Deuteronomy 9:1 - Hear, Israel! You are to pass over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to the sky,
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What does "Deuteronomy 9:1" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 9:1 is a powerful and slightly intimidating opening to a speech by Moses to the Israelites just before they are about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of Canaan. Let's break down what it means:
"Hear, Israel!": This is a classic opening, calling the entire nation to pay close attention to what Moses is about to say. It's a command for focus and anticipation.
"You are to pass over the Jordan today...": This states the imminent nature of the task. They are on the verge of entering the land promised to their ancestors. Crossing the Jordan is a significant act, marking a new chapter in their history.
"...to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself...": This is the core challenge. The Israelites are about to face the existing inhabitants of Canaan. God acknowledges that these nations are stronger than Israel. This isn't a land grab against weak opponents; it's a confrontation with formidable forces. "Dispossess" means to take away their possessions and land, essentially driving them out.
"...cities great and fortified up to the sky...": This emphasizes the difficulty of the task. The cities of Canaan are not small, easily conquered settlements. They are large, well-defended, and impressively built. The hyperbole "fortified up to the sky" underscores their immense size and seemingly impenetrable defenses.
In essence, this verse serves as both a warning and a promise:
Warning: The task ahead is daunting. The Israelites are not inherently stronger or more skilled than the people they will be fighting.
Promise (implied): Despite the overwhelming odds, God is with them. The fact that He is commanding them to do this implies that He will provide the strength and means to overcome these challenges. The verse sets the stage for Moses to later explain that it is not Israel's own righteousness or strength, but God's faithfulness and promise to their ancestors, that will allow them to succeed (which he elaborates on later in Deuteronomy 9).
Significance:
This verse is important because it emphasizes the role of faith and dependence on God. It highlights that Israel's success will not be due to their own power but to God's intervention. It also foreshadows the challenges and battles they will face, reminding them to remain humble and reliant on God throughout the conquest of Canaan.
Deuteronomy 9:1 - Hear, Israel! You are to pass over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to the sky,
What does "Deuteronomy 9:1" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 9:1 is a powerful and slightly intimidating opening to a speech by Moses to the Israelites just before they are about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of Canaan. Let's break down what it means:
"Hear, Israel!": This is a classic opening, calling the entire nation to pay close attention to what Moses is about to say. It's a command for focus and anticipation.
"You are to pass over the Jordan today...": This states the imminent nature of the task. They are on the verge of entering the land promised to their ancestors. Crossing the Jordan is a significant act, marking a new chapter in their history.
"...to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself...": This is the core challenge. The Israelites are about to face the existing inhabitants of Canaan. God acknowledges that these nations are stronger than Israel. This isn't a land grab against weak opponents; it's a confrontation with formidable forces. "Dispossess" means to take away their possessions and land, essentially driving them out.
"...cities great and fortified up to the sky...": This emphasizes the difficulty of the task. The cities of Canaan are not small, easily conquered settlements. They are large, well-defended, and impressively built. The hyperbole "fortified up to the sky" underscores their immense size and seemingly impenetrable defenses.
In essence, this verse serves as both a warning and a promise:
Warning: The task ahead is daunting. The Israelites are not inherently stronger or more skilled than the people they will be fighting.
Promise (implied): Despite the overwhelming odds, God is with them. The fact that He is commanding them to do this implies that He will provide the strength and means to overcome these challenges. The verse sets the stage for Moses to later explain that it is not Israel's own righteousness or strength, but God's faithfulness and promise to their ancestors, that will allow them to succeed (which he elaborates on later in Deuteronomy 9).
Significance:
This verse is important because it emphasizes the role of faith and dependence on God. It highlights that Israel's success will not be due to their own power but to God's intervention. It also foreshadows the challenges and battles they will face, reminding them to remain humble and reliant on God throughout the conquest of Canaan.