King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:5 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:5 in the King James Version says “And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I h...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 31:5 · KJV

Context

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.

6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

7

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD shall give them up before your face (וּנְתָנָם יְהוָה לִפְנֵיכֶם unetanam YHWH lifneikhem)—natan (give, deliver) emphasizes divine agency in victory. God delivers the Canaanites into Israel's hand; they don't conquer through superior military might. That ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you—Israel's military action must conform to Torah stipulations regarding warfare (Deuteronomy 7:1-5, 20:10-18).

This verse balances divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God gives the victory (sovereignty), but Israel must act in obedience (responsibility). They cannot claim God fights for them while disobeying His commands. The Canaanite conquest was holy war with strict ethical boundaries: spare fruit trees (20:19-20), offer terms of peace to distant cities (20:10-15), execute herem (devotion to destruction) only on Canaanite nations within the land (20:16-18). This wasn't license for brutality but disciplined execution of divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest occurred 1406-1399 BC (traditional dating) under Joshua's leadership. Israel's initial victories (Jericho, Ai, the southern and northern campaigns) were dramatic, but complete conquest took generations (Judges 1-2). Israel's failure to fully obey the "commandments" regarding Canaanite elimination led to persistent idolatry and the judge cycles. The command to destroy Canaanite religion was protective, not xenophobic—syncretism proved Israel's downfall exactly as Moses warned.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance trusting God's sovereignty with fulfilling your responsibility to obey His commands?
  2. What areas of 'incomplete conquest' in your spiritual life allow sin to remain and cause ongoing problems?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וּנְתָנָ֥ם1 of 10

“shall give them up”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 10

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם3 of 10

“before your face”

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

וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם4 of 10

“that ye may do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהֶ֔ם5 of 10
H0
כְּכָל6 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּצְוָ֔ה7 of 10

“unto them according unto all the commandments”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 10
H834

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

צִוִּ֖יתִי9 of 10

“which I have commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶתְכֶֽם׃10 of 10
H853

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

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 31:5 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 31:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:2Deuteronomy 20:16-17Exodus 23:32-33Deuteronomy 7:23-25Numbers 33:52-56Exodus 34:12-16

Test Your Knowledge

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

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