Deuteronomy 7:2
Deuteronomy 7:2 in Multiple Translations
and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
and when Jehovah thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them;
And when the Lord has given them up into your hands and you have overcome them, give them up to complete destruction: make no agreement with them, and have no mercy on them:
When the Lord your God has handed them over to you to defeat them, then you must set them apart for destruction. Don't make any peace treaty with them and don't show them any mercy.
And the Lord thy God shall giue them before thee, then thou shalt smite them: thou shalt vtterly destroy them: thou shalt make no couenant with them, nor haue compassion on them,
and Jehovah thy God hath given them before thee, and thou hast smitten them — thou dost utterly devote them — thou dost not make with them a covenant, nor dost thou favour them.
and when the LORD your God delivers them up before you, and you strike them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them.
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee, thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them, thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them:
And the Lord thy God shall have delivered them to thee, thou shalt utterly destroy them. Thou shalt make no league with them, nor shew mercy to them:
When Yahweh our God enables you to defeat [DOU] them, you must kill all of them. You must not make ◄an alliance/a peace treaty► with any of them. You must not act mercifully toward them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 7:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 7:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/נְתָנָ֞/ם
יְהוָ֧ה
אֱלֹהֶ֛י/ךָ
לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֑/ם
הַחֲרֵ֤ם
תַּחֲרִים֙
אֹתָ֔/ם
לֹא
תִכְרֹ֥ת
לָ/הֶ֛ם
בְּרִ֖ית
וְ/לֹ֥א
תְחָנֵּֽ/ם
וּ/נְתָנָ֞/ם
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
יְהוָ֧ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֶ֛י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֑/ם
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms | Suff
הַחֲרֵ֤ם
châram
H2763
to devote/destroy
V-Hiphil-Ptc
תַּחֲרִים֙
châram
H2763
to devote/destroy
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
אֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִכְרֹ֥ת
kârath
H3772
to cut
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
לָ/הֶ֛ם
Prep | Suff
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תְחָנֵּֽ/ם
chânan
H2603
be gracious
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 7:2
וּ/נְתָנָ֞/ם
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
יְהוָ֧ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֶ֛י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֑/ם
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
הַחֲרֵ֤ם
châram
H2763
"to devote/destroy"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.
Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.
תַּחֲרִים֙
châram
H2763
"to devote/destroy"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.
Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.
אֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִכְרֹ֥ת
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
לָ/הֶ֛ם
""
Prep | Suff
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תְחָנֵּֽ/ם
chânan
H2603
"be gracious"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to show kindness or favor, often by bending or stooping to help someone in need, as seen in the actions of God towards his people.
Definition: 1) to be gracious, show favour, pity 1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious 1b) (Niphal) to be pitied 1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious 1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on 1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration 1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 33:5; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 4:2.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 7:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 7:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 7:2
Context — Drive Out the Nations
1When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—
2and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
3Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 2:2 | and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? |
| 2 | Exodus 23:32–33 | You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 20:16–17 | However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction —the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, |
| 4 | Joshua 2:14 | “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.” |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 23:14 | For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you. |
| 6 | Leviticus 27:28–29 | Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death. |
| 7 | Joshua 10:30 | And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel, and Joshua put all the people to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Libnah as he had done to the king of Jericho. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 13:8 | you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. |
| 9 | Joshua 10:28 | On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 7:23–24 | But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed. He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them. |
Deuteronomy 7:2 Summary
This verse is talking about a specific time in history when God was giving the Israelites the land of Canaan, and He commanded them to completely destroy the nations that were living there because of their wickedness. This doesn't mean that we should go around destroying people or showing no mercy, but rather that we should be completely devoted to following God and not compromise with things that are against Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37. We are called to love and show mercy to others, as taught in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28, but we must also be mindful of the influences that can turn us away from God, as warned in Deuteronomy 7:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God command the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in the land?
God's command to destroy the nations in the land is a judgment on their wickedness, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:5, and to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by their idolatrous practices, as warned in Deuteronomy 7:4 and Exodus 23:33.
Is this verse promoting violence or hatred towards other people?
No, this verse is specifically addressing the Israelites' relationship with the nations in the land that God had promised to give them, and the command to destroy these nations is a unique historical circumstance, as explained in Deuteronomy 7:1-2, and not a general principle for relationships with others, as taught in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28.
How does this verse relate to the concept of showing mercy and loving our enemies?
