Deuteronomy 9:1

Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

IX.

EXHORTATION TO REMEMBER THE SINS OF THE EXODUS.

(1) Hear, O Israel.—A fresh portion of the exhortation begins here. The cause of Israel’s conquest of Canaan is not to be sought in their own merit, but in the choice of Jehovah.

Thou art to pass.—Literally, thou art passing: i.e., just about to pass.

Nations greater and mightier than thyself.—If this is true (and there is no reason to doubt it), the responsibility of the conquest does not rest with Israel; they were the Divine executioners. (See Note on Joshua 5:13-14.)

Cities . . . fenced up to heaven.—Comp. the expression in Genesis 11:4, “a city and a tower whose top may reach unto (literally, is in) heaven.” So here, “cities great and fortified in the heavens.” Was St. Paul thinking of this expression when he said, “We wrestle against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly regions?” (Ephesians 6:12).

Benson Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:1-2. This seems to be a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time from the former, probably on the next sabbath day. This day — That is, shortly, within a little time, the word day being often put for time. To possess nations — That is, the land of those nations. Mightier than thyself — This he adds that they might not trust to their own strength, but wholly rely upon God’s help for the conquering them, and after the work was done, might ascribe the glory of it to God alone, and not to themselves. Who can stand — This seems to have been a proverb used in those times.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:1-6 Moses represents the strength of the enemies they were now to encounter. This was to drive them to God, and engage their hope in him. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God with them. He cautions them not to have the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that procured this favour at God's hand. In Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in Him we must glory, not in ourselves, nor in any sufficiency of our own. It is for the wickedness of these nations that God drives them out. All whom God rejects, are rejected for their own wickedness; but none whom he accepts are accepted for their own righteousness. Thus boasting is for ever done away: see Eph 2:9,11,12.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The lesson of this chapter is exactly that of Ephesians 2:8, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

In referring to their various rebellions, Moses here, as elsewhere, has regard not so much for the order of time as to that of subject. (Compare Deuteronomy 1:9-15 note.) Such reasons as convenience and fitness to his argument sufficiently explain the variations observable when the statements of this chapter are minutely compared with those of Exodus 32-34. In these variations we have simply such treatment of facts as is usual and warrantable between parties personally acquainted with the matters.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 9

De 9:1-25. Moses Dissuades Them from the Opinion of Their Own Righteousness.

1. this day—means this time. The Israelites had reached the confines of the promised land, but were obliged, to their great mortification, to return. But now they certainly were to enter it. No obstacle could prevent their possession; neither the fortified defenses of the towns, nor the resistance of the gigantic inhabitants of whom they had received from the spies so formidable a description.

cities great and fenced up to heaven—Oriental cities generally cover a much greater space than those in Europe; for the houses often stand apart with gardens and fields intervening. They are almost all surrounded with walls built of burnt or sun-dried bricks, about forty feet in height. All classes in the East, but especially the nomad tribes, in their ignorance of engineering and artillery, would have abandoned in despair the idea of an assault on a walled town, which to-day would be demolished in a few hours.Israel’s march over Jordan to possess Canaan, Deu 9:1-3. But must not ascribe it to their own righteousness, Deu 9:4-6. A rehearsal of their manifold provocations at Horeb, Deu 9:8, at Taberah, Deu 9:22, and at Kadesh-barnea, Deu 9:23.

This day, i.e. shortly, within a little time, the word day being oft put for time, as John 8:56 1 Corinthians 4:5 Revelation 16:14, within two months; for Moses spake this on the first day of the eleventh month, Deu 1:3, and they passed over Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, Joshua 4:19. Nations, i.e. the land of those nations; for that only they were to possess, but as for the nations or people they were not to possess, but to destroy them. Thus they are said to inherit Gad, Jeremiah 49:1, i.e. the country and cities of Gad, as it is there explained.

Greater and mightier than thyself: this he adds, partly that they might not be surprised when they find them to be such; partly that they might not trust to their own strength, but wholly rely upon God’s help, for the destroying of them, and, after the work was done, might ascribe the praise and glory of it to God alone, and not to themselves.

