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.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H5394 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Joshua 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

“Girgashites” Hebrew H1622 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:14 The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

“Perizzites” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Exodus 34:11 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.
  • Joshua 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

“Hivites” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
  • Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: