Deuteronomy 9:3

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֣ Understand H3045
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֣ Understand
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 1 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַיּ֗וֹם therefore this day H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם therefore this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 22
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
כִּי֩ H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 22
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
הֽוּא H1931
הֽוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 6 of 22
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
הָעֹבֵ֤ר is he which goeth over H5674
הָעֹבֵ֤ר is he which goeth over
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 7 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ before H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 8 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֵ֣שׁ fire H784
אֵ֣שׁ fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 9 of 22
fire (literally or figuratively)
אֹֽכְלָ֔ה thee as a consuming H398
אֹֽכְלָ֔ה thee as a consuming
Strong's: H398
Word #: 10 of 22
to eat (literally or figuratively)
ה֧וּא H1931
ה֧וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 11 of 22
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
יַשְׁמִידֵ֛ם he shall destroy H8045
יַשְׁמִידֵ֛ם he shall destroy
Strong's: H8045
Word #: 12 of 22
to desolate
וְה֥וּא H1931
וְה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 22
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
יַכְנִיעֵ֖ם them and he shall bring them down H3665
יַכְנִיעֵ֖ם them and he shall bring them down
Strong's: H3665
Word #: 14 of 22
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ before H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 15 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤ם so shalt thou drive them out H3423
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤ם so shalt thou drive them out
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 16 of 22
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
וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙ and destroy H6
וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙ and destroy
Strong's: H6
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מַהֵ֔ר them quickly H4118
מַהֵ֔ר them quickly
Strong's: H4118
Word #: 18 of 22
properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 19 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֥ר hath said H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר hath said
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 20 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 21 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָֽךְ׃ H0
לָֽךְ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 22 of 22

Analysis & Commentary

The command 'Understand therefore this day' requires mental grasp of theological truth before physical action. The LORD 'goeth over before thee' as 'consuming fire'—imagery combining God's presence (pillar of fire, Exodus 13:21) and judgment (Sodom/Gomorrah, Genesis 19:24). As fire consumes fuel, God will consume Israel's enemies. The promise 'he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face' assures victory. God initiates (goes before), accomplishes (destroys), and enables ('so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly'). Human action follows divine initiative. This pattern pervades Scripture: God saves, then commands; delivers, then directs. Salvation produces obedience, not vice versa.

Historical Context

God's going before Israel was manifested literally (ark of covenant, Joshua 3:11-13) and militarily (throwing enemies into confusion, Joshua 10:10). The 'consuming fire' metaphor was realized in supernatural interventions: Jericho's walls falling, hailstones killing enemies, sun standing still. Archaeological destruction layers at Canaanite sites (Hazor, Lachish) from this period suggest violent, swift conquest consistent with 'destroying quickly.' However, Israel's incomplete obedience (failing to drive out all inhabitants, Judges 1-2) led to prolonged conflict, showing that God's power requires human cooperation.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources