Deuteronomy 1:7

Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.

Turn {H6437} you, and take your journey {H5265}, and go {H935} to the mount {H2022} of the Amorites {H567}, and unto all the places nigh {H7934} thereunto, in the plain {H6160}, in the hills {H2022}, and in the vale {H8219}, and in the south {H5045}, and by the sea {H3220} side {H2348}, to the land {H776} of the Canaanites {H3669}, and unto Lebanon {H3844}, unto the great {H1419} river {H5104}, the river {H5104} Euphrates {H6578}.

Turn, get moving and go to the hill-country of the Emori and all the places near there in the 'Aravah, the hill-country, the Sh'felah, the Negev and by the seashore - the land of the Kena'ani, and the L'vanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates River.

Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.

turn you, and take your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the South, and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:7 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, as Moses recounts God's direct command for the Israelites to finally move forward and possess the vast territory promised to their ancestors. After spending forty years wandering in the wilderness, this verse signals the end of their punitive delay and the beginning of their divine inheritance.

Context

This verse is found within the opening address of Moses to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab, just before they were to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses is reviewing their history, reminding them of God's faithfulness and their past failures. Specifically, Deuteronomy 1:7 recalls the command given at Mount Horeb (Sinai) almost forty years earlier, urging them to leave the mountain and proceed towards the land God had sworn to give them. It serves as a direct instruction to cease lingering and end their long wilderness wandering, emphasizing that the time for action had come.

Key Themes

  • Divine Command and Guidance: The phrase "Turn you, and take your journey" highlights God's active role in directing His people. This was not a human strategic decision but a clear mandate from the Lord, indicating His sovereignty over their destiny.
  • The Extent of the Promised Land: The verse meticulously describes the geographical breadth of the inheritance: from the "mount of the Amorites" (likely the central highlands) to the "plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side." This comprehensive description underscores the richness and diversity of the land.
  • Fulfillment of God's Covenant: The mention of "the land of the Canaanites" and specific boundaries like "Lebanon" and "the great river, the river Euphrates" points directly to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This command is a crucial step towards the fulfillment of God's ancient covenant with Abraham, which explicitly included the territory up to the Euphrates River.
  • Possession and Inheritance: Implicit in the command to "go to" these places is the instruction to take possession. This was the land given to them, but they had to actively journey and conquer it, demonstrating faith and obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text uses vivid geographical terms to paint a picture of the land's diversity. The phrase "mount of the Amorites" (הַר הָאֱמֹרִי, har ha'emori) refers to the mountainous region inhabited by the Amorites, a prominent Canaanite tribe. The listing of "plain" (הָעֲרָבָה, ha'aravah - the Arabah valley), "hills" (הָהָר, hahar - the mountain country), "vale" (הַשְּׁפֵלָה, hashphelah - the lowlands), "south" (הַנֶּגֶב, hannegev - the Negev desert), and "by the sea side" (וְחוֹף הַיָּם, v'chof hayyam - the coastal plain) collectively emphasizes the immense variety of terrain within the promised inheritance. The "river Euphrates" (נְהַר פְּרָת, nahar p'rat) served as a significant and distant eastern boundary, representing the full extent of the land as promised by God.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 1:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Timing and Direction: Just as God clearly directed Israel, He also guides us in our spiritual journeys. There are times for waiting and times for moving forward in faith. We must discern His voice and obey His commands.
  • Embracing Our Inheritance: While we do not inherit a physical land, believers are heirs to spiritual blessings and promises in Christ. This verse reminds us to actively "take our journey" and lay hold of the spiritual inheritance God has provided, which includes every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
  • Overcoming Past Delays: The forty years of wandering were due to disobedience. This verse encourages us to leave behind past failures and delays, to "turn" from them, and to press on toward the purposes God has for us, trusting in His renewed grace and guidance.
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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

  • Deuteronomy 11:24 (7 votes)

    Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

  • Joshua 10:40 (6 votes)

    So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.

  • 1 Chronicles 18:3 (3 votes)

    And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

  • 1 Chronicles 5:9 (3 votes)

    And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.

  • Joshua 24:15 (3 votes)

    ¶ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

  • Amos 2:9 (3 votes)

    ¶ Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height [was] like the height of the cedars, and he [was] strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.

  • 2 Samuel 8:3 (3 votes)

    David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.