Exodus 34:11
Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמָ֨ר
Observe
H8104
שְׁמָ֨ר
Observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְצַוְּךָ֣
thou that which I command
H6680
מְצַוְּךָ֣
thou that which I command
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
6 of 17
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 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
גֹרֵ֣שׁ
behold I drive out
H1644
גֹרֵ֣שׁ
behold I drive out
Strong's:
H1644
Word #:
9 of 17
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
מִפָּנֶ֗יךָ
before
H6440
מִפָּנֶ֗יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
thee the Amorite
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
thee the Amorite
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
12 of 17
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י
and the Canaanite
H3669
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י
and the Canaanite
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
13 of 17
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzite
H6522
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzite
Strong's:
H6522
Word #:
15 of 17
a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes
Cross References
Exodus 33:2And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:Exodus 3:17And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Deuteronomy 6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Historical Context
These six nations inhabited Canaan and practiced religious rituals including child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and divination—practices God had forbidden Israel (Lev 18:21-30, Deut 18:9-14).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance trusting God to fight your battles while maintaining personal vigilance?
- What 'covenants' or compromises does God warn you to avoid in your context?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The covenant begins with 'Observe thou' (שְׁמָר־לְךָ, shomar-lekha)—a command to careful, vigilant obedience. God promises to drive out six nations before Israel (Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites). This divine warfare is not ethnic cleansing but judgment on nations whose iniquity has 'come to the full' (Gen 15:16). God fights for His people, but they must not compromise with idolatry.