King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:7 in the King James Version says “Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the pla... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. all: Heb. all his neighbours

Deuteronomy 1:7 · KJV


Context

5

On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,

6

The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

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. all: Heb. all his neighbours

8

Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. set: Heb. given

9

And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's command to 'turn and take your journey' marks the end of Israel's extended stay at Horeb (Sinai) and initiates the movement toward the Promised Land. The comprehensive geographical description—from the Arabah to Lebanon, from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean—outlines the full extent of God's covenantal promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). This reveals God's sovereign plan and generous provision for His people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This command came after Israel spent approximately one year at Mount Sinai receiving the Law and building the tabernacle. The geographical boundaries described represent the ideal borders of Israel that would be fully realized during Solomon's reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has God called you to move from a place of learning into action?
  2. How does God's vision for your life compare to your own limited perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
פְּנ֣וּ׀1 of 23

Turn

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וּסְע֣וּ2 of 23

you and take your journey

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

לָכֶ֗ם3 of 23
H0
וּבֹ֨אוּ4 of 23

and go

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בָהָ֛ר5 of 23

in the hills

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הָֽאֱמֹרִי֮6 of 23

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְאֶל7 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל8 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁכֵנָיו֒9 of 23

and unto all the places nigh

H7934

a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen

בָּֽעֲרָבָ֥ה10 of 23

thereunto in the plain

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

בָהָ֛ר11 of 23

in the hills

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֥ה12 of 23

and in the vale

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וּבַנֶּ֖גֶב13 of 23

and in the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וּבְח֣וֹף14 of 23

side

H2348

a cove (as a sheltered bay)

הַיָּ֑ם15 of 23

and by the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

אֶ֤רֶץ16 of 23

to the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙17 of 23

of the Canaanites

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְהַלְּבָנ֔וֹן18 of 23

and unto Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

עַד19 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

נְהַר20 of 23

river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

הַגָּדֹ֖ל21 of 23

unto the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

נְהַר22 of 23

river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

פְּרָֽת׃23 of 23

Euphrates

H6578

perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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