Deuteronomy 7 20

Deuteronomy 7:20 kjv

Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

Deuteronomy 7:20 nkjv

Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed.

Deuteronomy 7:20 niv

Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.

Deuteronomy 7:20 esv

Moreover, the LORD your God will send hornets among them, until those who are left and hide themselves from you are destroyed.

Deuteronomy 7:20 nlt

And then the LORD your God will send terror to drive out the few survivors still hiding from you!

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:20 speaks to the powerful, unseen intervention of the Lord God in aiding Israel's conquest of Canaan. It specifically promises that Yahweh will use the "hornet"—interpreted either literally as an insect pest, or more likely as a metaphor for divine terror, panic, or internal dissension—to discomfit and eventually destroy the inhabitants of the land. This divine agent would continue its work until the remaining inhabitants, even those hidden, were utterly eradicated, thereby clearing the way for Israel's settlement.

Deuteronomy 7 20 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 7 begins with Moses' instruction to Israel regarding the impending conquest of Canaan. He emphasizes God's choice of Israel not because of their numbers but because of His love and oath (Dt 7:6-8). Crucially, this chapter details the complete destruction (cherem) commanded by God against the seven Canaanite nations, to prevent Israel from falling into idolatry (Dt 7:1-5). Verse 20 fits into this discourse as a specific promise of divine assistance in the conquest, reassuring Israel that Yahweh will fight for them in unseen ways. This divine aid ensures the land will be thoroughly purged of its corrupt inhabitants, thereby preserving Israel's covenant purity. Historically, this promise would have been a significant reassurance to a nomadic people on the brink of facing established nations. The cherem was understood not merely as military genocide, but as a spiritual quarantine, a radical surgical removal of deep-seated evil to preserve the holiness of God's covenant people and the land promised to them.

Deuteronomy 7 20 Word analysis

• Moreover (וְגַם, və·gam): Connects this specific divine action to the preceding general promises of God's assistance in the conquest (Dt 7:1-5, 7:16). It implies "in addition to" or "furthermore," signaling another means God will employ to secure victory. It emphasizes the manifold ways God intervenes on behalf of His people.
• the Lord your God (יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, YHWH Eloheykha): Explicitly identifies the divine actor as Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This phrase underscores His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness to His promises, and His supreme power and authority over all creation and all nations. It is a reminder that the conquest is not merely a human endeavor but a divine mandate and mission.
• will send (יְשַׁלַּח, yə·shal·laḥ): A powerful verb signifying purposeful action and delegation. It implies an active, deliberate intervention by God, not a natural occurrence. God is the one initiating and directing this particular force.
• the hornet (הַצִּרְעָה, ha·ṣṣir·‘āh): The Hebrew term tsirah (צִרְעָה). This is a unique and significant element. In biblical Hebrew, it likely refers to a literal hornet, but its metaphorical interpretation is highly favored by scholars. It can signify any or all of the following:
  • Literal insect: A natural plague, though less likely to fully accomplish the task implied.
  • Panic/Dread: A state of divinely inflicted terror or demoralization, causing the inhabitants to flee or lose courage before Israel even arrives, or even to fight among themselves. This aligns with other biblical descriptions of fear gripping enemies (Exod 15:16, Jos 2:9).
  • Internal strife/Dissension: God causing political and social breakdown within the Canaanite communities, leading them to weaken and destroy each other (similar to Judg 7:22, 1 Sam 14:20).
  • Disease/Pestilence: A widespread, debilitating plague.Whatever the precise manifestation, tsirah represents an unseen, pre-emptive divine action that sows chaos and weakness, making subsequent military victory easier for Israel. It highlights God's sovereignty over natural phenomena and human psychology.
• among them (בָּהֶם, bā·hem): Refers to the Canaanite inhabitants mentioned earlier in the chapter (Dt 7:1). This specificity underscores the target of God's judgment and reinforces the idea of the conquest as a purging of the land.
• until (עַד, ‘ad): Denotes the duration and conclusive end of the hornet's activity. The purpose is not temporary harassment but sustained eradication.
• those who are left (הַנִּשְׁאָרִים, han·niš·’ā·rîm): Refers to survivors or a remnant. This suggests the hornet's action would target those who remained even after other initial engagements or forms of destruction.
• and hide themselves (וְהַנִּסְתָּרִים, və·han·nis·tā·rîm): Implies a state of fear, evasion, and inability to offer open resistance. Even those who sought to escape or conceal themselves from the advance of Israel would not be exempt from God's reach. It highlights the thoroughness of God's judgment.
• from you (מִפָּנֶיךָ, mip·pā·ney·ḵā): While God is the primary actor, Israel is the immediate presence from which the Canaanites seek to hide. This shows the dual agency: God's unseen power enabling Israel's physical presence to be effective.
• are destroyed (יֹאבֵדוּ, yo·ve·ḏū): The ultimate, irreversible outcome. This verb signifies total annihilation or perishability, consistent with the cherem command of complete eradication of the Canaanites. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of divine judgment and the holiness required for the land and God's people.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them": This phrase introduces a divine strategy that complements military action. It signifies God's comprehensive approach to clearing the land. The emphasis is on God's initiative and supernatural means, contrasting human strength with divine omnipotence. It also ensures Israel understands that the victory is entirely God's, preventing pride or reliance on their own power.
• "until those who are left and hide themselves from you are destroyed": This second part emphasizes the thoroughness and finality of God's destructive work. The "hornet" is not just an irritant; it is an instrument of complete judgment. No one, not even the remnants hiding, would escape the divinely orchestrated destruction, illustrating the pervasive and inescapable nature of God's judgment against entrenched wickedness.

Deuteronomy 7 20 Bonus section

The concept of the "hornet" highlights God's use of indirect or non-military means to accomplish His will. It shows His strategic depth, often operating behind the scenes, inflicting psychological or internal warfare on adversaries before direct confrontation. This imagery stands in contrast to common ancient Near Eastern practices of valuing vast armies and overt displays of power. Instead, God asserts His unique method: even small or subtle means can be devastating in His hands. It reinforces the idea that Israel's role was to be obedient and trust in God's power, rather than their own numbers or military prowess. The tsirah also ensures that when Israel enters, they find an enemy already in disarray, diminishing any temptation for Israel to boast in their own might. This subtle yet powerful promise underscores divine sovereignty in fulfilling covenant promises.

Deuteronomy 7 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:20 illustrates a core principle of the biblical narrative: God's active, pervasive, and often unseen involvement in the affairs of His people and the nations. The "hornet" (צִרְעָה, tsirah) is not merely a detail; it's a profound theological statement. It signifies God's ability to destabilize, demoralize, and destroy enemies through means that are not conventional military might. Whether it represented a literal pestilence, overwhelming panic, or internecine conflict, its primary function was to pre-soften the enemy and demonstrate that the conquest was God's battle. This was critical for Israel to grasp, preventing them from attributing success to their own strength (Dt 8:17). The destruction was to be comprehensive, ensuring that those who posed a spiritual threat were entirely removed, even if they attempted to evade capture. This divine intervention secured the land not only physically but spiritually, allowing for the establishment of a holy nation. The "hornet" ensures the thoroughness of the conquest, paving the way for Israel's faithful inheritance.Example: Consider how psychological terror or economic disruption (akin to an unseen "hornet") can pave the way for a shift, even before direct conflict begins. Similarly, spiritual battles often involve unseen forces of confusion and fear operating against the unrighteous, making their resistance crumble.