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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} will send {H7971} the hornet {H6880} among them, until they that are left {H7604}, and hide {H5641} themselves from {H6440} thee, be destroyed {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, ADONAI your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and those who hide themselves perish ahead of you.

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet against them until even the survivors hiding from you have perished.

American Standard Version

Moreover Jehovah thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves, perish from before thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 7:20 offers a profound assurance to the Israelites that their impending conquest of Canaan would be divinely orchestrated and supernaturally assisted. Moses declares that Yahweh, their God, would deploy the "hornet" among the land's inhabitants, a mysterious yet potent agent of divine terror and destruction. This intervention would ensure the complete dispossession and annihilation of any remaining Canaanites, even those attempting to evade the Israelites by hiding. The promise powerfully underscores God's active sovereignty over all creation, His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His covenant, and His readiness to fight on behalf of His people against formidable spiritual and physical adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Moses's pivotal farewell discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It resides in [Deuteronomy 7](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Covenant Fidelity and Conquest"), a chapter that profoundly outlines Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and the imperative for absolute separation from the idolatrous Canaanite nations. Moses unequivocally commands Israel to utterly destroy these nations and their abominable practices, forbidding any treaties or intermarriage, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1-5 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Utterly Destroy and Separate"). The promise of the "hornet" in [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - The Promise of the Hornet") serves as a specific, divinely guaranteed means by which God would achieve this comprehensive dispossession. It complements the broader assurance that the LORD would drive out the nations "little by little" ([Deuteronomy 7:22](/deuteronomy/7-22 "Deuteronomy 7:22 - Gradual Conquest")), reinforcing the overarching theme that the conquest is fundamentally God's work, not solely dependent on Israel's military prowess.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As the Israelites stood poised on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, they faced the formidable challenge of conquering Canaan, a land inhabited by numerous, well-established, and often militarily superior nations such as the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as enumerated in [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - Nations to be Dispossessed"). These societies were deeply entrenched in polytheistic worship, marked by egregious practices including child sacrifice and ritual prostitution, which God condemned and for which He was bringing severe judgment. While the concept of a national deity fighting for its people was common in the ancient Near East, Yahweh's method, employing something as seemingly unconventional as "hornets" or a divine panic, profoundly distinguished Him. This unique intervention highlighted His absolute power and sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to transcend conventional warfare and achieve victory through supernatural means. It served not only to facilitate the conquest but also to powerfully reaffirm God's faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to purify the land for the dwelling of His holy people.
* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - The Promise of the Hornet") significantly contributes to several foundational themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention** is paramount; the verse unequivocally states that the LORD "will send" the hornet, illustrating that the conquest is fundamentally God's battle, not Israel's alone. This highlights God's active role as the primary agent of victory. Secondly, **Covenant Faithfulness** is powerfully underscored, as this promise echoes earlier declarations of divine aid made in [Exodus 23:28](/exodus/23-28 "Exodus 23:28 - The Hornet Promise in Exodus") and anticipates its fulfillment, as testified by Joshua in [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - Joshua's Testimony of the Hornet"), thereby demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His people and His word. Thirdly, the verse speaks to **Judgment on Wickedness**, portraying the dispossession of the Canaanites as a righteous act of divine justice against their profound idolatry and moral depravity, as further explained in [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Reasons for Dispossession"). Finally, it subtly supports the theme of **Gradual Conquest**, as the "hornet" facilitates the driving out of the inhabitants in a manner that prevents the land from becoming desolate and overrun by wild beasts before Israel could fully occupy it ([Deuteronomy 7:22](/deuteronomy/7-22 "Deuteronomy 7:22 - Gradual Conquest")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord." This emphasizes the personal, covenantal name of God, Yahweh, who is the eternally existing, self-sufficient, and sovereign deity. His action in sending the hornet is not a random event but an intentional act by the God who is faithful to His promises and actively involved in the affairs of His people. It signifies His unique power and authority over all creation and all nations.
* **Hornet (Hebrew, _tsirʻâh'_):** From H6880, meaning "a wasp (as stinging); hornet." This term, found also in [Exodus 23:28](/exodus/23-28 "Exodus 23:28 - The Hornet Promise") and [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - Joshua's Testimony"), is typically understood in two ways. It could refer to literal swarms of stinging insects, demonstrating God's power to use even the smallest creatures to achieve His purposes. More commonly, and supported by [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - God Sent the Hornet"), it is interpreted metaphorically as a divine panic, terror, or plague that demoralized and scattered the enemy. This "hornet" represents a supernatural, non-military agent sent by God to instill overwhelming fear and disunity among the Canaanites, leading to their flight or destruction without direct Israelite combat.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6, meaning "to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee." In this context, it signifies the complete and utter removal or annihilation of the remaining inhabitants. It underscores the totality of God's judgment and the thoroughness of the dispossession, implying not merely defeat but a comprehensive eradication of their presence to ensure they would no longer pose a threat or a spiritual snare to Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine initiative and agency. It is not Israel's might or strategy, but "the LORD thy God" who orchestrates and dispatches this specific, divinely-empowered agent. The "hornet" is the chosen means by which God will begin to achieve His purpose of dispossession. This highlights God's active involvement, His commitment to fighting for His people, and His ability to employ methods beyond human expectation or conventional warfare.
* **"until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee":** This phrase vividly portrays the pervasive and inescapable nature of God's judgment. The "hornet" is depicted as relentlessly pursuing even those who survive initial encounters with Israel and attempt to evade the divine judgment by seeking refuge or concealment. It speaks to the thoroughness of the divine plan, ensuring that no remnant of the condemned nations would remain to corrupt Israel or reclaim the land. This implies a persistent, inescapable divine pressure that leaves no room for escape.
* **"be destroyed":** This conclusive clause declares the ultimate and inevitable outcome: the complete and final elimination of the remaining, hidden enemies. It signifies the successful completion of the dispossession and judgment, leading to the comprehensive removal of the Canaanite presence. This destruction is not merely military defeat but a thorough cleansing of the land, preparing it for Israel's full inheritance and settlement, removing all spiritual and physical threats.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 7:20 primarily employs **Metonymy** or **Symbolism** with the term "hornet." While a literal interpretation of actual stinging insects is plausible, the more profound theological impact arises from understanding "hornet" as a symbolic representation of divine terror, panic, or a supernatural force that God unleashes upon His enemies. This figure of speech vividly conveys the idea of an unseen, overwhelming power that causes disarray, flight, and ultimately, defeat, often without direct human combat. The passage also utilizes **Divine Anthropomorphism** by describing God as "sending" the hornet, attributing a human-like action of dispatching to God to emphasize His active and intentional intervention in human affairs. The imagery of a stinging, harassing swarm, whether literal or symbolic, powerfully evokes a sense of relentless, pervasive irritation and fear, effectively demoralizing and scattering the enemy forces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 7:20 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign power and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. It reveals a God who actively intervenes in history, not merely as an observer but as the primary agent of salvation for His people and judgment upon the wicked. The "hornet" symbolizes God's ability to use unexpected, often non-military, and even seemingly insignificant means to accomplish His grand purposes, demonstrating that ultimate victory belongs solely to Him, not to human strength or strategy. This concept is foundational to understanding spiritual warfare: while believers are called to participate, the ultimate power and victory come from God. It also underscores God's justice in judging the profound wickedness of the Canaanite nations, while simultaneously showcasing His grace and meticulous provision for His chosen people, Israel, in preparing the land for their inheritance.

