Deuteronomy 31:5
And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
Original Language Analysis
וּנְתָנָ֥ם
shall give them up
H5414
וּנְתָנָ֥ם
shall give them up
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
before your face
H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
before your face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
that ye may do
H6213
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
that ye may do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּכָל
H3605
כְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמִּצְוָ֔ה
unto them according unto all the commandments
H4687
הַמִּצְוָ֔ה
unto them according unto all the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
7 of 10
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The conquest occurred 1406-1399 BC (traditional dating) under Joshua's leadership. Israel's initial victories (Jericho, Ai, the southern and northern campaigns) were dramatic, but complete conquest took generations (Judges 1-2). Israel's failure to fully obey the "commandments" regarding Canaanite elimination led to persistent idolatry and the judge cycles. The command to destroy Canaanite religion was protective, not xenophobic—syncretism proved Israel's downfall exactly as Moses warned.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance trusting God's sovereignty with fulfilling your responsibility to obey His commands?
- What areas of 'incomplete conquest' in your spiritual life allow sin to remain and cause ongoing problems?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD shall give them up before your face (וּנְתָנָם יְהוָה לִפְנֵיכֶם unetanam YHWH lifneikhem)—natan (give, deliver) emphasizes divine agency in victory. God delivers the Canaanites into Israel's hand; they don't conquer through superior military might. That ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you—Israel's military action must conform to Torah stipulations regarding warfare (Deuteronomy 7:1-5, 20:10-18).
This verse balances divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God gives the victory (sovereignty), but Israel must act in obedience (responsibility). They cannot claim God fights for them while disobeying His commands. The Canaanite conquest was holy war with strict ethical boundaries: spare fruit trees (20:19-20), offer terms of peace to distant cities (20:10-15), execute herem (devotion to destruction) only on Canaanite nations within the land (20:16-18). This wasn't license for brutality but disciplined execution of divine judgment.