King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:8 in the King James Version says “Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaa...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 1:8 · KJV

Context

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:

10

The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'Behold, I have set the land before you' emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in giving the land. The Hebrew 'nathan' (set/given) indicates an irrevocable gift already determined by God. Moses reminds Israel that their inheritance flows from God's covenant faithfulness to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not from their own merit. This underscores the principle that salvation and blessing come through God's promise, not human achievement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This reiterates the Abrahamic covenant established 600+ years earlier (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 17:8). The land promise was unconditional, based solely on God's oath to the patriarchs, demonstrating the unchangeable nature of God's covenantal commitments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding grace as God's initiative change your relationship with Him?
  2. In what areas are you trying to earn what God has already freely given?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
רְאֵ֛ה1 of 20

“Behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

לָתֵ֣ת2 of 20

“I have set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם3 of 20

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶת4 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֔רֶץ5 of 20

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בֹּ֚אוּ6 of 20

“you go”

H935

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

וּרְשׁ֣וּ7 of 20

“in and possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת8 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֔רֶץ9 of 20

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁבַּ֣ע11 of 20

“sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְ֠הוָה12 of 20

“which the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם13 of 20

“unto your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם14 of 20

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֤ק15 of 20

“Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙16 of 20

“and Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לָתֵ֣ת17 of 20

“I have set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֔ם18 of 20
H0
וּלְזַרְעָ֖ם19 of 20

“unto them and to their seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 15:18Genesis 12:7Genesis 26:3-4Genesis 17:7-8Genesis 13:14-15Genesis 28:13-14

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