King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:31 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:31 in the King James Version says “For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.

Deuteronomy 11:31 · KJV


Context

29

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

30

Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

31

For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.

32

And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The imminence of conquest: 'For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.' The double use of 'possess' emphasizes certainty and ownership. The Hebrew yarash (יָרַשׁ, possess/dispossess) indicates both taking and inhabiting. God 'gives' the land, but Israel must actively 'possess' it—grace enables, effort applies. The sequence: pass over → possess → dwell describes conquest process. The promise combines divine gift ('the LORD giveth') with human responsibility ('ye shall possess'). This partnership of grace and works appears throughout Scripture: God provides what He commands, but we must appropriate what He provides.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua 1-12 narrates the conquest: crossing Jordan (ch. 3-4), Jericho's fall (ch. 6), Ai campaign (ch. 7-8), southern conquest (ch. 10), northern conquest (ch. 11), summary of defeated kings (ch. 12). The process took approximately seven years. However, Judges 1 reveals incomplete conquest—Israel failed to drive out all inhabitants, leading to persistent idolatry. Full possession required full obedience; partial obedience yielded partial blessing and ongoing conflict.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate that God's promises require active faith to appropriate?
  2. What 'promised land' blessings has God given you that require effort to fully possess?
  3. What are the consequences of partial obedience—settling for less than God's full provision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּ֤י1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתֶּם֙2 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹֽבְרִ֣ים3 of 18

For ye shall pass over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת4 of 18
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן5 of 18

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

לָבֹא֙6 of 18

to go in

H935

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

וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֥ם7 of 18

to 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 18
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ9 of 18

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 18
H834

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

יְהוָ֥ה11 of 18

which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם12 of 18

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֣ן13 of 18

giveth

H5414

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

לָכֶ֑ם14 of 18
H0
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֥ם15 of 18

to 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

אֹתָ֖הּ16 of 18
H853

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

וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם17 of 18

it and dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּֽהּ׃18 of 18
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 11:31 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 11:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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