Deuteronomy 9:5
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 9:5 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the Bible, Deuteronomy 9:5, emphasizes that the Israelites are not going to possess the land of Canaan because of their own righteousness or uprightness, but because of the wickedness of the nations currently inhabiting the land. The Lord drives out these nations before the Israelites to fulfill the promise He made to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This serves as a reminder to the Israelites that their possession of the land is not based on their own merits, but on God's faithfulness to His covenant with their ancestors. The verse highlights the importance of God's sovereignty and His fulfillment of His promises, despite the shortcomings of His people. It also serves as a warning against pride and self-righteousness, as the Israelites are reminded that their blessings come from God's grace and faithfulness rather than their own actions.
Theological Overview
This verse from Deuteronomy 9:5 sheds light on the theological interpretation of God's promises to the Israelites. It emphasizes that the Israelites were not chosen to possess the land of the Canaanites because of their own righteousness or uprightness, but rather because of the wickedness of the nations already living there. This serves as a reminder that God's actions are not based on human merit, but rather on his divine plan and sovereignty. The mention of the Lord swearing to the forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob highlights the faithfulness of God to his promises. This verse can offer comfort and assurance to readers, reminding them of God's ultimate authority and faithfulness in fulfilling his word. Through studying the context and word meanings in this verse, one can gain a deeper understanding of the complex theological themes at play in the passage.
Deuteronomy 9:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thy heart, dost thou go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Jehovah thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may establish the word which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
World English Bible
Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Douay-Rheims
For it is not for thy justices, and the uprightness of thy heart that thou shalt go in to possess their lands: but because they have done wickedly, they are destroyed at thy coming in: and that the Lord might accomplish his word, which he promised by oath to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For thou entrest not to inherite their lande for thy righteousnesse, or for thy vpright heart: but for the wickednesse of those nations, the Lord thy God doth cast them out before thee, and that he might performe the worde which the Lord thy God sware vnto thy fathers, Abraham, Izhak, and Iacob.