Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֖א
H3808
לֹ֖א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִּֽירָא֑וּם
Ye shall not fear
H3372
תִּֽירָא֑וּם
Ye shall not fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 8
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה
them for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
them for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 8
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
ה֖וּא
H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Exodus 14:14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.Deuteronomy 20:4For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.Deuteronomy 1:30The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;Joshua 10:42And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.2 Chronicles 20:17Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.2 Chronicles 20:29And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.Psalms 44:3For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.2 Chronicles 13:12And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.Numbers 21:34And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Historical Context
This principle proved true throughout the conquest: Jericho's walls fell miraculously (Joshua 6), hailstones killed more enemies than Israel's sword (Joshua 10:11), and God confused enemies into self-destruction (Judges 7). When God fights, human contribution is secondary to divine power.
Questions for Reflection
- What battles are you fighting in your strength instead of trusting God to fight for you?
- How does knowing God fights for you change your emotional response to challenges?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Ye shall not fear them' directly addresses the natural human response to overwhelming opposition. The reason—'for the LORD your God he shall fight for you'—shifts focus from human weakness to divine strength. This isn't denial of difficulty but recognition that ultimate power doesn't rest with us. When God commits to fighting for His people, the outcome is certain regardless of apparent odds.