedes further instructions regarding worship, separation from pagan practices, and the keeping of holy days. The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His people, provided they adhere to His commands as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Key Themes

  • Covenantal Obedience: The opening phrase, "Observe thou that which I command thee this day," highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings. Israel's success in possessing the Promised Land was directly tied to their diligent adherence to God's laws and statutes, a theme reiterated throughout the Pentateuch.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: God declares, "behold, I drive out before thee..." This powerful statement asserts God's sole agency in clearing the land for Israel. It was not Israel's military might but God's supernatural intervention that would ensure their victory over the formidable native tribes. This promise of divine assistance is a recurring theme in the journey to their inheritance.
  • The Promised Land and Its Inhabitants: The specific listing of the Amorite, Canaanite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite emphasizes the reality of the powerful nations that occupied the land God had promised to Abraham's descendants (see Genesis 15:18-21). Their expulsion was a divine judgment against their wickedness and idolatry, making way for a holy nation.
  • God's Faithfulness: Despite Israel's recent rebellion with the golden calf, God reaffirms His commitment to His covenant promises, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and mercy towards His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "observe" (שָׁמַר, shamar) implies more than just passively hearing; it means to keep, guard, watch, or diligently obey. It speaks to a careful, active adherence to God's instructions, emphasizing the importance of not just knowing but actively practicing His commands.

The names of the tribes listed—Amorite, Canaanite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite—were common terms for the various indigenous peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan, often mentioned together in biblical texts (e.g., Exodus 3:8, Exodus 23:23). Their presence underscored the magnitude of the task ahead for Israel, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention.

Practical Application

  • Obedience as a Prerequisite: This verse reminds us that while God's promises are sure, our experience of His blessings often hinges on our obedience to His commands. Just as Israel was to "observe" God's laws, believers today are called to walk in accordance with God's Word, seeking to live a life pleasing to Him.
  • Trusting God's Power: We often face spiritual "giants" and formidable obstacles in our lives. Exodus 34:11 encourages us to trust that God, who drove out powerful nations for Israel, can also overcome the challenges and spiritual enemies we face when we obey Him. Our part is to "observe" His commands; His part is to "drive out" the obstacles.
  • Divine Initiative: The verse underscores that salvation and victory are ultimately God's work. He is the one who initiates and accomplishes the driving out of spiritual opposition, enabling us to live in the spiritual "promised land" of His presence and blessing.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 33:2 (4 votes)

    And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

  • Exodus 3:17 (4 votes)

    And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

  • Deuteronomy 6:25 (3 votes)

    And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

  • Deuteronomy 7:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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;

  • Exodus 3:8 (3 votes)

    And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

  • Genesis 15:18 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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