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Deuteronomy 7:17

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If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations [are] more than I; how can I dispossess them?

If thou shalt say {H559} in thine heart {H3824}, These nations {H1471} are more {H7227} than I; how {H349} can {H3201} I dispossess {H3423} them?

If you think to yourselves, 'These nations outnumber us; how can we dispossess them?'

You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?”

If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?

Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:17 KJV captures the potential internal struggle of the Israelites as they stood on the brink of entering Canaan, a land occupied by nations seemingly larger and stronger than themselves.

Context

This verse is found within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites in the wilderness of Moab, shortly before they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God has just given them strict instructions to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations and their religious artifacts, emphasizing that Israel is God's specially chosen people, loved and set apart, not because of their size or might (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Verse 17 anticipates the natural human reaction to the daunting task ahead: looking at the overwhelming numbers and strength of the enemy and feeling inadequate.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Doubt: The verse directly addresses the potential internal feeling of being outnumbered and incapable when facing powerful opposition.
  • Human Limitation vs. Divine Power: It highlights the contrast between Israel's perceived weakness ("more than I") and the need to rely on God's strength for victory.
  • Overcoming Insecurity: The challenge presented is overcoming the doubt that arises from comparing oneself to the obstacles rather than trusting God's promise and power.
  • Faith in the Face of Obstacles: It underscores the necessity of faith to believe that God can accomplish the seemingly impossible task He has set before His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "say in thine heart" (KJV) translates the Hebrew בְּלְבָבְךָ (bə·lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā), which literally means "in your heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵבָב - levav) represents the totality of the inner person – the mind, will, emotions, and understanding. So, "say in thine heart" means to think internally, to harbor doubts, fears, or questions within one's deepest self.

The verse perfectly captures the human tendency to evaluate challenges based solely on visible circumstances ("These nations are more than I") leading to a conclusion of inability ("how can I dispossess them?"). This internal dialogue represents a crisis of faith, questioning whether God's promises can truly overcome the physical realities.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 7:17 offers a timeless insight into the human struggle with fear and doubt when facing overwhelming circumstances. Like the Israelites, we often encounter challenges in life – spiritual, personal, or otherwise – that make us feel inadequate or outnumbered. This verse calls us to recognize that internal voice of doubt. It reminds us that victory is not achieved by our own strength or numbers, but by trusting in the God who is with us and has promised to fight for us (Exodus 14:14). When we feel like saying "How can I...?", we must instead remember God's past faithfulness and His power, believing that with Him, all things are possible (Luke 1:37). Our focus should shift from the size of the problem to the greatness of our God.

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

  • Numbers 33:53 (5 votes)

    And ye shall dispossess [the inhabitants] of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.

  • Numbers 13:32 (3 votes)

    And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, [is] a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it [are] men of a great stature.

  • Luke 9:47 (2 votes)

    And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

  • Deuteronomy 18:21 (2 votes)

    And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

  • Deuteronomy 8:17 (2 votes)

    And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.

  • Isaiah 49:21 (2 votes)

    Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where [had] they [been]?

  • Deuteronomy 15:9 (2 votes)

    Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.