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 34:11KJVWhat 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.