Exodus 23:28 kjv

And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

Exodus 23:28 nkjv

And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you.

Exodus 23:28 niv

I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.

Exodus 23:28 esv

And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you.

Exodus 23:28 nlt

I will send terror ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 28 Meaning

Exodus 23:28 proclaims God's proactive commitment to clearing the promised land for Israel. He declares His intention to send "hornets" before them, an agent of divine assistance that will instigate fear, confusion, or even literal expulsion, thereby driving out three specific indigenous nations—the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite—from Israel's path. This verse underscores God's sovereignty and His role in fighting on behalf of His people to secure their inheritance.

Exodus 23 28 Context

Exodus 23:28 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments and sets forth statutes and judgments for Israel. This specific verse falls within a section (Ex 23:20-33) that outlines God's promises and commands related to Israel's journey to and conquest of Canaan. It assures Israel of divine assistance in clearing the land if they remain obedient to the covenant. Historically, this promise was given before Israel entered Canaan, offering a significant assurance that their success in dispossessing stronger nations would not depend solely on their military prowess, but primarily on God's active intervention. Culturally, the promise countered the natural fear of facing numerous powerful indigenous peoples, including those like the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites, whose strongholds and armies would have seemed formidable to the nomadic Israelites. This divine assurance undermined any reliance on pagan deities believed to protect territories, explicitly positioning YHWH as the sole Giver and Defender of the promised land.

Exodus 23 28 Word analysis

• And I will send (וְשָׁלַחְתִּי - v'shalachti): The direct, personal involvement of God (Yahweh) is paramount. The Hebrew verb shalach implies purposeful dispatch, signifying an intentional, deliberate act on God's part. It highlights divine initiative.
• hornets (הַצִּרְעָה - hattzir'ah): Hebrew tzirah. This term has a dual interpretation: it could be literal hornets, suggesting a plague of insects that would inflict terror and discomfort, forcing people to abandon their homes; or, more commonly among scholars, it refers to a metaphor for a pervasive, overwhelming terror or panic that God instills in the inhabitants, leading them to flee. Regardless of the precise nature, it signifies a non-conventional, supernaturally instigated form of psychological warfare or direct plague, bypassing Israel's direct combat in some instances. It suggests a means of conquest that avoids open conflict where Israel might be outmatched.
• before you (לְפָנֶיךָ - l'faneykha): Indicates God's action precedes and prepares the way for Israel. This is a pre-emptive measure, clearing obstacles ahead of their arrival or during their initial approach, signifying divine providence.
• which shall drive out (וְגֵרְשָׁה - v'gereshah): The Hebrew verb garash means to expel, to thrust out, or to divorce. It denotes a decisive and forceful expulsion of the inhabitants from their land, leaving no option for them but to flee.
• the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite: These are three distinct ethnic groups from the larger collective of indigenous nations inhabiting Canaan, frequently listed among the seven or ten nations Israel was to dispossess. Their mention specifically implies that even these strong, established groups would not withstand God's action. Their inclusion signifies the comprehensive nature of the promised expulsion.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And I will send hornets before you": This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign control over nature and circumstances to achieve His will. The "hornets" are God's chosen, unexpected, and indirect instrument of conquest. This particular phrase is reiterated in Deut 7:20 and confirmed as fulfilled in Josh 24:12, underlining its significance as a specific, powerful divine aid. It promises an external, powerful agent to dislodge enemies.
• "which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you": This part clarifies the purpose and effect of God's sending the "hornets"—the forcible expulsion of established populations. It outlines a direct and measurable outcome of God's action, ensuring the path for Israel's settlement is cleared of specific, prominent antagonists. The repetition of "from before you" highlights God's initiative in clearing obstacles that lay in Israel's path, emphasizing that Israel would not have to conquer every inch by conventional warfare.

Exodus 23 28 Bonus section

The promise of "hornets" showcases God's creativity in warfare. Instead of always deploying angels or overwhelming military force, He employs a more subtle, yet equally devastating, psychological or natural phenomenon. This method bypasses conventional battle where Israel might be weak, emphasizing His diverse methods for victory. It demonstrates a God who actively participates in His people's affairs, often unseen or through unexpected agents. The ultimate goal is the land's possession for Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His oath made to Abraham (Gen 12:7, 15:18). This passage also contains polemic elements against the Canaanite Baal cults, whose gods were associated with fertility and weather patterns; YHWH, through "hornets," asserts His supreme dominion over nature and His enemies.

Exodus 23 28 Commentary

Exodus 23:28 serves as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel. The promise to send "hornets" signifies a divinely orchestrated form of terror or confusion, or perhaps even literal biological infestation, that would debilitate Israel's enemies before a full-scale military engagement. This supernatural intervention highlights that the success of the conquest would hinge not on Israel's might or strategy, but on God's omnipotent hand. It assured Israel that their mission was divine and God would personally clear their way. This truth encouraged their faith and obedience, knowing that YHWH was their vanguard, able to conquer even formidable nations through unexpected means, making their settlement of the promised land achievable despite the odds. It underscored God's power to manipulate nature and human psychology for His purposes, demonstrating His unique power in contrast to the limited powers of the Canaanite gods.