King James Version
What Does Deuteronomy 11:31 Mean?
“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.”
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
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(31) **For ye shall pass over Jordan.**—In the place of Sichern, by the oak of Moreh, “the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give *this *land.” It is the first recorded promise given to the patriarch that his seed should inherit that particular country. He had gone out from his own country, “not knowing whither he went” (Genesis 12:6-7).
Here ends the first portion of the exposition of the Decalogue—that which sets forth the *relation of the people *brought out of Egypt *to Jehovah. *The following chapters set forth the laws of the *land *of Israel—first, as the seat of *worship *of Jehovah; secondly, as the seat of *His kingdom; *thirdly, as the sphere of operation of certain rules of behaviour, intended to form a distinctive character for His people. For a complete analysis of this portion, see the Introduction to this Book. Some modern writers attribute these chapters to a later hand than that of Moses. It is therefore necessary to consider them carefully, not simply as chapters, but in their primary structure and according to their natural divisions.
The land is considered as the seat of Jehovah’s worship from Deuteronomy 12:1 to Deuteronomy 16:17 inclusive.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge