Deuteronomy Chapter 11 · Verse 24
Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be your's: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמָּק֗וֹם
Every place
H4725
הַמָּק֗וֹם
Every place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ
shall tread
H1869
תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ
shall tread
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
4 of 21
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
כַּֽף
whereon the soles
H3709
כַּֽף
whereon the soles
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
5 of 21
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
רַגְלְכֶ֛ם
of your feet
H7272
רַגְלְכֶ֛ם
of your feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 21
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמִּדְבָּ֨ר
shall be yours from the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֨ר
shall be yours from the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 21
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נְהַר
from the river
H5104
נְהַר
from the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
14 of 21
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
נְהַר
from the river
H5104
נְהַר
from the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
15 of 21
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
וְעַד֙
H5704
וְעַד֙
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיָּ֣ם
sea
H3220
הַיָּ֣ם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
18 of 21
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
הָֽאַחֲר֔וֹן
even unto the uttermost
H314
הָֽאַחֲר֔וֹן
even unto the uttermost
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
19 of 21
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
Cross References
Joshua 14:9And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.Exodus 23:31And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.1 Kings 4:21And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.2 Chronicles 9:26And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
Historical Context
The specified boundaries match God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18): 'from the river of Egypt to...the river Euphrates.' David's conquests (2 Samuel 8:3) reached Euphrates, and Solomon's kingdom extended from 'the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt' (1 Kings 4:21). However, Israel never maintained permanent control, and divided kingdom after Solomon shrunk territory further. The promise remains partially unfulfilled, perhaps awaiting eschatological fulfillment in Messiah's reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this promise illustrate the principle that God's blessings often require our active participation to possess?
- What does Israel's partial conquest teach about the consequences of incomplete obedience?
- How might this territorial promise relate to Messianic kingdom prophecies of universal dominion?
Analysis & Commentary
The extent of conquest: 'Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours.' This promise links possession to actual occupation—Israel must physically enter and claim the land. The boundaries specified: 'from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea.' This describes maximum extent: southern wilderness (Negev), northern Lebanon, eastern Euphrates, western Mediterranean. Joshua 1:3-4 repeats this promise. Remarkably, Israel never fully possessed these boundaries except briefly under Solomon (1 Kings 4:21, 24), suggesting partial obedience yielded partial blessing. Full obedience would have yielded full inheritance.