Deuteronomy Chapter 2 · Verse 25

Authorized King James Version

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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
הַזֶּ֗ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 2 of 18
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
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)
וְחָל֖וּ and be in anguish H2342
וְחָל֖וּ and be in anguish
Strong's: H2342
Word #: 17 of 18
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃ because of thee H6440
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃ because of thee
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 18 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

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).

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