Deuteronomy 6:19

What does Deuteronomy 6:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Deuteronomy 6:19 means

As a direct result of their obedience and doing what is right in God's eyes, Jehovah promises to thrust out all their enemies from before them. This promise of divine assistance in conquest directly fulfills God's previous declarations. It assures Israel that their success in settling the land and overcoming its inhabitants will not be by their own strength alone, but by the mighty hand of God, provided they remain faithful to His covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

to thrust out all thine enemies from before thee, as Jehovah hath spoken.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

to thrust out all thine enemies from before thee, as Jehovah hath spoken.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To send out from before you all those who are against you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to drive away all thine enemies from thy presence, as Jehovah hath spoken.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That he would destroy all thy enemies before thee, as he hath spoken.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

thrusting out all thine enemies from before thee, as Jehovah hath spoken.

Context

This verse elaborates on the promise made in verse 18 regarding the possession of the good land. It specifies *how* they will possess it—through God's active role in dispossessing their enemies. This promise of divine intervention against foes provides a powerful motive for obedience. It also serves as a transition, leading into the explanation of *why* these commands must be taught to future generations, starting in verse 20.

v.18And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of Jehovah; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers,

v.19This passage

v.20When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 3:1

    Now these are the nations which Jehovah left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

  • Exodus 23:28

    And I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

  • Numbers 33:52

    then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places:

  • Judges 2:1

    And the angel of Jehovah came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you:

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