* [Exodus 23:28](/exodus/23-28 "Exodus 23:28 - The Promise of the Hornet in Exodus")
* [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - Joshua's Testimony of the Hornet")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 7:20 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers navigating the complexities of life today. It powerfully reminds us that just as God actively fought for ancient Israel, He continues to be deeply involved in the lives of His people, empowering them in spiritual battles and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. We are not left to our own strength when facing overwhelming odds, persistent temptations, or spiritual adversaries. The "hornet" serves as a potent metaphor for God's unexpected, often unseen, and divinely disruptive interventions, which can bring about breakthroughs in our lives, disorient our spiritual enemies, or remove hindrances to His will. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's divine strategy and timing, recognizing that His methods may not always align with our expectations or human logic, but they are always supremely effective and perfectly aligned with His purposes. It challenges us to surrender our battles to Him, relying on His supernatural aid to overcome those things that hinder our spiritual progress or occupy areas of our lives where God desires full dominion, reminding us that true victory is found in His power, not ours.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our natural tendency to rely on human strength, conventional methods, or visible resources when confronting significant challenges in our lives or ministries?**
* **In what "hidden places"—unseen struggles, internal strongholds, or subtle influences—might God be working through unexpected means to bring about freedom, transformation, or victory in my life?**
* **What "hornets"—unexpected divine interventions, providential circumstances, or sudden shifts in spiritual atmosphere—have I witnessed or prayed for in my personal journey or within the life of my community?**

