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Deuteronomy 11:30

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[Are] they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

Are they not on the other side {H5676} Jordan {H3383}, by {H310} the way {H1870} where the sun {H8121} goeth down {H3996}, in the land {H776} of the Canaanites {H3669}, which dwell {H3427} in the champaign {H6160} over against {H4136} Gilgal {H1537}, beside {H681} the plains {H436} of Moreh {H4176}?

Both are west of the Yarden, in the direction of the sunset, in the land of the Kena'ani living in the 'Aravah, across from Gilgal, near the pistachio trees of Moreh.

Are not these mountains across the Jordan, west of the road toward the sunset, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah opposite Gilgal near the Oak of Moreh?

Are they not beyond the Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites that dwell in the Arabah, over against Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh?

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:30 is a descriptive verse that provides precise geographical markers for a crucial covenant renewal ceremony that Moses commanded the Israelites to perform upon entering the Promised Land. It pinpoints the location where the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience were to be publicly declared, specifically on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (though not named in this verse, they are central to the surrounding context).

Context

This verse is part of Moses' second major address to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before they crossed the Jordan River. In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Moses presents the monumental choice: "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse." He then specifies that these pronouncements are to take place on two mountains after they enter Canaan. Verse 30 geographically locates these mountains: "on the other side Jordan" (meaning west of it, from their current vantage point), "by the way where the sun goeth down" (to the west), "in the land of the Canaanites" (the territory they were to conquer and inhabit). The detailed instructions for this ceremony are found later in Deuteronomy chapter 27 and its fulfillment in Joshua chapter 8.

Key Geographical Markers & Significance

  • "on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down": This clearly indicates the land west of the Jordan River, the Promised Land itself, reinforcing the imminent conquest and settlement.
  • "in the land of the Canaanites": This emphasizes that the ceremony would take place in the heart of the land they were to possess, signaling God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham.
  • "the champaign over against Gilgal": The term "champaign" (Hebrew: 'arabah) refers to the flat, open plain, specifically the Jordan Valley. Gilgal was a significant early encampment for the Israelites after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:19), serving as a base for their initial campaigns. This reference helps locate the general area.
  • "beside the plains of Moreh": These plains are located near Shechem, nestled between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. This site holds deep historical significance, as it was one of the first places Abraham settled and built an altar upon entering Canaan, establishing a link to the foundational promises of God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision: God's instructions to Moses are remarkably specific, down to the geographical details, highlighting the importance of obedience to His commands and the fulfillment of His prophetic word.
  • Covenant Renewal: The verse points to a pivotal moment where the Israelites would publicly reaffirm their covenant relationship with God, acknowledging the consequences of their choices.
  • Historical Continuity: By referencing the plains of Moreh, Moses connects the present generation's entry into the land with the ancient promises made to their patriarch Abraham, reinforcing God's enduring faithfulness through generations.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 11:30 reminds us that God's plans are meticulously detailed and purposeful. Just as the Israelites were given specific instructions and locations for covenant renewal, believers today are called to actively engage with God's word and commit to obedience to His commands. The emphasis on a specific place for this ceremony underscores the importance of intentional acts of worship and commitment in our lives. It teaches us that God's promises are not abstract but are rooted in history and will be fulfilled in tangible ways, urging us to trust in His faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Genesis 12:6 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.

  • Judges 7:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then Jerubbaal, who [is] Gideon, and all the people that [were] with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

  • Joshua 4:19 (2 votes)

    And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth [day] of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

  • Joshua 5:9 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.