Deuteronomy 9:4
Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
בִּלְבָֽבְךָ֗
not thou in thine heart
H3824
בִּלְבָֽבְךָ֗
not thou in thine heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
3 of 22
the heart (as the most interior organ)
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 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
אֹתָ֥ם׀
H853
אֹתָ֥ם׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
from before
H6440
מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
from 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
בְּצִדְקָתִי֙
For my righteousness
H6666
בְּצִדְקָתִי֙
For my righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
10 of 22
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
הֱבִיאַ֣נִי
hath brought me in
H935
הֱבִיאַ֣נִי
hath brought me in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙
doth drive them out
H3423
וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙
doth drive them out
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
13 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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙
doth drive them out
H3423
וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙
doth drive them out
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
17 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
הַגּוֹיִ֣ם
of these nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֣ם
of these nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
18 of 22
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
after that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.Deuteronomy 9:5Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?2 Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,Genesis 15:16But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.Deuteronomy 12:31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Historical Context
Canaanite religion involved practices God condemned: child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21), cultic prostitution, and idolatry. Archaeological evidence confirms these practices, particularly child sacrifice at sites like Carthage (a Phoenician colony). God's judgment on Canaan was righteous response to accumulated evil (Genesis 15:16 mentions Amorite iniquity reaching fullness). This doesn't exonerate Israel—they too deserved judgment, making God's choice of them pure grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How are you tempted to view God's blessings as earned rather than gracious gifts?
- What does God's judgment on Canaanite wickedness teach about His holiness and justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses warns against self-righteousness: 'Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land.' The temptation to attribute blessing to personal merit is addressed preemptively. Moses insists the conquest occurs 'because of the wickedness of these nations'—God's judgment on Canaanite sin, not Israel's righteousness. This establishes a crucial principle: grace, not merit, drives redemption. Israel's later history proves their unworthiness, yet God remains faithful to covenant promises.