Exodus 23:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:28 presents a profound divine assurance to the Israelites, promising supernatural intervention in their conquest of Canaan. God pledges to send "hornets" before them, a mysterious yet potent force, to dispossess the formidable native inhabitants—specifically the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites—from their land. This promise underscores God's active involvement in fulfilling His covenant, ensuring that the path to Israel's inheritance of the Promised Land would be cleared not solely by human might, but by a divinely orchestrated, pre-emptive act of terror or physical removal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 23:28 is intricately woven into the fabric of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20-23), a foundational legal and ethical framework established by God at Mount Sinai. More precisely, it resides within a concluding section (Exodus 23:20-33) that outlines the blessings contingent upon Israel's obedience and the divine assistance God pledges for their successful entry into and conquest of Canaan. This segment commences with God's promise to send His angel to guide and protect them, bringing them into the promised territory, as seen in [Exodus 23:20](/exodus/23-20 "Exodus 23:20 - God's Angel to Lead Israel"). This immediately establishes the theme of divine partnership in their endeavors. The verses preceding the "hornets" promise detail strict prohibitions against covenanting with the land's inhabitants and commands to utterly destroy their idols, thereby setting the stage for the necessary divine aid to accomplish such a daunting task. The "hornets" are presented as one of several divine strategies, alongside gradual dispossession to prevent the land from becoming desolate and wild beasts from multiplying, as described in [Exodus 23:29-30](/exodus/23-29-30 "Exodus 23:29-30 - Gradual Dispossession of the Land"), and the expansion of their territorial boundaries. This strategic, multi-faceted divine approach highlights God's meticulous planning for Israel's success and well-being.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Exodus 23:28 is the pivotal period following the momentous Exodus from Egyptian bondage and the solemn covenant ratification at Mount Sinai. The Israelites, a nascent nation, stood on the precipice of entering Canaan, a region already densely populated by a mosaic of powerful city-states and tribal confederations. The Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites, explicitly named in this verse, represented significant military, political, and cultural challenges. The Canaanites, in particular, were notorious for their fortified urban centers and deeply entrenched polytheistic religious systems, notably the worship of Baal and Asherah, which often involved abhorrent practices like child sacrifice and cultic prostitution. While the "Hittites" here likely refer to specific groups residing within Canaan rather than the vast Hittite Empire of Anatolia, their inclusion still underscores the formidable nature of the indigenous population. In this daunting context, the promise of extraordinary divine intervention, whether through literal swarms of insects or a metaphorical wave of terror, was indispensable for instilling confidence and courage in a people militarily inexperienced and facing well-established adversaries. Such a promise would have been understood as irrefutable evidence of Yahweh's unparalleled power and His unwavering faithfulness to the ancient covenant promises of land made to their patriarch Abraham, as recorded in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 23:28 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His ability to employ any means, conventional or unconventional, to achieve His purposes. The "hornets" serve as a vivid illustration of God's power extending beyond human military might. Secondly, the verse highlights **Covenant Faithfulness and Divine Provision**. God, true to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, actively intervenes to secure the land for His covenant people. This is a direct fulfillment of His commitment to provide for and protect Israel, ensuring their inheritance of the land flowing with milk and honey, as promised in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"). Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **Holy War and Divine Dispossession**. The conquest of Canaan is portrayed not merely as a human military campaign, but as a divinely sanctioned act of judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations, which had filled the land with their abominations, as hinted at in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). God Himself fights for Israel, clearing the way for their settlement. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Reliance on God, Not Self-Reliance**. By promising supernatural aid, God teaches Israel that their success would not be a result of their own strength or numbers, but entirely dependent on His active presence and intervention, a lesson continually emphasized throughout their wilderness journey and subsequent conquest, as later reflected in [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Your God Goes With You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Send (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁלַח (_shâlach_) is a primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out," encompassing a wide variety of applications such as appointing, bringing forth, casting out, or letting go. In this context, it emphasizes God's deliberate, active, and purposeful initiation of the "hornets." It is not a passive allowance but a direct, volitional act of dispatching, highlighting God's sovereign agency in orchestrating events for His people. This verb underscores that the "hornets" are not a random occurrence but a divinely commissioned instrument.
* **Hornets (Hebrew, _tsirʻâh'_):** The Hebrew noun צִרְעָה (_tsirʻâh_) literally denotes a "wasp (as stinging)" or "hornet." Its interpretation in this biblical context has been a subject of scholarly discussion. Some exegetes understand it as a literal plague of stinging insects, supernaturally deployed by God to harass, disorient, and drive out the enemy, similar to the plagues in Egypt. Others interpret _tsirʻâh_ metaphorically, representing a divinely induced panic, terror, or demoralizing influence that would afflict the enemy nations, causing them to lose courage, flee, or become internally weakened. Regardless of whether the "hornets" were literal insects or a metaphorical representation of dread, the essential point remains: it signifies a unique, non-military, divinely orchestrated force designed to clear the path for Israel.
* **Drive out (Hebrew, _gârash'_):** The Hebrew verb גָּרַשׁ (_gârash_) is a primitive root meaning "to drive out from a possession," often implying expatriation or expulsion. It conveys a forceful, complete removal, suggesting that the inhabitants would be utterly dispossessed and expelled from their land. This verb signifies a decisive and comprehensive act of displacement, ensuring that the land would be cleared for Israel's inheritance. It is a strong term that implies a thorough and permanent eviction, leaving no doubt about the effectiveness of God's intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will send hornets before thee":** This opening declaration immediately establishes Yahweh as the primary actor and the source of the promised supernatural assistance. The emphatic "I" underscores God's personal commitment and direct involvement in Israel's conquest. The "sending of hornets" signifies a unique, unconventional form of divine intervention, demonstrating God's capacity to work through means beyond human comprehension or military might. The phrase "before thee" is crucial, indicating that this divine action would precede Israel's physical advance, preparing the way and weakening the enemy even before direct confrontation.
* **"which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite":** This clause specifies the precise purpose and targets of God's intervention. The "hornets" are not sent for mere annoyance but for the strategic objective of dispossessing the land's inhabitants. The explicit naming of the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites serves as representative examples of the formidable nations occupying the Promised Land, highlighting the significant challenge Israel faced and the absolute necessity of divine aid for their removal. The verb "drive out" (גָּרַשׁ, _garash_) signifies a forceful and complete expulsion, ensuring their removal from the territory.
* **"from before thee":** This concluding phrase powerfully reinforces the idea that the removal of these nations is directly for Israel's benefit, to clear the land for their occupation and inheritance. It emphasizes that the territory would be made ready for Israel's settlement, fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land. The repetition of "before thee" from the first clause creates a powerful rhetorical frame, underscoring that God's action is entirely in anticipation of and for the sake of Israel's advance, ensuring their path is unhindered by these specific adversaries, at least initially.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:28 is rich in literary technique, primarily employing **Symbolism** or **Metaphor** through the vivid image of "hornets." While a literal interpretation of insect swarms is plausible, the "hornets" often function as a powerful symbol of divine terror, panic, or demoralizing influence that God would supernaturally instill in Israel's enemies, causing them to flee or be weakened before battle. This serves as a potent example of **Metonymy**, where the instrument (hornets) stands for the effect (the fear, confusion, and ultimate flight of the adversaries). The verse also prominently displays **Divine Intervention**, portraying God as an active, sovereign participant in the historical affairs of His people, directly orchestrating events to fulfill His promises and secure their inheritance. The specific naming of the Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite employs **Enumeration**, providing concrete examples of the formidable adversaries Israel would face, thereby amplifying the power and effectiveness of God's promised aid and underscoring the comprehensive nature of His dispossession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:28 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. It reveals that God is not a distant, detached deity, but an active, intervening force in the lives of His people, capable of employing extraordinary and often unexpected means to achieve His redemptive purposes. The "hornets" symbolize God's ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles by instilling fear, confusion, or weakness in adversaries, thereby paving the way for His people's success without relying solely on their strength or conventional military might. This divine promise underscores the enduring theme of God's meticulous provision and the unwavering assurance that He fights for His people, even against the most formidable odds. It serves as a powerful call to radical reliance on God's omnipotent power rather than human strength, strategic ingenuity, or numerical superiority alone.

