Deuteronomy 7:23

KJV

But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall deliver {H5414} them unto thee {H6440}, and shall destroy {H1949} them with a mighty {H1419} destruction {H4103}, until they be destroyed {H8045}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, ADONAI your God will give them over to you, sending one disaster after another upon them until they have been destroyed.

Berean Standard Bible

But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.

American Standard Version

But Jehovah thy God will deliver them up before thee, and will discomfit them with a great discomfiture, until they be destroyed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 7:23 delivers a profound assurance to the Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, declaring that their success in conquering the formidable Canaanite nations will not stem from their own strength or military prowess, but entirely from the direct, powerful, and complete intervention of "the LORD thy God." This verse emphatically underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, promising a decisive and total victory over their adversaries, orchestrated by divine power until their enemies are utterly vanquished, thereby securing Israel's inheritance and preserving their spiritual purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 7:23 is strategically placed within Moses's final series of addresses to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Chapter 7 specifically delineates God's commands and promises concerning the nations Israel would encounter and dispossess. Following stringent directives to utterly destroy these nations and to make no covenants or intermarriages with them, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 7:2-3](/deuteronomy/7-2-3 "Deuteronomy 7:2-3 - God's Command to Utterly Destroy and Not Intermarry"), the text provides the theological rationale for such severe measures: to prevent Israel from succumbing to idolatry and spiritual defilement due to the abhorrent practices of these peoples, as warned in [Deuteronomy 7:4](/deuteronomy/7-4 "Deuteronomy 7:4 - The Danger of Idolatry"). Verses 22-23 specifically address the *method* and *certainty* of God's assistance in driving out these powerful enemies, emphasizing that their success would come from divine power, not their own strength or numerical superiority, thereby reinforcing the overarching theme of God's sovereign control over the entire conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this pivotal juncture in their history, the Israelites were a nomadic people, recently liberated from centuries of slavery in Egypt, about to confront established, fortified city-states and experienced armies in Canaan. The Canaanite nations, including the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, listed in [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - The Nations to Be Dispossessed"), were numerous and militarily superior. Culturally, these peoples were deeply entrenched in polytheism, fertility cults, and abhorrent practices such as child sacrifice, which were anathema to the holiness of Yahweh. The command for *herem* (devotion to destruction) was a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment against these nations for their profound wickedness, a consequence of their iniquity reaching its full measure, as well as a protective measure to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and distinct identity as God's chosen people. The geographical setting, the fertile crescent, was strategically important, and its conquest was a direct fulfillment of ancient promises made to the patriarchs.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. First, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**, emphatically stating that it is "the LORD thy God" who will deliver and destroy, underscoring that the battle belongs to Him, not to Israel, a principle echoed in [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You"). This assurance was vital for Israel, promising that their victory over formidable foes would be a supernatural act. Second, the repetition of "destroy" and the phrase "until they be destroyed" conveys the **Certainty and Totality of Victory**, instilling profound confidence that God would bring their formidable task to a decisive and conclusive end. Third, this promise of divine assistance is a direct outflow of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant** with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, specifically His promise to give their descendants the land of Canaan, as seen in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham"). God's character is one of unwavering faithfulness to His word, ensuring His promises are fulfilled. Finally, the broader context of the verse emphasizes **Holiness and Separation**, as God's actions are designed to protect Israel from the corrupting influence of idolatry, ensuring their spiritual purity as His treasured possession, a truth articulated in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, a Holy People to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This primitive root (H5414), frequently translated "to give," here carries the nuanced meaning of "to hand over," "to place into one's power," or "to deliver up." When God is the subject, as in this verse, it signifies His sovereign act of putting the enemies at Israel's disposal. It implies a divine initiative and a transfer of control, emphasizing that Israel's success is a gift from God, a result of His powerful intervention rather than their own might.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shâmad'_):** Used three times in this single verse (H8045), this verb signifies a complete wiping out, annihilation, or eradication. Its repetition serves to intensify the meaning, underscoring the absolute and final nature of the defeat God would bring upon Israel's adversaries. It leaves no doubt about the ultimate outcome: a total cessation of the enemy's power and presence, ensuring their inability to pose a future threat.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, _mᵉhûwmâh'_):** This noun (H4103), often translated as "confusion," "uproar," or "discomfiture," forms part of the phrase "mighty destruction" (with H1419, _gâdôwl_, "great" or "mighty"). It refers to a divinely inflicted panic, disarray, or rout that God would cause among the enemies. This is not merely physical destruction but a psychological and strategic collapse, a supernatural disarray that would lead to their utter downfall, making them vulnerable and incapable of effective resistance against Israel's advance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the primary and active agent in the conquest. The possessive "thy God" highlights the intimate covenant relationship, reminding Israel of Yahweh's personal commitment to them. The enemies are not merely defeated by Israel's strength but are "delivered," implying they are supernaturally handed over into Israel's power, signifying God's sovereign control over the outcome of the battles. This emphasizes divine initiative and provision.
* **"and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction":** This clause specifies God's method of dealing with the enemies. The "mighty destruction" (Hebrew: _mᵉhûwmâh gâdôwl_) suggests a divinely orchestrated "great confusion" or "panic" that would disorient, demoralize, and weaken the enemy forces. This indicates that God's intervention would not be limited to conventional warfare but would involve supernatural elements that cause internal chaos and disarray, making their defeat inevitable and demonstrating His overwhelming power.
* **"until they be destroyed":** The concluding phrase, employing the same verb "destroy" (_shâmad_) used earlier, serves as an emphatic statement of the totality and finality of the victory. It implies an ongoing process initiated and sustained by God until the complete and utter eradication of the enemy's power and presence is achieved. This repetition leaves no ambiguity about the decisive and conclusive nature of God's work, ensuring the fulfillment of His promise and the security of Israel's inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 7:23 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine assurance and total victory. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly of the verb "destroy" (_shâmad_). Its triple occurrence ("shall destroy them... until they be destroyed") serves as an intensifier, emphasizing the absolute and complete nature of the victory God promises. This repetition creates a sense of certainty and finality, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome. **Hyperbole** is also present in the phrase "mighty destruction" and the repeated "until they be destroyed," conveying an absolute and complete annihilation of the enemies' power and presence, perhaps beyond literal physical extermination in every single instance, but certainly of their ability to pose a threat to Israel's occupation and spiritual purity. The phrase "the LORD thy God" utilizes **Covenant Language**, reinforcing the special, intimate relationship between Yahweh and Israel, reminding them that these promises are rooted in their unique bond and God's faithfulness to His chosen people. Furthermore, there is an implied **Divine Agency**, where the actions are solely attributed to God, making Him the active agent and source of Israel's success. The passive construction "until they be destroyed" suggests God's ongoing, relentless action until His purpose is fully accomplished.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 7:23 is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His active, decisive involvement in the affairs of His people. It underscores that the conquest of Canaan was not merely a military campaign but a divinely ordained act of judgment against the profound wickedness of the Canaanite nations and a direct fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham. The "mighty destruction" signifies God's supernatural power to overcome any obstacle, ensuring His purposes are realized regardless of human limitations. For Israel, this meant understanding that their strength came from God alone, fostering humility, dependence, and obedience. Theologically, it teaches that God is not a distant, passive deity but one who actively intervenes on behalf of His chosen people, fighting their battles and ensuring their ultimate victory against forces that oppose His will and threaten their spiritual integrity. This divine assistance was crucial not just for the physical possession of the land, but for maintaining Israel's distinct identity as a holy nation set apart for God's purposes.

