Deuteronomy 11:25
There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב
be able to stand
H3320
יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב
be able to stand
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
2 of 19
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
אִ֖ישׁ
There shall no man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
There shall no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
פְּנֵ֤י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֤י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
פַּחְדְּכֶ֨ם
the fear
H6343
פַּחְדְּכֶ֨ם
the fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
5 of 19
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
וּמֽוֹרַאֲכֶ֜ם
of you and the dread
H4172
וּמֽוֹרַאֲכֶ֜ם
of you and the dread
Strong's:
H4172
Word #:
6 of 19
fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed
יִתֵּ֣ן׀
shall lay
H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן׀
shall lay
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
you for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
you for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֤י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֤י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּדְרְכוּ
that ye shall tread
H1869
תִּדְרְכוּ
that ye shall tread
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
15 of 19
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Exodus 23:27I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.Deuteronomy 7:24And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Deuteronomy 2:25This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.Joshua 5:1And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.Joshua 2:9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
Historical Context
Rahab confessed: 'the terror of you is fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you' (Joshua 2:9). The Canaanite coalition 'melted' in fear (Joshua 5:1). Exodus 23:27 promised 'I will send my fear before thee.' This psychological warfare reflects ancient Near Eastern concept of divine terror (melammu in Akkadian) associated with deity presence. Israel's victories often came through enemy panic (Judges 7:22; 1 Samuel 14:15-20) rather than superior force.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God fight spiritual battles on our behalf before we engage visible challenges?
- What role does fear (reverential awe of God) play in Christian spiritual warfare?
- How can we cultivate confidence that no enemy can 'stand before' us when we walk in obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The promise: 'There shall no man be able to stand before you.' This assures military invincibility under covenant obedience. The mechanism: 'the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land.' God will fight psychologically before Israel fights physically—supernatural terror will paralyze enemies. The Hebrew pachad (פַּחַד, fear) and mora (מוֹרָא, dread/terror) indicate paralyzing fear. This strategy appeared at Red Sea (Exodus 15:14-16), with Rahab's testimony (Joshua 2:9-11), and Gibeonite surrender (Joshua 9:24). Divine terror is spiritual weapon that defeats enemies before battle begins.