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Deuteronomy 31:3 - Divine leadership ensures victory.

Deuteronomy 31:3 - דברים 31:3

Hebrew Text

יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא עֹבֵר לְפָנֶיךָ הוּא־יַשְׁמִיד אֶת־הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וִירִשְׁתָּם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הוּא עֹבֵר לְפָנֶיךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה׃

English Translation

The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt dispossess them: and Yehoshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord has said.

Transliteration

Adonai Eloheicha hu over lefaneicha, hu-yashmid et-hagoyim ha'eleh milefaneicha virishtam. Yehoshua hu over lefaneicha ka'asher diber Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ ה֣וּא <b>׀</b> עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֗יךָ הֽוּא־יַשְׁמִ֞יד אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֛לֶּה מִלְּפָנֶ֖יךָ וִירִשְׁתָּ֑ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ ה֚וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃
יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ ה֣וּא ׀ עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֗יךָ הֽוּא־יַשְׁמִ֞יד אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֛לֶּה מִלְּפָנֶ֖יךָ וִירִשְׁתָּ֑ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ ה֚וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Divine Leadership and Conquest

The verse (Devarim 31:3) emphasizes Hashem's role as the ultimate leader in the conquest of Eretz Yisrael. Rashi explains that "ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא עֹבֵר לְפָנֶיךָ" ("The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee") refers to the Divine Presence preceding Bnei Yisrael in battle, ensuring their victory. This echoes the promise in Shemot 23:20-23, where an angel (understood by Chazal as the Divine Presence itself) would lead them.

Yehoshua as the Human Leader

The mention of Yehoshua ("יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הוּא עֹבֵר לְפָנֶיךָ") highlights his role as Moshe's successor. Ramban notes that Yehoshua's leadership was an extension of Divine will, as he was chosen by Hashem (Bamidbar 27:18-21). The Sifrei stresses that Yehoshua's success depended on his adherence to Torah, mirroring Moshe's devotion.

The Dual Aspect of Conquest

  • Divine Intervention: "הוּא־יַשְׁמִיד אֶת־הַגּוֹיִם" ("He will destroy these nations") underscores that victory came from Hashem, not human strength (Devarim 8:17-18). The Midrash Tanchuma (Korach 12) compares this to a king who fights alongside his people.
  • Human Responsibility: "וִירִשְׁתָּם" ("and thou shalt dispossess them") implies Bnei Yisrael's active role in driving out the nations, as Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1) derives for the mitzvah of settling Eretz Yisrael.

Fulfillment of Divine Promise

The concluding phrase "כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה'" ("as the Lord has said") reaffirms the covenant with Avot (Bereishit 15:18-21). Ibn Ezra links this to Hashem's unwavering commitment, while the Kli Yakar emphasizes that Bnei Yisrael's merit determined the timing of the conquest.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 31:3 mean?
A: This verse reassures the Jewish people that Hashem (God) will lead them into the Land of Israel and help them conquer the nations living there. Yehoshua (Joshua) is appointed as their leader to succeed Moshe (Moses), as promised by Hashem. Rashi explains that this verse emphasizes divine assistance in their battles.
Q: Why is Yehoshua mentioned in this verse?
A: Yehoshua is mentioned because he was chosen by Hashem to lead the Jewish people after Moshe's passing. The Talmud (Bava Batra 75a) teaches that Yehoshua was a worthy successor, showing that leadership transitions are part of Hashem's plan for the Jewish people.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse teaches trust in Hashem's guidance during challenging transitions. Just as Hashem assured the Jewish people of His presence and support, we too can rely on His help in difficult times. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim) discusses how divine assistance applies to Jewish leadership and national struggles.
Q: What does it mean that Hashem will 'destroy these nations from before thee'?
A: This refers to the nations inhabiting the Land of Israel whom the Jewish people were commanded to dispossess. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that this was a divine decree due to their wickedness, and the conquest was conditional upon the Jewish people's faithfulness to Torah.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is significant because it marks the transition from Moshe to Yehoshua's leadership and reaffirms Hashem's promise to bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisrael. It's often cited in discussions about Jewish leadership (as in Pirkei Avot 1:1) and divine providence in Jewish history.