Exodus 23:23

KJV

For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

KJV (with Strong's)

For mine Angel {H4397} shall go {H3212} before {H6440} thee, and bring {H935} thee in unto the Amorites {H567}, and the Hittites {H2850}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Canaanites {H3669}, the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}: and I will cut them off {H3582}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When my angel goes ahead of you and brings you to the Emori, Hitti, P'rizi, Kena'ani, Hivi and Y'vusi, I will make an end of them.

Berean Standard Bible

For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.

American Standard Version

For mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: and I will cut them off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:23 articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, assuring them of divine leadership and decisive victory in their conquest of the Promised Land. It reveals God's active involvement through "mine Angel" who will precede them, guiding them into the territories of the formidable Canaanite nations, and promises God's own sovereign power to "cut them off," thereby ensuring Israel's inheritance and the fulfillment of His ancient promises to Abraham.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), a detailed collection of divine laws and promises delivered to Moses immediately after the Ten Commandments. Specifically, it forms part of a crucial section (Exodus 23:20-33) that outlines God's assurances of divine guidance, protection, and successful conquest, all contingent upon Israel's faithful obedience. The preceding verses introduce the promise of God sending an Angel to guard and lead them on their journey to the Promised Land, as seen in [Exodus 23:20](/exodus/23-20 "Exodus 23:20 - God's Promise of an Angel"). Following [Exodus 23:23](/exodus/23-23 "Exodus 23:23 - God's Angel and the Dispossession of Nations"), the narrative shifts to stern warnings against making covenants with the land's inhabitants or adopting their idolatrous practices, emphasizing the necessity of their complete expulsion, as detailed in [Exodus 23:32-33](/exodus/23-32 "Exodus 23:32-33 - Warning Against Covenants with Inhabitants"). Thus, this verse serves as a concrete assurance of the divine means and certain outcome of God's promised assistance in the daunting task of dispossessing the Canaanites.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this juncture in their history, the Israelites are encamped at Mount Sinai, having recently experienced miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and received the foundational Mosaic Law. They are a nascent nation, poised to undertake the formidable task of entering and possessing the land of Canaan, a region already inhabited by established, powerful city-states and diverse peoples. The explicit enumeration of six distinct nations—the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites—underscores the immense challenge Israel faced. In the ancient Near East, it was common for national deities to be depicted as leading their people in battle and securing victory. Here, God's explicit promise to send His "Angel" and personally "cut them off" would have provided profound reassurance to a people facing overwhelming odds, reinforcing their absolute dependence on divine power rather than their own military prowess. This promise directly connects to the foundational covenant God made with Abraham, promising his descendants the very land they were about to enter, as recorded in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 23:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **Divine Faithfulness to Covenant Promises**, particularly the Abrahamic covenant regarding the land of Canaan. God's promise to send His Angel and dispossess the inhabitants demonstrates His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His word. Another key theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Active Intervention**, highlighting that God is not a distant deity but one who actively intervenes in human history to accomplish His purposes. The "Angel" signifies God's immanent presence and active leadership, assuring Israel that their success would be a divine work. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment against Wickedness**, as the "cutting off" of these nations is presented as a necessary act of judgment against their pervasive idolatry and corrupt practices, ensuring the establishment of a holy nation set apart for God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** From an unused root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," this term signifies "a messenger." While it can refer to human envoys, in this context, particularly with the possessive "mine Angel" and the divine actions attributed to him (leading, bringing in, and working in conjunction with God's promise to "cut them off"), it denotes a unique divine emissary. This "Angel of the Lord" is often understood by biblical scholars as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ, embodying God's own presence, authority, and acting as the direct agent of divine will and salvation for Israel.
* **go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to walk" (literally or figuratively), or causatively, "to carry." In this verse, it emphasizes the active and progressive movement of God's divine representative. The Angel will *go before* Israel, signifying divine leadership, trailblazing, and the assurance that God's presence will precede and clear the path for His people as they advance into the Promised Land. This is not a passive presence but an active, guiding force.
* **cut them off (Hebrew, _kâchad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to secrete, by act or word," and intensively, "to destroy." In this context, it signifies a decisive, complete, and irreversible removal or extermination. This is not merely a military defeat but a divine act of disinheritance and dispossession, ensuring that these nations would be entirely removed from the land. This action was crucial not only for Israel to inherit the land but also to prevent the pervasive idolatry and corrupt practices of the Canaanites from contaminating Israel's worship and moral purity, as later warnings in the Law make clear.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For mine Angel shall go before thee":** This opening clause establishes the divine initiative and leadership in Israel's impending conquest. God is not merely issuing a command but actively sending His personal, powerful representative, His "Angel," to precede Israel. This signifies God's direct, active, and personal involvement, ensuring both infallible guidance and unwavering protection for His people as they venture into the formidable Promised Land. It sets the tone for a divinely orchestrated victory.
* **"and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites":** This segment specifies the formidable task ahead and enumerates the primary adversaries Israel would encounter. The listing of these six distinct peoples inhabiting Canaan underscores the magnitude of the challenge, yet simultaneously reinforces the specificity and certainty of God's promise to deliver them into Israel's hands. This is a clear declaration of the land's inhabitants whom God intends to dispossess, highlighting the comprehensive nature of His plan.
* **"and I will cut them off":** This declarative statement emphasizes God's sovereign power and ultimate responsibility for the success of the conquest. It highlights that the victory would not be achieved by Israel's military might or strategic prowess, but by God's direct intervention and decisive action. This phrase signifies a complete and irreversible disinheritance and removal of these nations from the land, clearing the way for Israel's settlement and preventing the spread of their idolatrous and immoral practices among His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore divine authority. The verse prominently features **Divine Fiat**, where God's declarative statements ("mine Angel shall go before thee," "I will cut them off") convey His absolute authority and the certainty of His will being accomplished. This emphasizes that the outcome is not in doubt, as it is decreed by the Almighty. The **Enumeration** of the six Canaanite nations (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites) serves to emphasize the sheer scale and formidable nature of the challenge Israel faced, and conversely, the comprehensive and thorough nature of God's promised victory and dispossession. Furthermore, the **Personification** of God's "Angel" as an active agent who "shall go before thee" and "bring thee in" highlights the tangible and personal nature of divine guidance and intervention, making God's presence feel immediate, accessible, and powerfully active in the lives of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:23 powerfully articulates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic covenant concerning the land of Canaan. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty in history, demonstrating that God actively intervenes to fulfill His purposes for His chosen people. The "Angel" signifies God's immanent presence and active leadership, assuring Israel that their success in conquering the land would be a divine work, not merely a human endeavor. This divine assistance also implies a divine judgment against the wickedness of the dispossessed nations, aligning with God's justice and His intention to establish a holy nation free from corrupting influences. This passage sets a precedent for God's consistent pattern of leading His people into their inheritance while removing obstacles.
* [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham and the Land Promise")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy Nations")
* [Joshua 3:10](/joshua/3-10 "Joshua 3:10 - God Driving Out the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 23:23 serves as a profound reminder that God is not a distant deity but an active, involved God who goes before His people, preparing the way and ensuring victory. For believers today, this truth translates into a deep confidence that God's presence and power are available to guide us through life's challenges, whether they are spiritual battles against sin and temptation, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our personal journeys. Just as Israel faced formidable "giants" in the land, we too encounter "enemies"—spiritual strongholds, destructive habits, worldly influences, or even internal fears—that seek to hinder our walk with God and prevent us from entering into the fullness of His promises. This verse encourages us to trust implicitly in God's leadership, knowing that He has promised to "cut off" whatever stands in the way of His purposes for us, enabling us to inherit the spiritual blessings and fulfill the callings He has placed upon our lives. Our ultimate victory is assured not by our own strength or ingenuity, but by His sovereign intervention and unfailing presence, which goes before us to clear the path.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles do you currently face that require God's divine intervention and active leadership?**
* **How does the promise of God's "Angel" (or Christ's presence) going before you encourage your faith and reliance on Him in your daily life and spiritual battles?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need God to "cut off" influences, habits, or strongholds that hinder your spiritual growth, obedience, or ability to fully embrace His will?**

