Deuteronomy 4:38

To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou [art], to bring thee in, to give thee their land [for] an inheritance, as [it is] this day.

To drive out {H3423} nations {H1471} from before {H6440} thee greater {H1419} and mightier {H6099} than thou art, to bring {H935} thee in, to give {H5414} thee their land {H776} for an inheritance {H5159}, as it is this day {H3117}.

in order to drive out ahead of you nations greater and stronger than you, so that he could bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as is the case today;

to drive out before you nations greater and mightier than you, and to bring you into their land and give it to you for your inheritance, as it is this day.

to drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as at this day.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:38 (KJV) speaks to God's mighty actions on behalf of Israel, underscoring His sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness as He prepared them to enter the Promised Land.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Moses' impassioned discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. They are on the brink of possessing the land promised to their forefathers, but they face formidable challenges: the existing Canaanite nations were indeed "greater and mightier" than Israel, possessing fortified cities and often superior military strength. Moses reminds them that their success would not be due to their own power or numbers, but entirely to God's divine intervention. This historical backdrop emphasizes the miraculous nature of their impending conquest and inheritance, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises despite human limitations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The verse highlights God's absolute ability to accomplish His will, even against overwhelming odds. He is the one who "drives out nations" and "brings in" His people, demonstrating His unmatched strength and authority.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: God's action in giving Israel the land is a direct fulfillment of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The phrase "to give thee their land for an inheritance" resonates with generations of divine promise, affirming God's reliability.
  • God's Provision and Grace: The land is presented as an "inheritance," a gift bestowed by God, not something earned or conquered by Israel's inherent might. This underscores God's generous provision and His unmerited favor towards His chosen people.
  • Israel's Dependence: By stating that the nations were "greater and mightier than thou," Moses subtly reminds Israel of their own weakness and their absolute reliance on God's strength. Their victory would be a testimony to God's power, not their own.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "inheritance" (ื ึทื—ึฒืœึธื”, nachalah) is significant. It implies a possession received as a gift or legacy, often without personal effort to acquire it. In this context, it underscores that the land of Canaan was not merely a conquest but a divinely appointed and guaranteed possession, a fulfillment of ancestral promises. This term reinforces the idea of God's sovereign gift, distinct from mere human acquisition.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 4:38 offers timeless encouragement. Just as God enabled Israel to overcome obstacles seemingly insurmountable, He can empower believers today to face their own "greater and mightier" challenges. This verse reminds us to place our trust not in our own strength or resources, but in God's infinite power and faithfulness. It encourages us to remember that God's promises are true and that He is capable of fulfilling them, even when the path seems impossible. Our spiritual inheritance in Christ, including all the blessings of salvation and eternal life, is also a gift, secured by His power, not our merit.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ 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 23:27 (3 votes)

    I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.

  • Exodus 23:28 (3 votes)

    And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

  • Deuteronomy 2:31 (3 votes)

    And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.

  • Deuteronomy 3:16 (3 votes)

    And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;

  • Psalms 44:2 (3 votes)

    [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

  • Psalms 44:3 (3 votes)

    For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.