Deuteronomy 12:29
When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations you are entering to dispossess, and you drive them out and live in their land,
When the LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, signifying His eternal and self-existent nature. "Your God" underscores the personal and communal relationship God has with His people, highlighting His role as their divine protector and provider. This relationship is foundational to Israel's identity and mission.

cuts off before you
The Hebrew root for "cuts off" is "karath," which often implies a decisive action of separation or destruction. In the context of Deuteronomy, it signifies God's sovereign intervention in history to fulfill His promises to Israel. This action is not merely military but also spiritual, as it involves the removal of pagan influences that could lead Israel astray.

the nations you are entering to dispossess
The term "nations" refers to the various Canaanite peoples inhabiting the Promised Land. Historically, these nations were known for their idolatrous practices, which were abominable to God. The word "dispossess" comes from the Hebrew "yarash," meaning to inherit or take possession. This reflects the divine mandate given to Israel to claim the land promised to their forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.

and you drive them out
The phrase "drive them out" involves the Hebrew verb "garash," which means to expel or cast out. This action is both a physical and spiritual cleansing of the land. It signifies Israel's active participation in God's plan, requiring obedience and faithfulness. The driving out of these nations is a divine judgment against their wickedness and a means to protect Israel from corruption.

and live in their land
The word "live" is derived from the Hebrew "yashab," meaning to dwell or settle. This indicates not just physical habitation but also establishing a community that honors God. "Their land" refers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. Living in this land is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God's commandments, serving as a constant reminder of His grace and provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is actively involved in the history and destiny of His people.

2. The Nations
The various peoples inhabiting the Promised Land, whom God commands Israel to dispossess due to their idolatrous practices.

3. Israel
The chosen people of God, led by Moses, who are on the brink of entering the Promised Land.

4. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants as an inheritance.

5. Dispossession
The act of driving out the current inhabitants of the land, as commanded by God, to establish a holy nation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Judgment
God is sovereign over all nations and executes judgment according to His righteousness. The dispossession of the nations is a divine act of judgment against their idolatry and wickedness.

Holiness and Separation
Israel is called to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding peoples. This requires a separation from idolatrous practices and a commitment to God's commands.

Obedience and Faithfulness
The success of Israel in the Promised Land is contingent upon their obedience to God's commands. Faithfulness to God ensures His continued blessing and presence.

Warning Against Idolatry
The passage serves as a warning against the allure of idolatry and the cultural practices of the nations. Believers today must guard against adopting worldly values that conflict with their faith.

Trust in God's Promises
Just as God promised to give Israel the land, He is faithful to fulfill His promises to His people today. Trusting in God's promises requires patience and faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in this passage affect your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can Christians today ensure they remain distinct and holy in a culture that often opposes biblical values?

3. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract believers from their commitment to God, and how can we guard against them?

4. How does the concept of dispossession in this passage relate to the New Testament teaching on spiritual warfare and resisting sin?

5. Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does this passage encourage you to trust in His faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 23:23-24
This passage also speaks of God sending His angel before Israel to bring them into the land and the command to not adopt the practices of the nations.

Joshua 23:12-13
Joshua warns Israel about the dangers of intermarrying with the remaining nations and turning away from God.

Leviticus 18:24-28
God warns Israel not to defile themselves with the practices of the nations, as this would lead to their own expulsion from the land.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
Paul warns the Corinthians about participating in pagan practices, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament warnings against idolatry.
The Central SanctuaryJ. Orr Deuteronomy 12:6-29
The Subtle Ensnarements of IdolatryD. Davies Deuteronomy 12:29-32
Unworthy InquiriesJ. Orr Deuteronomy 12:29-32
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River
Topics
Cut, Cuts, Cutteth, Dispossess, Dispossessed, Dispossessest, Driven, Dwell, Dwellest, Dwelt, Goest, Hast, Invade, Nations, Possess, Possessed, Possession, Presence, Settled, Succeedest, Whither
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 12:29-31

     8764   forgetting God
     8807   profanity

Library
The Eating of the Peace-Offering
'But thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.'--DEUT. xii. 18. There were three bloody sacrifices, the sin-offering, the burnt- offering, and the peace-offering. In all three expiation was the first idea, but in the second of them the act
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The King --Continued.
The second event recorded as important in the bright early years is the great promise of the perpetuity of the kingdom in David's house. As soon as the king was firmly established and free from war, he remembered the ancient word which said, "When He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there" (Deut. xii. 10, 11). His own ease rebukes him; he regards his tranquillity
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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