There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

DEUTERONOMY 11:25KJV
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Deuteronomy 11:25 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 11:25 mean?

Deuteronomy 11:25 promises that no one will be able to stand against the Israelites because the LORD their God will cause everyone in the lands they enter to fear and dread them, just as He promised. This verse assures the people that God Himself will make their enemies afraid, clearing the way for them as they move into new territory.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He reminds them that God's promise includes not just victory in battle, but also a supernatural fear placed on others, making their journey and conquest possible. The verse highlights God's active role in fulfilling His word to the people.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 11:25

  • "man" (אִישׁ, ish): This word refers to any person or individual, emphasizing that no single person will be able to oppose the Israelites.
  • "stand" (יָכֹל, yakhol): This word often means to endure or withstand, showing that resistance against the Israelites will not succeed.
  • "fear" (פַּחַד, pachad) and "dread" (מוֹרָא, mora): These words describe not just ordinary fear, but a deep terror and awe. The verse uses both to stress that the reaction of the people in the land will be overwhelming and paralyzing.
  • "lay" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or place, showing that it is God who actively puts this fear and dread upon the people, not something the Israelites do themselves.

Why Deuteronomy 11:25 matters

  • Deuteronomy 11:25 clarifies that the Israelites' success is not just about their own strength or strategy, but about God's direct intervention on their behalf.
  • The verse connects to the broader message of Deuteronomy, where obedience to God leads to His protection and fulfillment of promises.
  • This verse helps explain why the inhabitants of Canaan were so fearful of the Israelites, as described in later stories, showing that God's actions were already at work before any battles began.

Where else these words appear

“dread” Hebrew H4172 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
  • Deuteronomy 34:12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
  • Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

“stand” Hebrew H3320 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
  • Joshua 24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

“fear” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
  • Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

“tread” Hebrew H1869 · used in 59 verses

  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Psalms 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
  • Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.