* [Joshua 23:9-10](/joshua/23-9-10 "Joshua 23:9-10 - God Fought for Israel")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, for I Am With You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 7:23 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today, demonstrating God's enduring character and His methods of working in the lives of His people. Just as God fought for Israel against overwhelming odds, He remains the same powerful and faithful God who fights our battles, whether they are against spiritual forces of darkness, overwhelming life challenges, or persistent personal struggles and sinful habits. We are called to place our trust not in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but in His "mighty destruction" of every obstacle that stands in the way of His purposes for us. This verse reminds us that God is committed to completing what He starts in our lives and in the world, assuring us that His ultimate purposes will prevail. Furthermore, the underlying principle of holiness and radical separation from defiling influences remains vitally relevant. Just as Israel was commanded to remove the spiritual "idols" from their midst, believers are called to identify and eradicate practices, attitudes, or relationships that lead away from God and into spiritual compromise, striving for a life of purity and devotion that reflects His holy character. Our confidence rests in His power to deliver us from the grip of sin and the schemes of the enemy, bringing us into the fullness of the spiritual "promised land" He has prepared for us in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or overwhelming challenges in your life are you tempted to face in your own strength, rather than relying on God's "mighty destruction"?**
* **How does the certainty of God's complete victory over Israel's enemies encourage your faith in His ability to overcome spiritual adversaries in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be compromising with "idolatrous" influences, and how can you commit to a more radical separation for God's holiness?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promote violence or genocide for believers today?**

