Deuteronomy 9:1
Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמַ֣ע
Hear
H8085
שְׁמַ֣ע
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עֹבֵ֤ר
Thou art to pass over
H5674
עֹבֵ֤ר
Thou art to pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 17
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָרֶ֣שֶׁת
to possess
H3423
לָרֶ֣שֶׁת
to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
9 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
גּוֹיִ֔ם
nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
10 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וַֽעֲצֻמִ֖ים
and mightier
H6099
וַֽעֲצֻמִ֖ים
and mightier
Strong's:
H6099
Word #:
12 of 17
powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
מִמֶּ֑ךָּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֑ךָּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עָרִ֛ים
than thyself cities
H5892
עָרִ֛ים
than thyself cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:31For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.Deuteronomy 4:38To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 1:28Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.Deuteronomy 3:18And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war.Deuteronomy 11:23Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.Deuteronomy 7:1When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;Joshua 1:11Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
Historical Context
Spoken on the plains of Moab just before Jordan crossing (circa 1406 BC traditional dating), this address prepared Israel psychologically and spiritually for conquest. The Canaanite city-states possessed superior military technology (iron chariots, fortified cities) and established armies. From human calculation, conquest was impossible—Israel had no siege equipment, limited iron weaponry, and were recently-liberated slaves. Archaeological evidence confirms the formidable nature of Canaanite defenses (Jericho's walls, Hazor's fortifications). God deliberately set impossible odds to demonstrate that victory was His gift, not their achievement.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'impossible' challenges are you facing that require acknowledging dependence on God's power rather than your own ability?
- How does pride in past successes tempt you to approach current challenges in your own strength?
- In what ways does recognizing that spiritual victory is God's gift rather than human achievement transform your approach to Christian living?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The call 'Hear, O Israel' (Shema Yisrael) demands attention to crucial truth. 'Thou art to pass over Jordan this day' emphasizes immediacy and certainty. The nations are 'greater and mightier than thyself,' with fortified cities 'walled up to heaven' (hyperbolic language emphasizing impossibility from human perspective). This sets up the chapter's theme: victory comes from God's power, not Israel's worthiness or strength. The conquest isn't reward for righteousness but execution of God's judgment on Canaanite wickedness (v. 4-5). This humble perspective prevents pride and acknowledges grace—a principle continuing in the New Testament where salvation is 'not of works, lest any man should boast' (Ephesians 2:9).