While God commands the Israelites to show no mercy to the nations in the land, this is a specific historical context, and in other passages, such as Proverbs 25:21-22 and Romans 12:20, we are taught to show kindness and love to our enemies, demonstrating God's heart of love and mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8 and Luke 6:36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be compromising with the 'nations' in my own life, and how can I apply the principle of complete devotion to God?
- How can I balance the command to 'show no mercy' in this verse with the command to 'love my enemies' in other parts of Scripture?
- What are some modern-day 'nations' or influences that may be tempting me to turn away from God, and how can I resist their pull?
- In what ways can I demonstrate God's love and mercy to those around me, while still maintaining a commitment to following Him alone?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 7:2
And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee,.... Into their hands: thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; men, women, and children; which was ordered not merely to make way and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 7:2
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Thou shalt ... utterly
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
No covenant with them, to spare them, or permit them to dwell with thee in the land. Other nations had more favour, but these were for their great wickedness, and for the good of Israel, devoted to utter destruction.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
Deuteronomy 7:2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:Ver. 2. Nor show mercy unto them.] Their iniquity was now full; they filled the land with filthiness, from corner to corner; they were ripe for the sickle, ready for the vintage of God’ s wrath, which now came upon them to the utmost.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
(2) And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee. . . .—It would be possible to read, “Then the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee, and thou shalt smite.” Or the sentence might also be divided thus: “When the Lord thy God shall bring thee in, and shall have delivered the nations from before thee, and thou hast smitten them, then thou shalt utterly destroy them”—i.e., shalt make them chêrem, a devoted or accursed thing. Perhaps this last way of dividing the clauses is, upon the whole, to be preferred. But in any case it should be noted that Jehovah’s deliverance of the nations into Israel’s hand is to precede their defeat and extermination. Indiscriminate attack and massacre are not to be thought of. (See for a further Note on this, Joshua 13) All the operations described in Joshua—the sieges of Jericho and Ai, the southern campaign and the northern campaign—were alike undertaken under Divine direction. The same may be said of the battles in Moses’ lifetime, whether against Amalek, Sihon, Og, Arad, or Midian. The same is true of the judges, and of David’s operations against the Philistines after he came to the throne (2 Samuel 5:19, &c). The principle was acknowledged by Ahab in his attack on Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22). Thou shalt make no covenant with them.—The reason for this is too obvious to need comment. If Israelites and idolaters were united—still more if they were intermingled in marriage—there was an end to the distinction of race and religion—an end to the supremacy of Israel or the isolation of the people of Jehovah, as exhibiting His Law and the blessings of His government to mankind.
It must be remembered, however, that the isolation here commanded was only a means to an end; it was not the end itself. It may be further observed that as soon as the danger of idolatry was at an end, the isolation of Israel in a great measure ceased. The object of giving the people a land of their own, and supremacy among the surrounding nations, was to enable them to develop the religion which was to prepare the way for Christianity. When the religious principles of the nation were sufficiently fixed to make their political supremacy unnecessary, this supremacy was taken away.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
Verse 2. Thou shalt smite them, c.] These idolatrous nations were to be utterly destroyed, and all the others also which were contiguous to the boundaries of the promised land, provided they did not renounce their idolatry and receive the true faith: for if they did not, then no covenant was to be made with them on any secular or political consideration whatever no mercy was to be shown to them, because the cup of their iniquity also was now full; and they must either embrace, heartily embrace, the true religion, or be cut off.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 7:2
2. deliver them up before] See on Deuteronomy 1:8. thou shall utterly destroy them] put to the ban, herem. See on Deuteronomy 2:34. make no covenant with them] no treaty or alliance; so in JE, Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12; cp. Joshua 9:6, 1 Samuel 11:1 ff. (instances of such).
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:2
2. Smite them, and utterly destroy them — Thou shalt treat them as accursed — as devoted to utter destruction. These nations had filled up the measure of their iniquity before Jehovah.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 7:2
| Sermon | Description | |
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Deception by the Gibeonites by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the deception by the Gibeonites as described in Joshua chapter 9. He emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings that God gives u |
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God's Truth About Alliances (Part 2) by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the consequences of being unequally yoked with the world. He uses the story of Lot from the book of Genesis as an example. Lot had moved in wi |
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Through the Bible - Deuteronomy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Deuteronomy and its three main themes: looking back at God's faithfulness, looking upwards at God's laws, and looking forward to G |
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(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas |
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Epistle 379 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of nurturing one's spiritual life while engaging in outward missions, particularly in America. He encourages his friends to cultivate their hea |
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Comfort for the Church by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the comforting presence of God in the midst of His church, emphasizing that despite external and internal enemies, God's refuge and strength are always |