Deuteronomy 10:11
And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ק֛וּם
unto me Arise
H6965
ק֛וּם
unto me Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
4 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לֵ֥ךְ
H1980
לֵ֥ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְמַסַּ֖ע
thy journey
H4550
לְמַסַּ֖ע
thy journey
Strong's:
H4550
Word #:
6 of 17
a departure (from striking the tents), i.e., march (not necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָעָ֑ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְיָבֹ֙אוּ֙
that they may go in
H935
וְיָבֹ֙אוּ֙
that they may go in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְיִֽירְשׁ֣וּ
and possess
H3423
וְיִֽירְשׁ֣וּ
and possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
10 of 17
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 #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי
which I sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי
which I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
14 of 17
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם
unto their fathers
H1
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם
unto their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Exodus 33:1And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:Exodus 32:34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
Historical Context
This command came after Moses's 40-day intercession following the golden calf incident (Deuteronomy 9-10). The journey resumed from Mount Horeb (Sinai) toward Canaan, approximately 40 years after the exodus (1446 BC traditional chronology).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness to His sworn promises despite Israel's sin encourage you when you fail?
- What does Israel's restoration after the golden calf reveal about God's commitment to His redemptive plan in Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Arise, take thy journey before the people—After the covenant renewal (new stone tablets in 10:1-5) and Moses's successful intercession, God commands the journey to resume. The phrase that they may go in and possess the land (וִירְשׁוּ, virshu) uses the Qal imperfect of yarash, emphasizing the ongoing process of conquest. Despite Israel's catastrophic failure with the golden calf, God's purposes remain unchanged.
Which I sware unto their fathers grounds the promise in the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21). God's oath-bound commitment transcends Israel's unfaithfulness—a theme Paul develops in Romans 11:29: 'the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.' This verse demonstrates that divine election secures salvation despite human sin.