* [Deuteronomy 7:20](/deuteronomy/7-20 "Deuteronomy 7:20 - God Will Send the Hornet Before Them")
* [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - The Hornet Sent Before Israel")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword Did They Gain the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 23:28 offers profound and enduring encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God remains intimately and actively involved in our lives, capable of clearing obstacles and making a way in circumstances we least expect. Just as He prepared the way for ancient Israel against formidable and entrenched foes, He is equally capable of making a path for us when we face challenges that appear overwhelming, whether they are spiritual battles, relational conflicts, or seemingly impossible life circumstances. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's supernatural provision and power, recognizing that our true victories often come not by our own strength, cleverness, or exhaustive efforts, but by His unseen, sovereign hand. It challenges us to surrender our anxieties about seemingly insurmountable problems, knowing that God can, and often does, instill "hornets"—divine disquiet, confusion, or weakness—in the hearts of our adversaries, or simply remove hindrances through means entirely beyond our comprehension. Our vital role, therefore, is to remain obedient and faithful to His commands, confident that He will fight our battles and fulfill His purposes through us, leading us into the "promised land" of His blessings and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hornets" (unexpected divine interventions or aids) have you personally experienced in your life that cleared a path or overcame an obstacle you thought insurmountable?**
* **How does this verse challenge your natural tendency to rely on your own strength, wisdom, or conventional solutions when facing significant difficulties or spiritual opposition?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to actively trust God to "send hornets" and dispossess the "Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites" (i.e., the specific challenges, fears, or spiritual strongholds) that stand in your way?**

