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Deuteronomy 7:1 - Divine promise: conquer mighty nations

Deuteronomy 7:1 - דברים 7:1

Hebrew Text

כִּי יְבִיאֲךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה בָא־שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ וְנָשַׁל גּוֹיִם־רַבִּים מִפָּנֶיךָ הַחִתִּי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי שִׁבְעָה גוֹיִם רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים מִמֶּךָּ׃

English Translation

When the Lord thy God shall bring thee to the land into which thou goest to possess it, and shall cast out many nations before thee, the Ḥitti, and the Girgashi, and the Emori, and the Kena῾ani, and the Perizzi, and the Ḥivvi, and the Yevusi, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Transliteration

Ki yevi'akha Adonai Elohekha el-ha'aretz asher-ata ba-shamah lirishtah, v'nashel goyim-rabim mipaneykha haChiti v'haGirgashi v'haEmori v'haKna'ani v'haPrizi v'haChivi v'haYevusi, shiv'ah goyim rabim va'atzumim mimekha.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גּֽוֹיִם־רַבִּ֣ים <small>׀</small> מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גוֹיִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ׃
כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גּֽוֹיִם־רַבִּ֣ים ׀ מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גוֹיִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy 7:1), where Moshe prepares Bnei Yisrael for their imminent entry into Eretz Yisrael. The verse emphasizes Hashem's role in bringing them into the land and dispossessing the seven Canaanite nations who currently inhabit it. The mention of these nations serves as both a promise and a warning regarding the challenges ahead.

The Seven Nations

The Torah lists seven nations—Hitti, Girgashi, Emori, Kena'ani, Perizzi, Chivi, and Yevusi—who are described as "greater and mightier" than Israel. Rashi (Devarim 7:1) notes that the phrase "greater and mightier than thou" underscores that Bnei Yisrael's victory will be miraculous, as these nations were formidable in both numbers and strength. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shoftim 3) elaborates that these nations were deeply entrenched in idolatry and moral corruption, justifying their expulsion.

Hashem's Role in Conquest

The verse begins with "כִּי יְבִיאֲךָ" ("When the Lord thy God shall bring thee"), emphasizing that the conquest is divinely ordained. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) explains that the mitzvah to dispossess these nations was conditional upon Hashem's explicit command and was not a blanket permission for warfare. The Sforno (Devarim 7:1) adds that the conquest was not due to Israel's military prowess but solely through divine intervention, reinforcing the need for faith in Hashem's promise.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Kli Yakar (Devarim 7:1) highlights that the phrase "לְרִשְׁתָּהּ" ("to possess it") implies more than physical conquest—it signifies inheriting the land in a way that aligns with Torah values. The seven nations represent negative spiritual forces (klipot), and their removal was necessary to establish a sanctified society. The Or HaChaim further explains that Bnei Yisrael had to actively participate in this process, demonstrating their commitment to Torah and mitzvot.

Historical and Halachic Perspectives

  • The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 20a) discusses the prohibition of intermarriage or forming treaties with these nations, as their influence could lead Bnei Yisrael astray.
  • The Ramban (Devarim 7:1) notes that the commandment to eradicate these nations was specific to that era and does not apply in later generations.
  • The Chizkuni points out that the order of the nations listed may reflect their geographic distribution or the sequence in which they would be encountered during the conquest.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 36a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the seven nations that inhabited the land of Canaan and the commandment to drive them out.
📖 Avodah Zarah 20a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the prohibition of intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations and the broader implications of their expulsion from the land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 7:1 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 7:1 describes how Hashem (God) will bring the Jewish people into the Land of Israel and help them conquer it by driving out seven powerful nations that lived there: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. This verse emphasizes that these nations were stronger than Israel, showing that victory would come through divine assistance, not human strength alone.
Q: Why are the seven nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1 important?
A: The seven nations represent the inhabitants of Canaan who were deeply entrenched in idolatry and immoral practices. According to Rashi and the Talmud, their removal was necessary to prevent the Jewish people from being influenced by their corrupt ways. The Torah warns against intermarrying with them or adopting their customs (Deuteronomy 7:3-5), as their presence could spiritually harm Israel.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 7:1 apply to Jewish life today?
A: While the conquest of Canaan was a specific historical event, the lesson of Deuteronomy 7:1 remains relevant. The verse teaches that success comes from Hashem’s help, not just human effort. Additionally, it reminds Jews to be vigilant against negative spiritual influences, just as the Israelites had to separate themselves from the corrupt practices of the seven nations.
Q: Why did Hashem command the removal of the seven nations?
A: According to Rambam (Maimonides) and other Jewish sources, the seven nations were steeped in extreme idolatry, cruelty, and immorality. Their presence in the land posed a spiritual danger to the Jewish people. The Torah (Deuteronomy 20:18) explains that allowing them to remain would lead Israel astray. Their removal was a necessary measure to establish a holy nation in the Land of Israel.
Q: What can we learn from the phrase 'seven nations greater and mightier than thou'?
A: This phrase teaches that the Jewish people’s success in conquering the land was not due to their own strength but to Hashem’s intervention. The Midrash (Sifrei) explains that this was to prevent arrogance and remind Israel that their victories come from divine assistance. It reinforces the idea of humility and reliance on Hashem in all endeavors.