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.

EXODUS 34:11KJV
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Exodus 34:11 (KJV)

What does Exodus 34:11 mean?

Exodus 34:11 is a command from God to the Israelites, telling them to carefully follow what He is instructing them that day, because He Himself will drive out several specific groups—the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—from the land ahead of them. God is making it clear that He will take action to remove these peoples so the Israelites can enter the promised land.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Moses, who is to pass these instructions on to the people of Israel. The setting is after the renewal of the covenant, following the incident with the golden calf. God’s promise to drive out these nations highlights both His authority and His commitment to give the Israelites a land of their own, but it also comes with the expectation that they obey His commands.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 34:11

  • "Observe" (שָׁמַר, shamar, H8104) means to keep, guard, or pay careful attention. Here, it stresses the seriousness of following God’s instructions, not just hearing them.
  • "Drive out" (גָּרַשׁ, garash, H1644) carries the sense of forcefully expelling or removing. This word shows that God is not just relocating these peoples but actively removing obstacles from Israel’s path.
  • The list of nations—Amorite (אֱמֹרִי, Emori, H567), Canaanite (כְּנַעֲנִי, Kena‘ani, H3669), Hittite (חִתִּי, Chitti, H2850), Perizzite (פְּרִזִּי, Perizzi, H6522), Hivite (חִוִּי, Chivvi, H2340), and Jebusite (יְבוּסִי, Yevusi, H2983)—names the main groups living in Canaan at the time. Listing them specifically underlines the completeness of God’s promise and the real, historical context.

Why Exodus 34:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the removal of these nations is God’s action, not just Israel’s military effort, emphasizing God’s role in fulfilling His promises.
  • The command to “observe” highlights that God’s blessings are closely tied to Israel’s obedience, setting the tone for the covenant relationship.
  • By naming the nations, Exodus 34:11 connects to earlier promises in Genesis and Exodus, showing continuity in God’s plan and reminding the Israelites of the specific land and challenges ahead.

Where else these words appear

“Perizzite” 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.
  • Deuteronomy 7:1 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;
  • 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.

“Hivite” 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:

“Jebusite” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

“out” Hebrew H1644 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • Leviticus 21:14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 17:21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?