Introduction to Deuteronomy 7:1
Deuteronomy 7:1 is part of Moses’ address to Israel, outlining YHWH’s role in their conquest of the Promised Land. This verse introduces a covenantal promise, stating that God will bring Israel into the land and drive out seven nations greater and mightier than them.
This passage consists of two primary clauses:
- Divine agency in bringing Israel into the land (כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ, “When YHWH your God brings you into the land”).
- Divine action in dispossessing the nations (וְנָשַׁ֣ל גֹּֽויִם־רַבִּ֣ים מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ, “and He will drive out many nations before you”).
This study will analyze the grammatical structure of divine causation, the syntax of conquest, and the theological implications of Israel’s reliance on YHWH.
כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גֹּֽויִם־רַבִּ֣ים מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גֹויִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
- כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (ki yevia’akha YHWH Elohekha)
- Root: בּוֹא (“to bring, lead in”)
- Form: Hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular + 2nd masculine singular suffix
- Translation: “When YHWH your God brings you”
- Function: Expresses divine causation—God actively bringing Israel into the land.
- אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ (el-ha’aretz asher atah ba-shammah lirishtah)
- Root: יָרַשׁ (“to possess, inherit”)
- Form: Qal infinitive construct + prepositional prefix לְ
- Translation: “Into the land which you are coming to possess”
- Function: Clarifies the purpose of Israel’s arrival—to take possession of the land.
- וְנָשַׁ֣ל גֹּֽויִם־רַבִּ֣ים מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ (venashal goyim rabbim mifanekha)
- Root: נָשַׁל (“to drive out, remove”)
- Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
- Translation: “And He will drive out many nations before you”
- Function: Describes divine action of clearing the land, ensuring Israel’s victory.
- הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י… (hatti veha-girgashi veha-emori…)
- Function: Lists seven nations marked for removal, reinforcing the completeness of divine judgment.
- רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ (rabbim va’atzumim mimmecha)
- Root: רַב (“many, great”), עָצוּם (“strong, mighty”)
- Translation: “Greater and mightier than you”
- Function: Highlights Israel’s weakness in contrast to divine power.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Use of כִּ֤י (“When”) to Introduce a Conditional Event
כִּי (“when”) → Introduces a certainty, not a mere possibility.
YHWH’s action is assumed, showing divine faithfulness to His promise.
The Hifil Verb יְבִֽיאֲךָ (“He Will Bring You”) as Divine Causation
Hifil stem → Indicates YHWH as the active agent, leading Israel into the land.
Future-oriented verb → Reinforces the promise of fulfillment.
The Qal Perfect נָשַׁ֣ל (“He Will Drive Out”) with Vav-Consecutive
Perfect aspect + vav-consecutive → Marks a future action, signifying divine intervention.
Emphasizes that victory is not by Israel’s might, but by divine decree.
Theological Implications of Divine Conquest
- Divine Sovereignty Over Nations
YHWH, not Israel, is the one who determines which nations remain and which are removed.
- The Gift of the Land
The land is not seized by human conquest but given by divine promise.
- Human Weakness and Divine Strength
The nations are “greater and mightier” than Israel, showing that victory depends on God, not human ability.
The Role of Divine Action in Israel’s Possession of the Land
Deuteronomy 7:1 demonstrates a structured formula of divine action, where God leads Israel, removes opposition, and grants possession of the land. The Hifil verb יְבִֽיאֲךָ highlights divine guidance, while נָשַׁ֣ל signifies active removal of obstacles.
Thus, this verse serves as both a statement of divine faithfulness and a reminder that Israel’s success is entirely dependent on YHWH.
