Deuteronomy 12:10
But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
Original Language Analysis
וַֽעֲבַרְתֶּם֮
But when ye go over
H5674
וַֽעֲבַרְתֶּם֮
But when ye go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם
and dwell
H3427
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם
and dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 17
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
מַנְחִ֣יל
giveth you to inherit
H5157
מַנְחִ֣יל
giveth you to inherit
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
9 of 17
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהֵנִ֨יחַ
and when he giveth you rest
H5117
וְהֵנִ֨יחַ
and when he giveth you rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
11 of 17
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִסָּבִ֖יב
round about
H5439
מִסָּבִ֖יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
15 of 17
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
Cross References
Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 34:28And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.Deuteronomy 4:22But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.Deuteronomy 3:27Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.Deuteronomy 11:31For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.
Historical Context
This promise materialized in stages: partial fulfillment under Joshua (Joshua 21:43-45), greater fulfillment under David/Solomon (1 Kings 4:25; 5:4), but complete fulfillment awaits Messianic age. The divided kingdom, Assyrian/Babylonian invasions, and exile demonstrated Israel never achieved permanent rest through disobedience. Zechariah 8:12 promises eschatological safety. New Testament believers have spiritual rest now (Matthew 11:28) and await final rest in new creation (Revelation 21:3-4).
Questions for Reflection
- How does external security (rest from enemies) enable proper worship, and how does proper worship maintain security?
- What spiritual enemies has Christ given believers rest from, and how does this affect worship?
- How should Christians understand security and safety in a fallen world while awaiting ultimate rest?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The future promise: 'But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety.' This verse reiterates the sequence: cross Jordan → possess land → receive rest from enemies → dwell securely. The Hebrew shaqat (שָׁקַט, 'rest') and yashab betach (יָשַׁב בֶּטַח, 'dwell in safety') describe military security and domestic peace. Only when external threats cease can worship centralization be fully implemented. The verse implies that proper worship is both result of God's blessing (rest/safety) and means of maintaining it (centralized covenant faithfulness prevents idolatry that brings judgment).