Deuteronomy 12:29

Authorized King James Version

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When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַכְרִית֩ shall cut off H3772
יַכְרִית֩ shall cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 2 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
יְהוָ֨ה When the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֨ה When the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 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
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 6 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אַתָּ֥ה H859
אַתָּ֥ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 8 of 17
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
בָא thee whither thou goest H935
בָא thee whither thou goest
Strong's: H935
Word #: 9 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֛מָּה H8033
שָׁ֛מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 10 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣ them and thou succeedest H3423
וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣ them and thou succeedest
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 11 of 17
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
אוֹתָ֖ם H853
אוֹתָ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ from before H6440
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ from before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 13 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣ them and thou succeedest H3423
וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֣ them and thou succeedest
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 14 of 17
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
אֹתָ֔ם H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֖ them and dwellest H3427
וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֖ them and dwellest
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
בְּאַרְצָֽם׃ in their land H776
בְּאַרְצָֽם׃ in their land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 17 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

Warning against Canaanite practices: 'When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land.' This acknowledges God as agent of conquest—He 'cuts off' (יַכְרִית, yakhrit, destroys) the nations. Israel will 'succeed' (יָרַשׁ, yarash, inherit/dispossess) them, taking possession. The sequence—God destroys → Israel possesses → Israel settles—establishes divine initiative followed by human participation. This sets up the critical warning in verse 30: victory over enemies doesn't guarantee immunity from their spiritual influence. Physical conquest must be matched by spiritual vigilance.

Historical Context

Joshua 1-12 narrates partial fulfillment—many Canaanites destroyed, but Judges 1 reveals incomplete conquest. Israelites failed to fully drive out inhabitants, leading to generations of syncretism. The very cultures they conquered spiritually conquered them through idolatry. Prophets repeatedly condemned Canaanite religious practices Israel adopted: Baal worship, Asherah poles, child sacrifice. Physical victory without spiritual purity led to apostasy.

Questions for Reflection

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