Deuteronomy 7:17
Deuteronomy 7:17 in Multiple Translations
You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?”
If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
If you say in your hearts, These nations are greater in number than we are: how are we to take their land from them?
You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than us. How on earth can we drive them out?”
If thou say in thine heart, These nations are moe then I, how can I cast them out?
'When thou sayest in thine heart, These nations [are] more numerous than I, how am I able to dispossess them? —
If you shall say in your heart, “These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?”
If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I, how can I dispossess them?
If thou say in thy heart: These nations are more than I, how shall I be able to destroy them?
“Do not think to yourselves, ‘These people-groups are more numerous/powerful than we are, so we certainly cannot [RHQ] expel them.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 7:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 7:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
תֹאמַר֙
בִּ/לְבָ֣בְ/ךָ֔
רַבִּ֛ים
הַ/גּוֹיִ֥ם
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
אֵיכָ֥ה
אוּכַ֖ל
לְ/הוֹרִישָֽׁ/ם
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תֹאמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בִּ/לְבָ֣בְ/ךָ֔
lêbâb
H3824
heart
Prep | N-ms | Suff
רַבִּ֛ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
הַ/גּוֹיִ֥ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
Art | N-mp
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Art | Pron
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
אֵיכָ֥ה
ʼêyk
H349
how?
Part
אוּכַ֖ל
yâkôl
H3201
be able
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
לְ/הוֹרִישָֽׁ/ם
yârash
H3423
to possess
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 7:17
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תֹאמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בִּ/לְבָ֣בְ/ךָ֔
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
רַבִּ֛ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
הַ/גּוֹיִ֥ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
אֵיכָ֥ה
ʼêyk
H349
"how?"
Part
In the Bible, this word means 'how' or 'where', like in Genesis when God asks Adam 'where are you'. It's also used to express surprise or excitement.
Definition: interrog adv how?
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: how, what. See also: Genesis 26:9; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Psalms 11:1.
אוּכַ֖ל
yâkôl
H3201
"be able"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.
לְ/הוֹרִישָֽׁ/ם
yârash
H3423
"to possess"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 7:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Promises of God
15And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you.
16You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.
17You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?”
18But do not be afraid of them. Be sure to remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt: 19the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 13:32 | So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. |
| 2 | Numbers 33:53 | You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 18:21 | You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” |
| 4 | Isaiah 47:8 | So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ |
| 5 | Luke 9:47 | But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 8:17 | You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 14:13 | You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. |
| 8 | Isaiah 49:21 | Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” |
| 9 | Joshua 17:16–18 | “The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.” So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment, because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.” |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 15:9 | Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. |
Deuteronomy 7:17 Summary
This verse is about the Israelites' fear of the nations they are supposed to drive out, and how God tells them not to be afraid because He will be with them. It's like when we feel overwhelmed by a big task or problem, and we wonder how we'll ever be able to handle it. But God is saying, 'Don't worry, I've got this, just trust in Me' (as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 23:4). He reminds them of all the amazing things He's done in the past, like what He did to Pharaoh and Egypt, and promises to do the same for them in the future. This verse is encouraging us to trust in God's power and promises, rather than our own strength or abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nature of the fear expressed in Deuteronomy 7:17?
The fear expressed in this verse is a natural human reaction to the overwhelming task of driving out the nations that the Israelites are about to encounter, as seen in their concern that 'these nations are greater than we are' (Deuteronomy 7:17), but it is a fear that God commands them not to have, as stated in Deuteronomy 7:18.
How does God address the Israelites' fear of the nations they are to drive out?
God addresses their fear by reminding them of His past actions, such as what He did to Pharaoh and all Egypt (Deuteronomy 7:18), and promising to do the same to all the peoples they now fear (Deuteronomy 7:19), which is reminiscent of His promise to be with them in Joshua 1:9.
What is the significance of the phrase 'you may say in your heart' in Deuteronomy 7:17?
The phrase 'you may say in your heart' suggests that the Israelites may have inner doubts or concerns about their ability to drive out the nations, but God is aware of these thoughts and is speaking directly to them to alleviate their fears, much like He does in Isaiah 55:8-9 where He says His thoughts are not our thoughts.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of trust in God?
This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power and promises, rather than relying on human strength or abilities, as seen in the contrast between the Israelites' fear and God's command not to fear (Deuteronomy 7:17-18), which is a theme that is repeated throughout the Bible, such as in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am struggling to trust in God's power and promises, and how can I apply the lessons of Deuteronomy 7:17 to those situations?
- How do I typically respond to feelings of fear or inadequacy, and what can I learn from the Israelites' experience in Deuteronomy 7:17-19?
- What are some ways that I can 'remember what the LORD my God did' in my own life, and how can I use those memories to strengthen my faith and trust in Him?
- In what ways do I need to be reminded of God's presence and power in my life, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of trust and reliance on Him?
- How can I apply the principle of Deuteronomy 7:17-19 to my own struggles with fear and doubt, and what role can Scripture play in helping me to overcome those struggles?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 7:17
If thou shall say in thine heart,.... Should have secret thoughts arise in the heart, misgivings of heart, fears and doubts there, which, though not outwardly expressed, might be inwardly retained:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 7:17
If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 7:17
17. say in thine heart] say to thyself, or think, or imagine; but with the force of really think, Deuteronomy 9:4, Deuteronomy 18:21.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:17
17. How can I dispossess them — The people might again become faint-hearted as they had been years before on the return of the spies. They might ask, How is it possible for us to overcome the seven nations of the land?
Sermons on Deuteronomy 7:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Are You Overwhelmed by Fear? by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that when fear overwhelms us, we must focus on the greatness of God and recall His past deliverances. He illustrates this through Nehemiah, who encourage |
|
Renew Your Pledge to Kill Every Last Giant of Sin by Sandeep Poonen | This sermon delves into the story of the Israelites in Numbers 13 and 14, highlighting their choice between facing the giants in the promised land or returning to slavery in Egypt. |
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The Fear of God - Part 4 by Jerry Bridges | In this sermon, the speaker begins with a far-fetched illustration of a Christian leader who contemplates going to a topless dancer performance to "experience all of life." However |
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Ravi-Pride by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the changing nature of ministry and the mindset of today's ministers. He contrasts the dedication and sacrifice of historical figures like H |
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Satan Is Alive and Well by Hal Lindsey | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the existence of a powerful and real spiritual being behind the conflicts and suffering in the world. He emphasizes the importance of understa |
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Gods Order in Christ - Part 9 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and abiding in the word of God. They highlight the battle between life and death and the need for spiritual tog |
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Abraham, My Friend: 05 Looking Forward to the City by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker explores the life of Abraham and his journey towards becoming a praying man and a friend of God. The importance of the first step in any venture is emph |