Deuteronomy Chapter 11 · Verse 23
Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
Original Language Analysis
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
drive out
H3423
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
drive out
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
1 of 12
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
יְהוָ֛ה
Then will the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
Then will the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גּוֹיִ֔ם
all these nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם
all these nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
5 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
from before
H6440
מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
drive out
H3423
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
drive out
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
8 of 12
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
גּוֹיִ֔ם
all these nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם
all these nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גְּדֹלִ֥ים
greater
H1419
גְּדֹלִ֥ים
greater
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 12
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:38To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 9:1Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,
Historical Context
Canaanite cities like Jericho, Hazor, and Megiddo had fortified walls, iron chariots (Judges 1:19), and professional armies. By human calculation, scattered Israelite tribes couldn't prevail. But Jericho's miraculous fall (Joshua 6), the Gibeonite hailstorm (Joshua 10:11), and other divine interventions proved God's promise. Conversely, Ai's defeat after Achan's sin (Joshua 7) showed disobedience's consequences. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread destruction of Canaanite cities in late Bronze Age, consistent with conquest accounts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage challenge trust in human strength, technology, or strategy above reliance on God?
- What 'giants' in your life seem 'greater and mightier' than your resources, requiring divine intervention?
- How do we balance human effort (fighting battles) with trust in divine provision (God giving victory)?
Analysis & Commentary
The promise: 'Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you.' Victory over Canaan depends on covenant obedience, not military strength. The phrase 'nations greater and mightier than yourselves' acknowledges enemy superiority in human terms. Yet covenantal obedience guarantees divine intervention: God will 'drive out' (yarash, יָרַשׁ, dispossess) Israel's enemies. This echoes Exodus 23:27-30, where God promises gradual conquest. The conditional 'then' ties military success to spiritual faithfulness. This theology reappears throughout Judges: obedience → victory; apostasy → defeat.