King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:17 in the King James Version says “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?”

Deuteronomy 7:17 · KJV

Context

15

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

16

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.

17

If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?

18

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

19

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid .

Read Deuteronomy 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse anticipates Israel's fear when facing militarily superior enemies. 'If thou shalt say in thine heart' addresses internal doubt and discouragement. The nations are 'more than I'—numerically and militarily superior. The question 'how can I dispossess them?' is human reason calculating impossibility. Faith, however, calculates based on God's power and promises, not visible circumstances. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: Abraham facing the impossibility of offspring (Romans 4:19-21), Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14), David confronting Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47). God deliberately places His people in impossible situations to demonstrate His power and cultivate faith. The Christian life requires faith that overcomes human calculation (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Canaanite city-states possessed advanced military technology including iron chariots, fortified cities with massive walls (Jericho's walls were 12-15 feet thick), and professional armies. From human perspective, Israel's conquest was militarily impossible—they were recently-freed slaves without advanced weaponry or siege equipment. Archaeological evidence confirms the formidable nature of Canaanite defenses. Yet God's power overcame these obstacles (Jericho's walls falling, hailstones killing enemies, the sun standing still). This demonstrated that God's promises don't depend on favorable circumstances but on His sovereign power.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'impossible' circumstances are you facing that require faith in God's power rather than human calculation?
  2. How do you battle discouragement when facing enemies 'greater and mightier' than yourself?
  3. In what ways does God deliberately place you in situations where only His power can bring victory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כִּ֤י1 of 10
H3588

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

תֹאמַר֙2 of 10

“If thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּלְבָ֣בְךָ֔3 of 10

“in thine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

רַבִּ֛ים4 of 10

“are more”

H7227

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

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם5 of 10

“These nations”

H1471

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

הָאֵ֖לֶּה6 of 10
H428

these or those

מִמֶּ֑נִּי7 of 10
H4480

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

אֵיכָ֥ה8 of 10

“than I how”

H349

how? or how!; also where

אוּכַ֖ל9 of 10

“can”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהֽוֹרִישָֽׁם׃10 of 10

“I dispossess”

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

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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 33:53Numbers 13:32Isaiah 49:21Joshua 17:16-18Isaiah 47:8Deuteronomy 8:17

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