Deuteronomy 1:8
Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
Original Language Analysis
רְאֵ֛ה
Behold
H7200
רְאֵ֛ה
Behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
לָתֵ֣ת
I have set
H5414
לָתֵ֣ת
I have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּרְשׁ֣וּ
in and possess
H3423
וּרְשׁ֣וּ
in and possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
7 of 20
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֣ע
sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֣ע
sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
11 of 20
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
יְ֠הוָה
which the LORD
H3068
יְ֠הוָה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם
unto your fathers
H1
לַאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם
unto your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
13 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לָתֵ֣ת
I have set
H5414
לָתֵ֣ת
I have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Genesis 12:7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.Genesis 15:18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Historical Context
This reiterates the Abrahamic covenant established 600+ years earlier (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 17:8). The land promise was unconditional, based solely on God's oath to the patriarchs, demonstrating the unchangeable nature of God's covenantal commitments.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding grace as God's initiative change your relationship with Him?
- In what areas are you trying to earn what God has already freely given?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'Behold, I have set the land before you' emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in giving the land. The Hebrew 'nathan' (set/given) indicates an irrevocable gift already determined by God. Moses reminds Israel that their inheritance flows from God's covenant faithfulness to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not from their own merit. This underscores the principle that salvation and blessing come through God's promise, not human achievement.