King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:29 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:29 in the King James Version says “When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedes...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest them”

Deuteronomy 12:29 · KJV

Context

27

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.

28

Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

29

When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest them

30

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. by: Heb. after them

31

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. to the: Heb. of the

Read Deuteronomy 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Warning against Canaanite practices: 'When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land.' This acknowledges God as agent of conquest—He 'cuts off' (יַכְרִית, yakhrit, destroys) the nations. Israel will 'succeed' (יָרַשׁ, yarash, inherit/dispossess) them, taking possession. The sequence—God destroys → Israel possesses → Israel settles—establishes divine initiative followed by human participation. This sets up the critical warning in verse 30: victory over enemies doesn't guarantee immunity from their spiritual influence. Physical conquest must be matched by spiritual vigilance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua 1-12 narrates partial fulfillment—many Canaanites destroyed, but Judges 1 reveals incomplete conquest. Israelites failed to fully drive out inhabitants, leading to generations of syncretism. The very cultures they conquered spiritually conquered them through idolatry. Prophets repeatedly condemned Canaanite religious practices Israel adopted: Baal worship, Asherah poles, child sacrifice. Physical victory without spiritual purity led to apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we experience victory over external challenges yet succumb to spiritual compromise?
  2. What conquered 'enemies' in your life might still exercise spiritual influence if not vigilantly resisted?
  3. How does complacency after victory create vulnerability to compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּֽי1 of 17
H3588

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

יַכְרִית֩2 of 17

“shall cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 17

“When the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ4 of 17

“thy 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

אֶת5 of 17
H853

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

הַגּוֹיִ֗ם6 of 17

“the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 17
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה8 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָא9 of 17

“thee whither thou goest”

H935

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

שָׁ֛מָּה10 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣11 of 17

“them and thou succeedest”

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

אוֹתָ֖ם12 of 17
H853

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

מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ13 of 17

“from 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

וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣14 of 17

“them and thou succeedest”

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

אֹתָ֔ם15 of 17
H853

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

וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֖16 of 17

“them and dwellest”

H3427

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

בְּאַרְצָֽם׃17 of 17

“in their land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 12:29 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 12:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 23:4Deuteronomy 19:1Psalms 78:55Deuteronomy 9:3Exodus 23:23

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