Deuteronomy 9:3

3 But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.

Deuteronomy 9:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 But recognize today that the LORD your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised.
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 Today know this: God, your God, is crossing the river ahead of you - he's a consuming fire. He will destroy the nations, he will put them under your power. You will dispossess them and very quickly wipe them out, just as God promised you would.
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 Know therefore this day, that Jehovah thy God is he who goeth over before thee as a devouring fire; he will destroy them, and he will bring them down before thee: so shalt thou drive them out, and make them to perish quickly, as Jehovah hath spoken unto thee.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 Realize today that the LORD your God is the one who is going ahead of you like a raging fire. He will wipe them out and will use you to crush their power. You will take possession of their land and will quickly destroy them as the LORD promised you.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 But understand that today the Lord your God will cross over ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will devastate and subdue them before you. You will drive them out and destroy them swiftly, as the Lord has told you.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 But today you can be sure the LORD your God will go over there ahead of you. He is like a fire that will burn them up. He'll destroy them. He'll bring them under your control. You will drive them out. You will put an end to them quickly, just as the LORD has promised you.

Deuteronomy 9:3 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:3

Understand therefore this day
Or be it known to you for your encouragement, and believe it:

that the Lord thy God [is] he which goeth over before thee as a
consuming fire:
did not only go before them over the river Jordan, in a pillar of cloud and fire, to guide and direct them, and was a wall of fire around them to protect and defend them, but as a consuming fire, before which there is no standing, to destroy their enemies; see ( Deuteronomy 4:24 ) ( Hebrews 12:29 ) ,

he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face;
be they as great and as mighty, as large and as tall as they may, they will not be able to stand before the Lord, but will soon be made low, and be easily brought down to the earth by him, and to utter destruction; which would be done in a public and visible manner, so as that the hand of the Lord would be seen in it by the Israelites:

so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord
hath said unto thee;
that is, the far greater part of them, and so many as to make room for the Israelites, and which was quickly done. The Jews commonly say F1, that they were seven years in subduing the land; otherwise they were not to be driven out and destroyed at once, but by little and little: see ( Deuteronomy 7:22 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 11. p. 31, 32.

Deuteronomy 9:3 In-Context

1 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky.
2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?”
3 But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you.
5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Deuteronomy 31:3; Joshua 3:11
  • 2. S Exodus 15:7; S Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29
  • 3. S Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 7:23-24
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