King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:4 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:4 in the King James Version says “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteous...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.”

Deuteronomy 9:4 · KJV

Context

2

A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!

3

Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

4

Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

5

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

6

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses warns against self-righteousness: 'Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land.' The temptation to attribute blessing to personal merit is addressed preemptively. Moses insists the conquest occurs 'because of the wickedness of these nations'—God's judgment on Canaanite sin, not Israel's righteousness. This establishes a crucial principle: grace, not merit, drives redemption. Israel's later history proves their unworthiness, yet God remains faithful to covenant promises.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite religion involved practices God condemned: child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21), cultic prostitution, and idolatry. Archaeological evidence confirms these practices, particularly child sacrifice at sites like Carthage (a Phoenician colony). God's judgment on Canaan was righteous response to accumulated evil (Genesis 15:16 mentions Amorite iniquity reaching fullness). This doesn't exonerate Israel—they too deserved judgment, making God's choice of them pure grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How are you tempted to view God's blessings as earned rather than gracious gifts?
  2. What does God's judgment on Canaanite wickedness teach about His holiness and justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אַל1 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

לֵאמֹר֒2 of 22

“Speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּלְבָֽבְךָ֗3 of 22

“not thou in thine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

בַּֽהֲדֹ֣ף4 of 22

“hath cast them out”

H1920

to push away or down

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 22

“after that the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ6 of 22

“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

אֹתָ֥ם׀7 of 22
H853

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

מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃8 of 22

“from 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

לֵאמֹר֒9 of 22

“Speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּצִדְקָתִי֙10 of 22

“For my righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

הֱבִיאַ֣נִי11 of 22

“hath brought me in”

H935

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

יְהוָ֖ה12 of 22

“after that the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙13 of 22

“doth drive them out”

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

אֶת14 of 22
H853

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

הָאָ֣רֶץ15 of 22

“this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֑את16 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙17 of 22

“doth drive them out”

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

הַגּוֹיִ֣ם18 of 22

“of these nations”

H1471

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

הָאֵ֔לֶּה19 of 22
H428

these or those

יְהוָ֖ה20 of 22

“after that the LORD”

H3068

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

מֽוֹרִישָׁ֥ם21 of 22

“but for the wickedness”

H7564

wrong (especially moral)

מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃22 of 22

“from 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

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 9:4 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 9:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 8:17Deuteronomy 18:9-142 Timothy 1:9Deuteronomy 9:5Leviticus 18:24-301 Corinthians 4:7

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