Deuteronomy 9:4 net — Do not think to yourself after the LORD your God has driven them out before you,“Because of my own righteousness the LO…

NET Bible

"Do not think to yourself after the LORD your God has driven them out before you,“Because of my own righteousness the LORD has brought me here to possess this land.” It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you."

— Deuteronomy 9:4, NET Bible

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Deuteronomy 9:4 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee.”

  • ASV

    “Speak not thou in thy heart, after that Jehovah thy God hath thrust them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness Jehovah hath brought me in to possess this land; whereas for the wickedness of these nations Jehovah doth drive them out from before thee. ”

  • WEB

    “Don't say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, saying, "For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;" because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations.”

  • DRB

    “Say not in thy heart, when the Lord thy God shall have destroyed them in thy sight: For my justice hath the Lord brought me in to possess this land, whereas these nations are destroyed for their wickedness.”

  • BBE

    “And after the Lord has sent them in flight from before you, say not in your heart, Because of my righteousness the Lord has given me this land; when it is because of their evil-doing that the Lord is driving these nations out before you.”

  • KJVA

    “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee.”

Deuteronomy 9 — Context

1

Theological Justification of the Conquest Listen, Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan so you can dispossess the nations there, people greater and stronger than you who live in large cities with extremely high fortifications.

2

They include the Anakites, a numerous and tall people whom you know about and of whom it is said,“Who is able to resist the Anakites?”

3

Understand today that the LORD your God who goes before you is a devouring fire; he will defeat and subdue them before you. You will dispossess and destroy them quickly just as he has told you.

4

Do not think to yourself after the LORD your God has driven them out before you,“Because of my own righteousness the LORD has brought me here to possess this land.” It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you.

5

It is not because of your righteousness, or even your inner uprightness, that you have come here to possess their land. Instead, because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out ahead of you in order to confirm the promise he made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

6

Understand, therefore, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is about to give you this good land as a possession, for you are a stubborn people!

7

The History of Israel’s Stubbornness Remember– don’t ever forget– how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness; from the time you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place you were constantly rebelling against him.

Deuteronomy 9:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Deuteronomy 9:4 say?
Deuteronomy 9:4 in the NET Bible reads: “Do not think to yourself after the LORD your God has driven them out before you,“Because of my own righteousness the LORD has brought me here to possess this land.” It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you.”
Where is Deuteronomy 9:4 in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 9:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 9, verse 4.
Who wrote Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Largely framed as Moses' farewell speeches; the closing chapter narrating his death was likely added by Joshua or a later editor. It was written c. 1406 BC.
What is the book of Deuteronomy about?
Deuteronomy is Moses' final sermons to Israel before they enter the Promised Land — a renewed call to love and obey the LORD. It re-states the Law, rehearses Israel's history, and lays before the people blessing for obedience and curse for rebellion.
What are the major themes of Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy explores themes including Covenant, Love, Obedience, Remembrance, Blessing & Curse. These themes shape the meaning and context of Deuteronomy 9:4.
What translation should I read Deuteronomy 9:4 in?
Deuteronomy 9:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Deuteronomy 9:4?
Deuteronomy 9:4 reads (NET): “Do not think to yourself after the LORD your God has driven them out before you,“Because of my own righteousness the LORD has brought me here to possess this land.” It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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