Answer: No, this verse does not promote violence or genocide for believers today. The command to "destroy them with a mighty destruction" was a specific, unique, and limited divine mandate given to ancient Israel for a particular historical and theological purpose. This was an act of divine judgment against the profoundly wicked Canaanite nations, whose practices (including child sacrifice and widespread immorality) had filled up the measure of their iniquity, as detailed in [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24-25 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Abominations of the Nations"). It was also a necessary measure to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and prevent them from adopting the idolatrous practices of the surrounding cultures, which would have compromised their role as the vehicle for God's redemptive plan. This *herem* (devotion to destruction) was not a general principle for all times or peoples, nor is it applicable to Christian ethics. Instead, it highlights God's absolute sovereignty over nations, His justice, and His commitment to holiness.

**How does "mighty destruction" (Hebrew: _mᵉhûwmâh gâdôwl'_) work in a practical sense beyond physical warfare?**

Answer: The "mighty destruction" or "great confusion" (Hebrew: _mᵉhûwmâh gâdôwl'_) implies more than just conventional military defeat. It refers to a divinely orchestrated discomfiture, panic, or rout that God inflicts upon the enemies. Practically, this could manifest in various ways: causing internal strife and division among the enemy forces, leading to self-destruction; instilling supernatural fear and demoralization that weakens their will to fight; or even employing natural phenomena like hailstones, as seen in [Joshua 10:11](/joshua/10-11 "Joshua 10:11 - The Lord Fought for Israel at Gibeon"), or swarms of insects, as promised in [Exodus 23:28](/exodus/23-28 "Exodus 23:28 - God Will Drive Out the Hivites"), to create chaos and vulnerability. The emphasis is on God's supernatural power to disarm and defeat the enemy, often without Israel needing to exert overwhelming physical force, thus demonstrating that the victory is truly His.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 7:23, with its powerful promise of divine deliverance and "mighty destruction" of enemies, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament conquest was a physical battle for a physical land, it served as a vivid type and shadow of the spiritual warfare and decisive victory accomplished by Christ. Jesus is the true and ultimate warrior, not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness, the dominion of sin, and the power of death. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Christ disarmed and triumphed over the principalities and powers, leading them in a triumphal procession, as declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). His victory is absolute and decisive, a "mighty destruction" of the spiritual enemies that held humanity captive, ensuring that death, the last enemy, will ultimately be destroyed, a truth affirmed in [1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet"). Believers, through faith in Christ, are delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into His glorious kingdom, as profoundly stated in [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness"), thereby participating in His victory and becoming "more than conquerors" through Him who loved us, as celebrated in [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors"). The call for Israel's holiness and separation in Deuteronomy is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who makes us holy and blameless before God through His perfect sacrifice, as revealed in [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Him Before the Foundation of the World"), enabling us to live lives separated unto God, free from the defiling power and grip of sin.

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

Joel 1:15

Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD [is] at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

2 Thessalonians 1:9

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Deuteronomy 8:20

As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 2:15

For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

Isaiah 13:6

¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Deuteronomy 9:3

Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God [is] he which goeth over before thee; [as] a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

Jeremiah 17:18

Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.