1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
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:
3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
6 For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.
7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:
8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all [them] that hate thee.
16 And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.
17 If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations [are] more than I; how can I dispossess them?
18 Thou shalt not be afraid of them: [but] shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
20 Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.
21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God [is] among you, a mighty God and terrible.
22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
23 But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.
24 And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.
25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold [that is] on them, nor take [it] unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it [is] an abomination to the LORD thy God.
26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.
Overview of Deuteronomy Chapter 7
Deuteronomy Chapter 7 is a significant passage in the Hebrew Bible that outlines God’s instructions to the Israelites regarding their relationship with the nations they will encounter in the Promised Land. The chapter emphasizes themes of divine election, purity, and the consequences of disobedience.
Key Themes
- Divine Election: The chapter begins by affirming that God has chosen Israel as His special people.
- Separation from Other Nations: A clear directive is given to avoid intermingling with the Canaanite nations.
- Consequences of Idolatry: The text warns against the dangers of worshipping foreign gods.
- God’s Faithfulness: The chapter reassures the Israelites of God’s commitment to protect and bless them if they remain faithful.
Detailed Analysis
1. God’s Command to Conquer (Verses 1-2)
The chapter opens with a command for the Israelites to conquer the seven nations of Canaan. This is not merely a military directive but a divine mandate, emphasizing that God is the one who delivers these nations into their hands.
- The seven nations are described as greater and mightier than Israel, highlighting the need for faith in God’s power.
- The command to utterly destroy these nations reflects the seriousness of maintaining Israel’s covenantal purity.
2. The Call for Separation (Verses 3-4)
God instructs the Israelites not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the land. This prohibition serves multiple purposes:
- To prevent the dilution of Israel’s religious identity.
- To avoid the influence of foreign customs and idolatry.
The text emphasizes that intermarriage would lead to the turning away of the Israelites from God, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.
3. The Reasons for Separation (Verses 5-6)
God provides reasons for the Israelites to remain separate from other nations:
- To destroy the altars, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles associated with idolatry.
- To maintain their status as a holy people chosen by God.
This section underscores the importance of worshiping God alone and adhering to His commandments.
4. God’s Promises to Israel (Verses 7-11)
God reassures the Israelites that His choice of them is not based on their size or strength but on His love and faithfulness to their ancestors. This section highlights:
- The unconditional love of God for His people.
- The importance of obedience to God’s commandments as a response to His grace.
5. The Consequences of Obedience (Verses 12-16)
The chapter outlines the blessings that will follow if the Israelites obey God’s commands:
- God will keep His covenant and show mercy to those who love Him.
- The promise of prosperity, fertility, and protection from disease and enemies.
This section serves as a motivational call to faithfulness, emphasizing the tangible benefits of obedience.
6. The Assurance of Victory (Verses 17-26)
In the concluding verses, God encourages the Israelites to trust in His power as they face the nations. Key points include:
- The reminder that God will fight for them and they should not fear.
- The assurance that even though the nations are numerous, God will deliver them into Israel’s hands.
God’s promise of gradual victory serves to build the faith of the Israelites, ensuring they do not become overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy Chapter 7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the need for separation from influences that could lead to idolatry. It reassures the Israelites of God’s love and commitment while emphasizing the consequences of disobedience. The chapter serves as a foundational text for understanding the covenant relationship between God and His people.
