King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:3 in the King James Version says “The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt posses...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.”

Deuteronomy 31:3 · KJV

Context

1

And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.

2

And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

3

The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

4

And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.

5

And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא עֹבֵר לְפָנֶיךָ YHWH Eloheikha hu over lefaneikha)—the emphatic hu ("he himself") stresses God's personal presence and leadership. Though Moses cannot cross Jordan, Yahweh will. He will destroy these nations from before thee—shamad (destroy) refers to divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness, not ethnic genocide. God Himself wages holy war against idolatry and moral corruption (Leviticus 18:24-28).

And Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said—Joshua is explicitly named as Moses' successor, fulfilling God's command in Numbers 27:18-23. The phrase "as the LORD hath said" grounds leadership transition in divine appointment, not human ambition. Joshua doesn't replace Yahweh's leadership but serves as His human representative. This establishes the pattern of Spirit-empowered, divinely-appointed leadership that continues through judges, kings, prophets, and ultimately Jesus (Yeshua), whose name Joshua bears in Hebrew.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua (Hebrew Yehoshua, "Yahweh is salvation") was Moses' assistant since the exodus (Exodus 24:13), leading Israel's army against Amalek (Exodus 17:9-13) and entering the tabernacle with Moses (Exodus 33:11). Forty years younger than Caleb (who was 85 at conquest's end, Joshua 14:10), Joshua was among the twelve spies and one of only two (with Caleb) who trusted God's promise (Numbers 14:6-9). His public commissioning here before "all Israel" transfers authority transparently, preventing succession disputes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to "go before" Israel encourage you when facing overwhelming challenges?
  2. What does Joshua's forty-year preparation period teach about God's patient development of leaders?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
יְהוָֽה׃1 of 19

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ2 of 19

“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

ה֣וּא׀3 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֹבֵ֣ר4 of 19

“he shall go over”

H5674

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

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ5 of 19

“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

הֽוּא6 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יַשְׁמִ֞יד7 of 19

“thee and he will destroy”

H8045

to desolate

אֶת8 of 19
H853

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

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם9 of 19

“these nations”

H1471

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

הָאֵ֛לֶּה10 of 19
H428

these or those

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ11 of 19

“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

וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑ם12 of 19

“thee and thou shalt 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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ13 of 19

“them and Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

ה֚וּא14 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֹבֵ֣ר15 of 19

“he shall go over”

H5674

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

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ16 of 19

“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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר17 of 19
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר18 of 19

“hath said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“The LORD”

H3068

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

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 31:3 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 31:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:3Deuteronomy 31:23Deuteronomy 3:28Joshua 4:14Numbers 27:18-21Joshua 1:2

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Deuteronomy 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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