King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 3:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 3:20 in the King James Version says “Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the L... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

Deuteronomy 3:20 · KJV


Context

18

And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. meet: Heb. sons of power

19

But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ( for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;

20

Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

21

And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest.

22

Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The promise 'Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you' establishes the time limit for military service—until all tribes possess their inheritance. The phrase 'they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them' emphasizes corporate blessing—everyone receives what God promised. The release 'then shall ye return every man unto his possession' assures them their sacrifice has an end point. Temporary sacrifice yields permanent blessing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This military service lasted approximately 7 years during Joshua's conquest campaigns. Joshua 22 records their honorable discharge and return home with blessing. Their faithful service despite having received inheritance first became a model of covenant loyalty and communal responsibility.

Reflection Questions

  1. What temporary sacrifices is God calling you to make for others' blessing?
  2. How does knowing the sacrifice has an endpoint help you endure faithfully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
עַ֠ד1 of 24
H5704

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

אֲשֶׁר2 of 24
H834

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

יָנִ֨יחַ3 of 24

have given rest

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יְהוָ֧ה4 of 24

Until the LORD

H3068

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

לַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֮5 of 24

unto your brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

כָּכֶם֒6 of 24
H0
וְיָֽרְשׁ֣וּ7 of 24

as well as unto you and until they also 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

גַם8 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֔ם9 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶת10 of 24
H853

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

הָאָ֕רֶץ11 of 24

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 24
H834

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

יְהוָ֧ה13 of 24

Until the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם14 of 24

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

נָתַ֖תִּי15 of 24

hath given

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם16 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּעֵ֣בֶר17 of 24

them beyond

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן18 of 24

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם19 of 24

and then shall ye return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אִ֚ישׁ20 of 24

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לִֽירֻשָּׁת֔וֹ21 of 24

unto his possession

H3425

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֖תִּי23 of 24

hath given

H5414

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

לָכֶֽם׃24 of 24
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 3:20 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 3:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study