### FAQ
**What does "hornets" literally mean in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _ṣirʻah_ (צִרְעָה) literally refers to stinging insects like hornets or wasps. While some biblical scholars interpret this as a literal plague of insects sent by God to harass and disorient the enemy, causing them to flee, others understand it metaphorically as a divinely sent panic, terror, or demoralizing influence that would affect the enemy nations, causing them to lose courage or be weakened from within. Both interpretations point to a supernatural, non-military intervention by God. The effect, regardless of the precise nature of the "hornets," was to drive out the inhabitants before Israel's advance, a promise explicitly reiterated in [Joshua 24:12](/joshua/24-12 "Joshua 24:12 - God Sent the Hornet Before Israel").

**Why would God use "hornets" instead of direct military intervention by Israel?**

Answer: God's decision to use "hornets" highlights His absolute sovereignty and His ability to achieve His purposes through diverse and often unconventional means, demonstrating that He is not limited to human military strategies or strength. By sending "hornets," God emphasizes that the victory belongs to Him, not to Israel's might or numbers, thereby preventing Israel from boasting in their own power or taking credit for the conquest. This method also serves to instill awe and fear in the surrounding nations, showcasing Yahweh's unique power and reducing the need for direct, bloody conflict for Israel. It underscores the profound theological principle that God often works in ways that defy human expectation to reveal His glory and ensure His people recognize His hand in their deliverance and success, as seen throughout the biblical narrative where God fights for His people (e.g., [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - Do Not Fear Them, For the Lord Your God Will Fight For You")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:28, while rooted in ancient Israel's physical conquest of the Promised Land, finds its ultimate and most profound spiritual fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God promised to send "hornets" to clear the way for Israel's inheritance, Christ, as the supreme divine intervention, came to dispossess the spiritual enemies that held humanity in bondage. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus decisively conquered sin, death, and the devil—the true "Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites" of our souls. He triumphed over the cosmic powers and authorities, disarming them and leading them captive in His triumphal procession, as powerfully declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers and Authorities"). Christ's victory instills a divine "panic" and disarray among the spiritual forces of evil, thereby clearing the way for believers to inherit the true and eternal Promised Land—eternal life and an unbreakable fellowship with God in His heavenly kingdom, a rest that remains for the people of God, as expounded in [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - A Sabbath Rest for the People of God"). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent after His ascension, continues this work of spiritual dispossession, empowering believers to overcome spiritual adversaries and to live in the freedom and power of their spiritual inheritance, just as God's presence went before Israel in the wilderness [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper"). Thus, the promise of divine assistance in Exodus 23:28 beautifully foreshadows the comprehensive and ultimate deliverance accomplished by Christ, who enables us to enter into and possess our spiritual inheritance in Him.

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

Deuteronomy 7:20

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

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

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.