Deuteronomy 2:25
This 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.
Original Language Analysis
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
אָחֵל֙
will I begin
H2490
אָחֵל֙
will I begin
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
תֵּ֤ת
to put
H5414
תֵּ֤ת
to put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
פַּחְדְּךָ֙
the dread
H6343
פַּחְדְּךָ֙
the dread
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
5 of 18
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
וְיִרְאָ֣תְךָ֔
of thee and the fear
H3374
וְיִרְאָ֣תְךָ֔
of thee and the fear
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
6 of 18
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
because of thee
H6440
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
because of thee
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תַּ֖חַת
H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
10 of 18
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
that are under the whole heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
that are under the whole heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
12 of 18
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשְׁמְעוּן֙
who shall hear
H8085
יִשְׁמְעוּן֙
who shall hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
שִׁמְעֲךָ֔
report
H8088
שִׁמְעֲךָ֔
report
Strong's:
H8088
Word #:
15 of 18
something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience
וְרָֽגְז֥וּ
of thee and shall tremble
H7264
וְרָֽגְז֥וּ
of thee and shall tremble
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
16 of 18
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:25There 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.Deuteronomy 28:10And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.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.Revelation 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.Psalms 105:38Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.Joshua 9:24And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Historical Context
This promise was fulfilled repeatedly: Rahab's confession (Joshua 2:9-11), the Gibeonites' deception to make peace (Joshua 9:9-10), and various Canaanite nations' fear (Joshua 5:1). The exodus from Egypt, Red Sea crossing, and victories over Sihon and Og created widespread awareness of Israel's God. Ancient Near Eastern records confirm that significant military events and religious claims spread rapidly through trade routes and diplomatic channels.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to fight for His people encourage you when facing overwhelming opposition?
- What does the spreading 'fame' of God's works teach about the evangelistic impact of God's mighty acts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises to put 'dread of thee and fear of thee upon the nations' who hear of Israel. This divine terror goes beyond natural military intimidation—it's supernatural fear that God Himself places on Israel's enemies (as with Rahab's testimony in Joshua 2:9-11). The phrase 'under the whole heaven' emphasizes the universal scope—news of God's acts on Israel's behalf would spread throughout the known world. This fulfilled the promise to Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed (or in this case, warned of God's power).