King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:1 in the King James Version says “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations be... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Deuteronomy 7:1 · KJV


Context

1

When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

3

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's command to conquer Canaan establishes His sovereignty over nations and judgment upon wickedness. The seven nations—Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—represent complete and comprehensive opposition to God's holy purposes. The phrase 'greater and mightier than thou' emphasizes that victory depends on God's power, not Israel's strength. The Hebrew herem (devoted destruction) reflects God's holy judgment against idolatrous cultures whose iniquity had reached fullness (Genesis 15:16). This foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over spiritual enemies 'greater and mightier' than we are—sin, death, and Satan—accomplished not by our strength but by divine grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The seven Canaanite nations had occupied the land for centuries, developing sophisticated urban cultures with formidable military technology (chariots, fortified cities). Archaeological evidence from Jericho, Hazor, and other sites confirms the military superiority these nations possessed. Their religious practices included child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and other abominations that had filled up the measure of divine judgment (Leviticus 18:24-28). God's command to dispossess them demonstrates His role as Judge of all nations, executing temporal judgment on societies that had become irredeemably corrupt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over nations shape your understanding of history and current events?
  2. In what ways does Israel's conquest of Canaan foreshadow Christ's victory over spiritual enemies?
  3. What spiritual 'nations' (strongholds, patterns of sin) in your life require God's power to overcome?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כִּ֤י1 of 27
H3588

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

בָא2 of 27

shall bring

H935

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

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 27

When the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ4 of 27

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

אֶל5 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֕רֶץ6 of 27

thee into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר7 of 27
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה8 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָא9 of 27

shall bring

H935

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

שָׁ֖מָּה10 of 27
H8033

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

לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ11 of 27

to 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

וְנָשַׁ֣ל12 of 27

it and hath cast out

H5394

to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop

גוֹיִ֔ם13 of 27

nations

H1471

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

רַבִּ֥ים14 of 27

greater

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ15 of 27

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

הַֽחִתִּי֩16 of 27

thee the Hittites

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י17 of 27

and the Girgashites

H1622

a girgashite, one of the native tribes of canaan

וְהָֽאֱמֹרִ֜י18 of 27

and the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֣י19 of 27

and the Canaanites

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י20 of 27

and the Perizzites

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽחִוִּי֙21 of 27

and the Hivites

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י22 of 27

and the Jebusites

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

שִׁבְעָ֣ה23 of 27

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

גוֹיִ֔ם24 of 27

nations

H1471

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

רַבִּ֥ים25 of 27

greater

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וַֽעֲצוּמִ֖ים26 of 27

and mightier

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

מִמֶּֽךָּ׃27 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses


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 7:1 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 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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