### FAQ

**Was the "hornet" in Deuteronomy 7:20 a literal insect or a metaphor?**

Answer: The interpretation of the "hornet" (Hebrew: _tsirʻâh'_) in [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - The Promise of the Hornet") is a subject of scholarly debate, with compelling arguments supporting both literal and metaphorical meanings. A literal interpretation suggests God sent actual swarms of stinging insects to harass, disorient, and drive out the Canaanites, thereby demonstrating His absolute power over creation and His ability to use any means to achieve His will. However, the metaphorical interpretation, which views the "hornet" as a symbol for divine panic, terror, or a supernatural plague, is strongly supported by the broader biblical context and other related passages. [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - God Sent the Hornet") explicitly states, "And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow." This verse strongly suggests a non-military, divinely orchestrated phenomenon that instilled overwhelming fear and disunity, causing the enemies to flee without direct combat from Israel. While God certainly could employ literal insects, the profound theological emphasis lies on God's supernatural intervention that causes psychological terror and disarray among His enemies, ensuring victory without Israel's conventional military might.

**Why did God choose to use such a method as the "hornet" to dispossess the nations?**

Answer: God chose this distinctive method for several profound theological and practical reasons. Firstly, it served to powerfully demonstrate His absolute **sovereignty and power** over all creation, showcasing that He could achieve victory through any means, even seemingly insignificant ones, thereby highlighting His unique divine nature compared to the impotent pagan gods of the Canaanites. Secondly, it was strategically intended to **instill terror and panic** among the enemies, demoralizing them and rendering their resistance futile. This "divine terror" often preceded Israel's arrival, effectively softening the opposition. Thirdly, it was crucial lesson for Israel: that the conquest of Canaan was **God's battle, not theirs alone**. Their victory was not a result of their superior military strength or strategy, but solely by God's miraculous intervention, preventing them from boasting in their own might, as emphasized in [Deuteronomy 9:4](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4 - Not for Your Righteousness"). Finally, the "hornet" could facilitate a **gradual conquest**, ensuring the land did not become desolate and overrun by wild beasts before Israel could fully occupy it, as explained in [Deuteronomy 7:22](/deuteronomy/7-22 "Deuteronomy 7:22 - Gradual Conquest").

**Does God still send "hornets" today, or is this concept only applicable to ancient Israel?**

Answer: While God does not typically send literal swarms of hornets to fight our battles today, the theological principle behind the "hornet" in [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - The Promise of the Hornet") remains profoundly relevant for believers. God continues to use **unexpected, providential, and often unseen means** to accomplish His purposes and fight for His people. These "hornets" in a contemporary sense can manifest as sudden shifts in circumstances, internal strife among adversaries, the exposure of hidden evils, or even a deep, unsettling conviction that leads to repentance or surrender. In the spiritual realm, God's Spirit often works to dismantle strongholds and bring conviction, causing spiritual enemies or sinful patterns to "flee" from our lives. The core message is that God is actively involved in the lives of His children, and He possesses limitless ways to intervene, overcome obstacles, and secure victory, often through means we do not anticipate or understand, powerfully reminding us that the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "hornet" in [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - The Promise of the Hornet"), understood as a divine agent of terror and dispossession, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God sent the hornet to clear the way for Israel's inheritance of the physical land, so too did God send His Son to disarm and dispossess the spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—that held humanity captive. Christ is the ultimate "hornet" against the powers of darkness. Through His sacrificial life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection, Jesus utterly conquered the spiritual forces that once dominated humanity, triumphing over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He came specifically to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Devil's Works")) and to proclaim freedom for the captives ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Proclaims Freedom to the Captives")). The terror and disarray the hornet brought to the Canaanites powerfully foreshadow the spiritual panic that gripped the demonic realm at Christ's advent and His decisive victory. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ to dwell within believers, acts as a "hornet" within the believer's life, convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Spirit Convicts")), and empowering believers to put to death the deeds of the body ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Spirit Puts to Death Deeds of the Body")), thereby driving out the remnants of sin, rebellion, and spiritual strongholds that seek to hide within. Ultimately, Christ's glorious return will be the final and complete "hornet" that utterly destroys all remaining enemies and fully establishes His eternal kingdom, where every foe will be put under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 24:12

And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, [even] the two kings of the Amorites; [but] not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

Exodus 23:28

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

Exodus 23:30

By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.