King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:11 Mean?

Exodus 34:11 in the King James Version says “Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.”

Exodus 34:11 · KJV

Context

9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

10

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

11

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

12

Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

13

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: images: Heb. statues

Read Exodus 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The covenant begins with 'Observe thou' (שְׁמָר־לְךָ, shomar-lekha)—a command to careful, vigilant obedience. God promises to drive out six nations before Israel (Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites). This divine warfare is not ethnic cleansing but judgment on nations whose iniquity has 'come to the full' (Gen 15:16). God fights for His people, but they must not compromise with idolatry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These six nations inhabited Canaan and practiced religious rituals including child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and divination—practices God had forbidden Israel (Lev 18:21-30, Deut 18:9-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance trusting God to fight your battles while maintaining personal vigilance?
  2. What 'covenants' or compromises does God warn you to avoid in your context?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
שְׁמָ֨ר1 of 17

“Observe”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לְךָ֔2 of 17
H0
אֵ֛ת3 of 17
H853

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 17
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֖י5 of 17
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֣6 of 17

“thou that which I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֑וֹם7 of 17

“thee this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הִנְנִ֧י8 of 17
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

גֹרֵ֣שׁ9 of 17

“behold I drive out”

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

מִפָּנֶ֗יךָ10 of 17

“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

אֶת11 of 17
H853

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

הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙12 of 17

“thee the Amorite”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י13 of 17

“and the Canaanite”

H3669

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

וְהַֽחִתִּי֙14 of 17

“and the Hittite”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י15 of 17

“and the Perizzite”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽחִוִּ֖י16 of 17

“and the Hivite”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃17 of 17

“and the Jebusite”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 34:11 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 Exodus 34:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 33:2Exodus 3:17Deuteronomy 6:25-7:1Deuteronomy 6:3Exodus 3:8Genesis 15:18-21

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