Deuteronomy 9:3
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
But understand that today the LORD your God goes across ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will destroy them and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them swiftly, as the LORD has promised you.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Therefore understand today that the LORD your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the LORD has said to you.

New American Standard Bible
So be aware today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over ahead of you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and eliminate them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.

NASB 1995
“Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.

NASB 1977
“Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.

Legacy Standard Bible
So you shall know today that it is Yahweh your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them, and He will subdue them before you, so that you may dispossess them and make them perish quickly, just as Yahweh has spoken to you.

Amplified Bible
So know today [with confident assurance] that the LORD your God is crossing [the Jordan] before you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, and you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has promised you.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD your God has promised to go ahead of you, like a raging fire burning everything in its path. So when you attack your enemies, it will be easy for you to destroy them and take their land.

English Revised Version
Know therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee as a devouring fire; he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thee: so shalt thou drive them out, and make them to perish quickly, as the LORD hath spoken unto thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
But now you will see for yourselves that the LORD your God will go ahead of you like a raging fire. He will defeat them as you advance, so that you will drive them out and destroy them quickly, as he promised.

International Standard Version
But know today that the LORD your God is going ahead of you as a consuming fire. He will destroy and subdue them before you. He will dispossess and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD told you.

Majority Standard Bible
But understand that today the LORD your God goes across ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will destroy them and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them swiftly, as the LORD has promised you.

NET Bible
Understand today that the LORD your God who goes before you is a devouring fire; he will defeat and subdue them before you. You will dispossess and destroy them quickly just as he has told you.

New Heart English Bible
Know therefore this day, that the LORD your God is he who goes over before you as a devouring fire; he will destroy them, and he will bring them down before you: so you shall drive them out, and make them to perish quickly, as the LORD has spoken to you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he who 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 to thee.

World English Bible
Know therefore today that Yahweh your God is he who goes over before you as a devouring fire. He will destroy them and he will bring them down before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as Yahweh has spoken to you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have known today that your God YHWH [is] He who is passing over before you [as] a consuming fire; He destroys them, and He humbles them before you, and you have dispossessed them, and destroyed them quickly, as YHWH has spoken to you.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast known to-day, that Jehovah thy God is He who is passing over before thee -- a fire consuming; He doth destroy them, and He doth humble them before thee, and thou hast dispossessed them, and destroyed them hastily, as Jehovah hath spoken to thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
And know thou this day that Jehovah thy God he is passing over before thee; he is a consuming fire, he will destroy them, and he will humble them before thy face, and drive them out and destroy them quickly, as Jehovah spake to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt know therefore this day that the Lord thy God himself will pass over before thee, a devouring and consuming fire, to destroy and extirpate and bring them to nothing before thy face quickly, as he hath spoken to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, you shall know today that the Lord your God himself will pass over before you, like a devouring and consuming fire, to crush and to wipe away and to utterly ruin them before your face, quickly, just as he has spoken to you.

New American Bible
Know, then, today that it is the LORD, your God, who will cross over before you as a consuming fire; he it is who will destroy them and subdue them before you, so that you can dispossess and remove them quickly, as the LORD promised you.

New Revised Standard Version
Know then today that the LORD your God is the one who crosses over before you as a devouring fire; he will defeat them and subdue them before you, so that you may dispossess and destroy them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And that you may know therefore this day that the LORD your God is he who will go over before you; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall defeat them before you; so that you shall rout them, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD has said to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And that you will know today that LORD JEHOVAH your God crosses before you; He is consuming fire and he shall destroy them and he will cut them off from before you, and you shall put them to the sword and you shall destroy them quickly, as LORD JEHOVAH said to you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Know therefore this day, that the LORD 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 the LORD hath spoken unto thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt know to-day, that the Lord thy God he shall go before thy face: he is a consuming fire; he shall destroy them, and he shall turn them back before thee, and shall destroy them quickly, as the Lord said to thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Assurance of Victory
2The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them, and you have heard it said, “Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?” 3But understand that today the LORD your God goes across ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will destroy them and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them swiftly, as the LORD has promised you. 4When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness.…

Cross References
Joshua 3:10
He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.

Exodus 23:23
For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.

Exodus 33:2
And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Joshua 23:5
The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

Numbers 33:52
you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

Isaiah 30:27-28
Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. / His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

Isaiah 31:9
Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

Hebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire.”

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

Jeremiah 5:14
Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Revelation 19:11-15
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Psalm 97:3
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

Isaiah 66:15-16
For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.

Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”


Treasury of Scripture

Understand therefore this day, that the LORD your God is he which goes over before you; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before your face: so shall you drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD has said to you.

