Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.

DEUTERONOMY 1:7KJV
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Deuteronomy 1:7 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 1:7 mean?

Deuteronomy 1:7 records God’s command for the Israelites to leave where they have been staying and travel into the land He has promised them, specifically naming the regions and peoples they are to encounter. The verse lays out the boundaries of the land, showing the wide area God is giving to Israel.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they are camped near the border of Canaan, recounting God’s earlier instructions. The verse lists the different types of terrain and regions—mountains, plains, valleys, the southern area, the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, Lebanon, and as far as the Euphrates River—emphasizing the vastness and diversity of the land God is directing them to enter.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 1:7

  • "Turn" (פְּנוּ, penu; H6437) means to change direction or focus. Here, it signals a shift from staying put to actively moving forward as God commands.
  • "Journey" (סְּעוּ, sū; H5265) is often used for setting out on a significant trip, especially one with purpose or mission, highlighting that this is not a casual move but a directed journey.
  • "Mount" (הָהָר, hahar; H2022) and "hills" (הָהָר, hahar; H2022) use the same word, showing that the "mount of the Amorites" and the "hills" are related regions, not entirely separate.
  • "Vale" (שְּׁפֵלָה, shephelah; H8219) refers to lowlands or valleys, a specific geographic area in Canaan, showing the detail in God’s promise.

Why Deuteronomy 1:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s promise to Israel was not limited to a small area but included a broad and varied land, from mountains to plains to distant rivers.
  • The detailed listing of regions and peoples shows the completeness of God’s instruction and the scope of what He is giving, countering any idea that the promise was vague or limited.
  • By recounting this command, Moses reminds the people that their journey is at God’s direction, not just their own desire, connecting their history to God’s ongoing guidance and faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“side” Hebrew H2348 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • Jeremiah 47:7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.

“vale” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • Judges 1:9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.

“Euphrates” Hebrew H6578 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 24:7 And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
  • Jeremiah 13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

“nigh” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 79:4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
  • Jeremiah 6:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.