Exodus 23:28

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

And I will send {H7971} hornets {H6880} before {H6440} thee, which shall drive out {H1644} the Hivite {H2340}, the Canaanite {H3669}, and the Hittite {H2850}, from before {H6440} thee.

I will send hornets ahead of you to drive out the Hivi, Kena'ani and Hitti from before you.

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

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

Commentary

Exodus 23:28 reveals God's promise of supernatural assistance to the Israelites as they prepare to enter and conquer the land of Canaan. This verse assures them that divine intervention, symbolized by "hornets," will precede their arrival, weakening and driving out the formidable native inhabitants.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20-23), a collection of laws and promises delivered by God through Moses at Mount Sinai. Specifically, it falls within a section (Exodus 23:20-33) where God outlines the blessings of obedience and the divine aid He will provide for Israel's successful conquest of the Promised Land. God promises to send His angel before them (Exodus 23:20) and gradually dispossess the inhabitants, emphasizing that their victory would not solely be by military might but by divine power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The primary theme is God's active and direct involvement in securing the land for Israel. He is not a passive observer but an active participant in their struggles and victories.
  • Supernatural Aid: The "hornets" symbolize an unusual, non-military means of assistance. This highlights that God can use unexpected methods to achieve His purposes, often instilling fear or panic in the enemy.
  • Conquest of Canaan: This promise is integral to the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, to give his descendants the land. The Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite are prominent among the nations God intended to dispossess.
  • Trust in God's Power: The verse encourages Israel to rely on God's power rather than their own strength when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hornets" is แนฃirโ€˜ah (ืฆึดืจึฐืขึธื”). While it literally refers to the stinging insect, its interpretation in this context is debated. Some commentators understand it as a literal plague of hornets, while others view it metaphorically as a divine panic, terror, or demoralizing influence that God would send upon the enemy nations, causing them to flee or be weakened. The Septuagint (Greek translation) renders it as "wasps." Regardless of its precise nature, the effect is clear: a divinely orchestrated force that would drive out the inhabitants, as also mentioned in Joshua 24:12.

Practical Application

Exodus 23:28 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in our lives and can clear obstacles in ways we least expect. When faced with challenges that seem overwhelming, this verse encourages us to trust in God's supernatural provision and power. Just as He prepared the way for Israel, He can make a way for us, sometimes by instilling fear in our adversaries or by simply removing hindrances through unseen means. Our part is to remain obedient and faithful to His commands, confident that He will fight our battles.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:20 (6 votes)

    Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

  • Joshua 24:11 (4 votes)

    And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

  • Joshua 24:12 (4 votes)

    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.