Deuteronomy Chapter 12 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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)
הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ Jordan H3383
הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ Jordan
Strong's: H3383
Word #: 3 of 17
jarden, the principal river of palestine
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
בָּאָ֔רֶץ in the land H776
בָּאָ֔רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
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
לָכֶ֧ם H0
לָכֶ֧ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 17
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)
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֛ם from all your enemies H341
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֛ם from all your enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 14 of 17
hating; an adversary
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
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם and dwell H3427
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם and dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בֶּֽטַח׃ in safety H983
בֶּֽטַח׃ in safety
Strong's: H983
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

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).

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