And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.

DEUTERONOMY 31:4KJV
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Deuteronomy 31:4 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 31:4 mean?

Deuteronomy 31:4 says that the LORD will defeat Israel’s enemies just as He defeated Sihon and Og, two kings of the Amorites, and destroyed their land. This verse reassures the Israelites that God will act for them in the future as He has in the past.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. Moses reminds them of God’s past victories over Sihon and Og—powerful kings who opposed Israel during their journey. By pointing to these specific examples, Moses encourages the people to trust that God will handle their new challenges in the same way.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 31:4

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God used throughout the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises.
  • destroyed (שָׁמַד, shamad): This word means to completely wipe out or annihilate. Its use here stresses the total defeat of Sihon and Og, highlighting the thoroughness of God’s actions on behalf of Israel.
  • Amorites (אֱמֹרִי, Emori): The Amorites were a significant group of people living in Canaan. Mentioning them specifically reminds the Israelites of the real and recent victories God gave them over formidable opponents.

Why Deuteronomy 31:4 matters

  • This verse clears up any fear the Israelites might have about facing new enemies by grounding their confidence in God’s proven track record.
  • The mention of Sihon and Og connects this promise to real historical events the Israelites had witnessed, making the reassurance practical and personal.
  • Deuteronomy 31:4 sets the tone for the following verses, where Moses encourages Joshua and the people to be strong and courageous because of God’s ongoing help.

Where else these words appear

“Og” Hebrew H5747 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

“Sihon” Hebrew H5511 · used in 34 verses

  • Numbers 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
  • Joshua 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

“destroyed” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.