Deuteronomy 1:7 - Turn, and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all the places near there, in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, by the seashore, in the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 1:7

What does "Deuteronomy 1:7" mean?


Deuteronomy 1:7 is part of Moses's opening speech to the Israelites, recounting their journey from Egypt and reminding them of God's commands. This particular verse is an instruction from God, relayed by Moses, to the Israelites, specifically telling them where to go next. Let's break it down:

"Turn, and take your journey...": This is a call to action. The Israelites had been encamped for a long time at Mount Sinai/Horeb (where they received the Law). It was time to move on and fulfill God's purpose for them.

"...and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all the places near there...": This is the general destination. The Amorites were a powerful people who inhabited the land God had promised to the Israelites. This signifies that they were to possess the land God had sworn to their ancestors.

"...in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, by the seashore...": This lists various geographical regions of the promised land. These are different areas in the region they are about to enter. The "Arabah" is the desert area south of the Dead Sea and the "seashore" refers to the Mediterranean coastline.

"...in the land of the Canaanites...": This clarifies that the "Amorites" are just one of the people groups inhabiting the broader region known as the land of Canaan. It re-emphasizes the scope of the land God is giving them.

"...and in Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.": This sets the boundaries of the territory God is giving to them. Lebanon is north of Canaan and the Euphrates River is far to the northeast. This implies a vast area that encompasses essentially all of the land from Lebanon in the north to the desert in the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Euphrates River in the northeast.

In essence, this verse is a divine order for the Israelites to begin their conquest of the Promised Land. It specifies the overall region, including various geographical areas, and defines the extent of the land that God is giving to them, stretching from Lebanon to the Euphrates.

Key takeaways:

Divine Command: This is not merely a suggestion, but a command from God.
Fulfillment of Promise: It's a step towards fulfilling God's promise to Abraham and his descendants.
Conquest and Possession: Implies that they will need to fight to take possession of the land.
Vast Territory: Highlights the vastness and richness of the inheritance God is giving them.

The significance of this verse lies in its demonstration of God's faithfulness to his promises, his provision for his people, and his expectation of their obedience in claiming what he has given them. It is also a reminder that the journey toward fulfilling God's purpose often requires action, courage, and trust.

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