### FAQ
**Who is "mine Angel" in this verse, and what is his significance?**

Answer: While "angel" (מַלְאָךְ, _mălʼâk'_) literally means "messenger" and can refer to human or divine agents, in Exodus 23:23, "mine Angel" is widely understood by scholars to refer to a special divine manifestation. This figure, often identified as the "Angel of the Lord" in other Old Testament passages, is frequently seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The significance lies in the fact that this Angel acts with the full authority and power of God Himself, embodying God's own presence and direct involvement in Israel's affairs. He is not merely a created being but is God's personal agent, leading, protecting, and ensuring the fulfillment of God's promises, signifying God's intimate and active leadership for His people.

**Why did God command the "cutting off" of these nations instead of allowing them to coexist with Israel?**

Answer: The command to "cut off" these nations was multifaceted and integral to God's covenant plan. Firstly, it was a direct fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan as an inheritance, as first articulated in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Secondly, it served as a divine judgment against the extreme wickedness and moral depravity of these Canaanite peoples, whose practices included widespread idolatry, sexual immorality, and even child sacrifice, which had filled the land with abominations, as detailed in [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Abominations of the Land"). Finally, and crucially, it was a protective measure for Israel. God intended Israel to be a holy nation, set apart for His worship. Allowing these nations to remain would inevitably lead to Israel adopting their pagan religious practices and moral corruption, thereby compromising their unique relationship with God, as explicitly warned in the verses immediately following, such as [Exodus 23:32-33](/exodus/23-32 "Exodus 23:32-33 - Warning Against Covenants with Inhabitants").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:23 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Angel" who goes before Israel, leading them into their inheritance and cutting off their enemies, powerfully prefigures Christ as the divine Leader and Conqueror of His people. Just as the Angel was God's direct presence and agent of salvation for ancient Israel, so Jesus is the very embodiment of God's presence among us, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") who dwells among us. He goes before His new covenant people, the Church, not to lead them into a physical land, but into their spiritual inheritance in Him, which includes every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, as affirmed in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ has decisively "cut off" our ultimate spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the power of the devil, triumphing over them publicly and disarming the rulers and authorities, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). He is the true Joshua, leading us into the promised rest and victory, ensuring that all who are united with Him will overcome the world and inherit eternal life, not by their own might, but by His sovereign power and unfailing presence, guaranteeing our access to the true spiritual rest that remains for the people of God, as expounded in [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "The True Rest in Christ").

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

Exodus 23:20

¶ Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Isaiah 5:13

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honourable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Genesis 15:19

The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,

Genesis 15:21

And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Genesis 34:2

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

Exodus 32:2

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me.

Exodus 3:17

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.