King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:1 in the King James Version says “When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and d...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest”

Deuteronomy 19:1 · KJV

Context

1

When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest

2

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

3

Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.

Read Deuteronomy 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses. God's sovereignty in displacing Canaanite nations and granting their land to Israel demonstrates both divine judgment on wicked peoples and divine grace in giving undeserved inheritance to redeemed people.

The phrase the LORD thy God hath cut off indicates God actively judges and removes the Canaanites. Their displacement results from accumulated iniquity (Genesis 15:16) - God uses Israel as instrument of judgment on peoples whose wickedness has reached fullness.

That Israel succeedest them and dwells in their cities and houses shows they inherit what others built. This unearned possession typifies grace - believers inherit spiritual blessings in Christ that they did not earn or construct.

This inheritance carries responsibility - Israel must not imitate the sins that brought judgment on the previous inhabitants lest they too be displaced for wickedness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua led Israel's conquest of Canaan, dispossessing various Canaanite peoples. The conquest was not complete ethnic cleansing but divine judgment on cultures characterized by idolatry, sexual perversion, and child sacrifice.

Israel's later exile proved they were not immune to judgment - when they adopted the abominations of the nations, God similarly expelled them from the land.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's judgment of Canaanite nations teach about His righteousness and holiness?
  2. How does Israel's unearned inheritance typify grace in receiving spiritual blessings?
  3. Why must those who receive inheritance avoid the sins that brought judgment on previous occupants?
  4. What does Israel's later exile teach about God's impartiality in judgment?
  5. How should understanding grace as unearned inheritance affect our stewardship of spiritual blessings?

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

יַכְרִ֞ית2 of 17

“hath 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

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 17

“When the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ4 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)

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם6 of 17

“the nations”

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁר֙7 of 17
H834

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

יְהוָ֣ה8 of 17

“When the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ9 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

נֹתֵ֥ן10 of 17

“giveth”

H5414

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

לְךָ֖11 of 17
H0
אֶת12 of 17
H853

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

אַרְצָ֑ם13 of 17

“whose land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕ם14 of 17

“thee 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

וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֥15 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

בְעָֽרֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 17

“in their cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּבְבָֽתֵּיהֶֽם׃17 of 17

“and in their houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 19:1 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 19:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 12:29Deuteronomy 6:10Deuteronomy 7:1-2Deuteronomy 17:14Deuteronomy 12:1

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