Fenced up to heaven, as the spies reported, Deu 1:28. See on Genesis 11:4.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Hear, O Israel,.... A pause being made after the delivery of the preceding discourse; or perhaps what follows might be delivered at another time, at some little distance; and which being of moment and importance to the glory of God, and that Israel might have a true notion of their duty, they are called upon to listen with attention to what was now about to be said:

thou art to pass over Jordan this day; not precisely that very day, but in a short time after this; for it was on the first day of the eleventh month that Moses began the repetition of the laws he was now going on with, Deuteronomy 1:3, and it was not until the tenth day of the first month of the next year that the people passed over Jordan, Joshua 4:19 which was about two months after this:

to go in and possess nations greater and mightier than thyself; the seven nations named Deuteronomy 7:1 where the same characters are given of them:

cities great and fenced up to heaven; as they were said to be by the spies, Deuteronomy 1:28, and were no doubt both large and strongly fortified, and not to be easily taken by the Israelites, had not the Lord been with them, Deuteronomy 9:3.

Geneva Study Bible

Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan {a} this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

(a) Meaning shortly.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1. Hear, O Israel] Deuteronomy 6:4.

thou art to pass over Jordan this day] Similarly Deuteronomy 30:18 (and cp. Deuteronomy 2:18), Sg.; Deuteronomy 4:14; Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 11:31; Deuteronomy 31:13, Pl., but apparently editorial.

to possess] or dispossess. Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 2:21 f., Deuteronomy 11:23, Deuteronomy 12:2; Deuteronomy 12:29, Deuteronomy 18:14, Deuteronomy 19:1, Deuteronomy 31:3, with personal object as here. For another form of same vb. see on Deuteronomy 4:38.

nations greater and mightier than thyself] So Deuteronomy 4:38 also Sg.; Deuteronomy 11:23, Pl.: cp. Joshua 23:9.

cities … fenced, etc.] See on Deuteronomy 1:28.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - This day; at this time, very soon. Nations, etc. (cf. Deuteronomy 7:1). Cities (cf. Deuteronomy 1:28). Deuteronomy 9:1

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Warning against a conceit of righteousness, with the occasion for the warning. As the Israelites were now about to cross over the Jordan ("this day," to indicate that the time was close at hand), to take possession of nations that were superior to them in size and strength (the tribes of Canaan mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1), and great fortified cities reaching to the heavens (cf. Deuteronomy 1:28), namely, the great and tall nation of the Enakites (Deuteronomy 1:28), before which, as was well known, no one could stand (התיצּב, as in Deuteronomy 7:24); and as they also knew that Jehovah their God was going before them to destroy and humble these nations, they were not to say in their heart, when this was done, For my righteousness Jehovah hath brought me in to possess this land. In Deuteronomy 9:3, היּום וידעתּ is not to be taken in an imperative sense, but as expressive of the actual fact, and corresponding to Deuteronomy 9:1, "thou art to pass." Israel now knew for certain - namely, by the fact, which spoke so powerfully, of its having been successful against foes which it could never have conquered by itself, especially against Sihon and Og - that the Lord was going before it, as the leader and captain of His people (Schultz: see Deuteronomy 1:30). The threefold repetition of הוּא in Deuteronomy 9:3 is peculiarly emphatic. "A consuming fire:" as in Deuteronomy 4:24. ישׁמידם הוּא is more particularly defined by וגו יכניעם והוּא, which follows: not, however, as implying that השׁמיד does not signify complete destruction in this passage, but rather as explaining how the destruction would take place. Jehovah would destroy the Canaanites, by bring them down, humbling them before Israel, so that they would be able to drive them out and destroy them quickly "מהר, quickly, is no more opposed to Deuteronomy 7:22, 'thou mayest not destroy them quickly,' than God's not delaying to requite (Deuteronomy 7:10) is opposed to His long-suffering" (Schultz). So far as the almighty assistance of God was concerned, the Israelites would quickly overthrow the Canaanites; but for the sake of the well-being of Israel, the destruction would only take place by degrees. "As Jehovah hath said unto thee:" viz., Exodus 23:23, Exodus 23:27., and at the beginning of the conflict, Deuteronomy 2:24.