Deuteronomy 7:1

¶ 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;

When the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall bring {H935} thee into the land {H776} whither thou goest {H935} to possess {H3423} it, and hath cast out {H5394} many {H7227} nations {H1471} before {H6440} thee, the Hittites {H2850}, and the Girgashites {H1622}, and the Amorites {H567}, and the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}, seven {H7651} nations {H1471} greater {H7227} and mightier {H6099} than thou;

"ADONAI your God is going to bring you into the land you will enter in order to take possession of it, and he will expel many nations ahead of you -the Hitti, Girgashi, Emori, Kena'ani, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi, seven nations bigger and stronger than you.

When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—

When Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and shall cast out many nations before thee, the Hittite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:1 serves as a powerful preamble to God's instructions for Israel as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This verse highlights the divine initiative in their conquest, assuring them that the LORD, their God, would personally lead them into the land and dispossess the existing inhabitants.

Context

This verse is part of Moses's second major speech to the Israelites in the plains of Moab, just before they crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a new generation was poised to inherit the land promised to their forefathers. Moses's addresses in Deuteronomy serve to remind them of God's past faithfulness, reiterate the Law, and prepare them spiritually and practically for the challenges and responsibilities of possessing their inheritance. The mention of "seven nations greater and mightier than thou" immediately sets the stage for God's supernatural intervention, emphasizing that the victory would not be by Israel's strength, but by divine power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Promise: The verse begins with "When the LORD thy God shall bring thee," underscoring that the entry into Canaan was not by Israel's own might or strategy, but a direct act of God fulfilling His ancient promise to Abraham. This emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant.
  • God's Sovereign Power: The phrase "hath cast out many nations before thee" speaks to God's absolute authority and power over all peoples. The Hebrew word for "cast out" (shalakh) here implies a forceful, decisive expulsion, highlighting that God would actively clear the way for Israel. The specific naming of the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—all described as "greater and mightier"—further magnifies the miraculous nature of the impending conquest.
  • The Promised Land: Canaan is presented as a land to be "possessed," an inheritance given by God. This possession was contingent on Israel's obedience and faithfulness to the covenant, a theme woven throughout Deuteronomy.

Linguistic Insights

The description of the nations as "greater and mightier than thou" (Hebrew: rabim va'atzumim mimmecha) is crucial. It negates any possibility of Israel claiming victory by their own strength or numbers. This sets up the argument presented later in the chapter that God chose Israel not because of their greatness, but because of His love and His oath (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). The power dynamic is entirely shifted to God, who actively dispossesses these formidable groups.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 7:1 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that when God gives a promise or calls us to a task, He also provides the means and power to accomplish it. Even when facing "greater and mightier" obstacles in life—be they spiritual battles, personal challenges, or overwhelming circumstances—we are called to trust in the LORD fighting for His people. Our victory is not based on our strength, but on His faithfulness and power. This verse encourages us to step out in faith, knowing that God goes before us, clearing the path and enabling us to possess what He has promised.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 31:3 (7 votes)

    The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, [and] he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: [and] Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

  • Acts 13:19 (6 votes)

    And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

  • Deuteronomy 4:38 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 9:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Hear, O Israel: Thou [art] to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

  • Psalms 44:2 (5 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 (5 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.

  • Deuteronomy 20:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.