Understand

Deuteronomy 9:6
Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

Matthew 15:10
And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Mark 7:14
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

goeth over

Deuteronomy 1:30
The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Deuteronomy 31:3-6
The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said…

a consuming fire

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Isaiah 27:4
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Isaiah 30:27,30,33
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: …

he shall

Deuteronomy 7:1,2,16,23,24
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; …

Exodus 23:29-31
I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee…

Isaiah 41:10-16
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness…

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Deuteronomy 9
1. Moses dissuades them from the opinion of their own righteousness
7. Moses reminds them of the golden calf














But understand that today
This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the message. The Hebrew word for "understand" is "yada," which implies a deep, experiential knowledge. It is not merely intellectual but involves a heart-level comprehension. The word "today" signifies the present moment, urging the Israelites to recognize the current action of God in their lives. This is a call to be aware of God's active presence and to respond with faith and obedience.

the LORD your God
The name "LORD" in Hebrew is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal, self-existent nature. "Your God" personalizes this relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique covenant with Yahweh. This phrase underscores the personal and communal relationship between God and His people, highlighting His faithfulness and sovereignty.

goes across ahead of you
This phrase indicates God's leadership and guidance. The Hebrew root "abar" means to pass over or through, suggesting that God is not only leading but also preparing the way. This reflects the historical context of the Israelites entering the Promised Land, where God is actively involved in their journey, ensuring their success and safety.

as a consuming fire
The imagery of "consuming fire" is powerful, symbolizing God's holiness, judgment, and purifying presence. In Hebrew, "esh" (fire) often represents divine presence and power. This metaphor conveys the idea that God will completely destroy the enemies of Israel, just as fire consumes everything in its path. It serves as a reminder of God's might and the seriousness of His judgment against sin.

He will destroy them and subdue them before you
The verbs "destroy" and "subdue" highlight God's active role in the conquest. "Destroy" (Hebrew "shamad") implies total annihilation, while "subdue" (Hebrew "kana") suggests bringing under control or subjugation. This reflects the historical reality of the conquest of Canaan, where God promised to defeat the enemies of Israel, ensuring their victory and settlement in the land.

And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly
This phrase emphasizes the Israelites' role in God's plan. "Drive out" (Hebrew "yarash") means to dispossess or expel, while "annihilate" (Hebrew "abad") suggests complete destruction. The adverb "quickly" indicates the swiftness and decisiveness of the action. This reflects the divine-human partnership in the conquest, where God empowers His people to fulfill His promises.

as the LORD has promised you
This concluding phrase reaffirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Hebrew word "dabar" (promise) signifies a spoken word or declaration, emphasizing the reliability and trustworthiness of God's word. This assurance is rooted in the historical promises made to the patriarchs, reminding the Israelites of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His word.

(3) Understand therefore.--Literally, the connection seems to be this: "The children of Anakim thou knowest--thou knowest also (the same word) to-day, that it is Jehovah thy God Himself that passeth over before thee, a consuming fire. He will destroy them, and He will make them to bow down before thee. And thou shalt make a conquest of them, and speedily annihilate them, according as Jehovah hath commanded thee."

Verse 3. - Understand therefore this day; rather, And thou knowest today or now. The expression corresponds to ver. 1, "Thou art to pass... and thou knowest." In the victory they had obtained over Sihon and Og, they had already had experience of the Lord's going before them, and leading them on in triumph. The repetition of the He in this verse is very emphatic. Consuming fire (cf. Deuteronomy 4:24). Quickly, or suddenly. There is no contradiction here of what is said in Deuteronomy 7:22; for there the reference is to the possession of the land by Israel, here it is to the destruction which was to come on the Canaanites - the former was to be by degrees, the latter was to come suddenly and overwhelmingly. As Jehovah hath said unto thee (cf. Exodus 23:23, 27, etc.; Deuteronomy 2:24, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But understand
וְיָדַעְתָּ֣ (wə·yā·ḏa‘·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

today
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the LORD
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

goes across
הָעֹבֵ֤ר (hā·‘ō·ḇêr)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

ahead of you
לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

as a consuming
אֹֽכְלָ֔ה (’ō·ḵə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

fire;
אֵ֣שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

He
הֽוּא־ (hū-)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will destroy them
יַשְׁמִידֵ֛ם (yaš·mî·ḏêm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

and subdue them
יַכְנִיעֵ֖ם (yaḵ·nî·‘êm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3665: To bend the knee, to humiliate, vanquish

before you.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

And you will drive them out
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤ם (wə·hō·w·raš·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

and annihilate them
וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙‪‬ (wə·ha·’a·ḇaḏ·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

swiftly,
מַהֵ֔ר (ma·hêr)
Adverb
Strong's 4118: Hastening, speedy, swift

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has told you.
דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 9:3 Know therefore this day that Yahweh your (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 9:2
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