King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 10:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 10:11 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them. take: Heb. go in journey

Deuteronomy 10:11 · KJV


Context

9

Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

10

And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee. first: or, former days

11

And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them. take: Heb. go in journey

12

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

13

To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Arise, take thy journey before the people—After the covenant renewal (new stone tablets in 10:1-5) and Moses's successful intercession, God commands the journey to resume. The phrase that they may go in and possess the land (וִירְשׁוּ, virshu) uses the Qal imperfect of yarash, emphasizing the ongoing process of conquest. Despite Israel's catastrophic failure with the golden calf, God's purposes remain unchanged.

Which I sware unto their fathers grounds the promise in the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21). God's oath-bound commitment transcends Israel's unfaithfulness—a theme Paul develops in Romans 11:29: 'the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.' This verse demonstrates that divine election secures salvation despite human sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This command came after Moses's 40-day intercession following the golden calf incident (Deuteronomy 9-10). The journey resumed from Mount Horeb (Sinai) toward Canaan, approximately 40 years after the exodus (1446 BC traditional chronology).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness to His sworn promises despite Israel's sin encourage you when you fail?
  2. What does Israel's restoration after the golden calf reveal about God's commitment to His redemptive plan in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 17

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 17

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֵלַ֔י3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ק֛וּם4 of 17

unto me Arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לֵ֥ךְ5 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְמַסַּ֖ע6 of 17

thy journey

H4550

a departure (from striking the tents), i.e., march (not necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure)

לִפְנֵ֣י7 of 17

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

הָעָ֑ם8 of 17

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְיָבֹ֙אוּ֙9 of 17

that they may go in

H935

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

וְיִֽירְשׁ֣וּ10 of 17

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

אֶת11 of 17
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ12 of 17

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 17
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי14 of 17

which I sware

H7650

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

לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם15 of 17

unto their fathers

H1

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

לָתֵ֥ת16 of 17

to give

H5414

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

לָהֶֽם׃17 of 17
H0

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 10:11 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 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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