King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:24 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:24 in the King James Version says “Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

Deuteronomy 11:24 · KJV


Context

22

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

23

Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

24

Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

25

There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

26

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The extent of conquest: 'Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours.' This promise links possession to actual occupation—Israel must physically enter and claim the land. The boundaries specified: 'from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea.' This describes maximum extent: southern wilderness (Negev), northern Lebanon, eastern Euphrates, western Mediterranean. Joshua 1:3-4 repeats this promise. Remarkably, Israel never fully possessed these boundaries except briefly under Solomon (1 Kings 4:21, 24), suggesting partial obedience yielded partial blessing. Full obedience would have yielded full inheritance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The specified boundaries match God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18): 'from the river of Egypt to...the river Euphrates.' David's conquests (2 Samuel 8:3) reached Euphrates, and Solomon's kingdom extended from 'the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt' (1 Kings 4:21). However, Israel never maintained permanent control, and divided kingdom after Solomon shrunk territory further. The promise remains partially unfulfilled, perhaps awaiting eschatological fulfillment in Messiah's reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this promise illustrate the principle that God's blessings often require our active participation to possess?
  2. What does Israel's partial conquest teach about the consequences of incomplete obedience?
  3. How might this territorial promise relate to Messianic kingdom prophecies of universal dominion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כָּל1 of 21
H3605

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

הַמָּק֗וֹם2 of 21

Every place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 21
H834

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

תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ4 of 21

shall tread

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

כַּֽף5 of 21

whereon the soles

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רַגְלְכֶ֛ם6 of 21

of your feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

בּ֖וֹ7 of 21
H0
לָכֶ֣ם8 of 21
H0
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה9 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִן10 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּדְבָּ֨ר11 of 21

shall be yours from the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וְהַלְּבָנ֜וֹן12 of 21

and Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

מִן13 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

נְהַר14 of 21

from the river

H5104

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

נְהַר15 of 21

from the river

H5104

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

פְּרָ֗ת16 of 21

Euphrates

H6578

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

וְעַד֙17 of 21
H5704

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

הַיָּ֣ם18 of 21

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

הָֽאַחֲר֔וֹן19 of 21

even unto the uttermost

H314

hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western

יִֽהְיֶ֖ה20 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

גְּבֻֽלְכֶֽם׃21 of 21

shall your coast

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed


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 11:24 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 11:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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