When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

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

What does Deuteronomy 7:1 mean?

Deuteronomy 7:1 says that when the LORD (God) brings the Israelites into the land they are about to enter, He will drive out seven nations that are larger and stronger than them: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The verse highlights God’s promise to clear the way for Israel to take possession of the land.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter Canaan after wandering in the wilderness. The verse lists the specific nations living in the land, emphasizing both their number and their strength compared to Israel. The focus is on God’s active role in making it possible for Israel to settle in the promised land, despite the apparent odds.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 7:1

  • The word for "LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated as "Yahweh"), which is the personal name of Israel’s God, underscoring a covenant relationship.
  • The word for "God" is אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), a general term for God that can also mean "mighty one," highlighting God’s power in this context.
  • The word for "nations" is גּוֹיִם (goyim), which refers to peoples or groups distinct from Israel, stressing the foreignness and diversity of those in the land.
  • The phrase "greater and mightier" uses רַבִּים (rabbim, "many" or "greater") and עָצוּם (atsum, "mighty" or "strong"), emphasizing that these nations are not only numerous but also powerful, making God’s promise more striking.

Why Deuteronomy 7:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s success in taking the land is not due to their own strength but because God will act on their behalf, setting the tone for the chapters that follow.
  • Listing the seven nations by name shows the real and daunting challenge ahead, making God’s promise more concrete and the coming conquest more dramatic.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of Deuteronomy, where Moses reminds Israel to trust in God’s faithfulness and not be intimidated by obstacles, preparing them for the responsibilities of living in the land.