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Deuteronomy 7:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 7:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
Deuteronomy 7:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Thou shalt be blessed above all peoples: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
15And Jehovah will take away from thee all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, will he put upon thee, but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
16And thou shalt consume all the peoples that Jehovah thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
17If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
18thou shalt not be afraid of them: thou shalt well remember what Jehovah thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
19the great trials which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, whereby Jehovah thy God brought thee out: so shall Jehovah thy God do unto all the peoples of whom thou art afraid.
20Moreover Jehovah thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves, perish from before thee.
← Deuteronomy 7:16Deuteronomy 7:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If thou shall say in thine heart, etc.] Should have secret thoughts arise in the heart, misgivings of heart, fears and doubts there, which, though not outwardly expressed, might be inwardly retained: these nations are more than I; seven to one, and perhaps anyone of them as powerful as Israel: how can I dispossess them? of the land they inherit, and take possession of it.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou shalt: Deu 8:17, Deu 15:9, Deu 18:21; Isa 14:13, Isa 47:8, Isa 49:21; Jer 13:22; Luk 9:47 These nations: Num 13:32, Num 33:53; Jos 17:16-18 Deuteronomy 7:18”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification