Deuteronomy 7

Deuteronomy 7:1

the LORD thy God = Jehovah thy Elohim.

nations. Ten altogether are mentioned by name, here seven only. Other lists name six. Girgashites generally omitted. In the days of Ezra (Deuteronomy 9:1) five were still in the land. In the Tel-el-Amarna Tablets eight are named.

Deuteronomy 7:2

destroy them = devote them to destruction. Hebrew. haram. Compare Exodus 23:24; Exodus 34:12-17, and see note on Deuteronomy 7:16.

Deuteronomy 7:4

Me. The very words of Jehovah introduced.

they. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “he”.

destroy = cut off. Hebrew. shamad.

Deuteronomy 7:5

But = But rather, or, Verily.

destroy = break down. Hebrew. nathaz.

break down = break into fragments. Hebrew. shabab.

burn = burn up.

graven images = sculptures.

Deuteronomy 7:6

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

chosen. This is the word emphasized by the Hebrew accent (paseh), “thee hath Jehovah chosen”. This is the basis of all else that is here stated.

special = peculiar. See note on Exodus 19:6, or “His people as a treasure”. Compare Deuteronomy 26:18. 1 Peter 2:9.

people. Hebrew Peoples.

earth = ground.

Deuteronomy 7:7

love = affection. Hebrew. hashak, a love which joins one to what is loved = to set one’s love upon.

Deuteronomy 7:8

loved. Hebrew. ’ahab, love in its highest sense, love that delights in its object.

bondmen. Compare Deuteronomy 5:6, and Exodus 20:2.

Deuteronomy 7:9

GOD = ’El, the great and mighty God. See App-4.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

commandments. Hebrew text written singular, but read plural.

Deuteronomy 7:10

destroy = cause them to perish. Hebrew. ’abad.

He. Some codices with one early printed edition, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read “and He”,

Deuteronomy 7:11

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6).

statutes, and the judgments. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1.

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26.

Deuteronomy 7:13

wine. Hebrew. tirosh. See App-27.

increase. Hebrew. sheger, only here, Deuteronomy 28:4, Deuteronomy 28:18, Deuteronomy 28:51, and Exodus 13:12 (“cometh of “) in the sense of multiplying by generation.

flocks. Only here, and Deuteronomy 28:4, Deuteronomy 28:18, Deuteronomy 28:51. These three words are peculiar to Deut.

Deuteronomy 7:14

barren. Compare Exodus 23:26.

Deuteronomy 7:15

diseases. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Sept and Vulgate, read “disease”. Compare Ex. Deuteronomy 23:22, Deuteronomy 23:25.

Deuteronomy 7:16

shalt consume. This command never fully obeyed. Compare Ezra 9:1, and see Exodus 23:24, Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12-17.

Deuteronomy 7:17

how . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).

Deuteronomy 7:19

temptations = trials, as manifested in Jehovah’s wonderful works.

Deuteronomy 7:20

hornet = a fierce kind of wasp. May be taken literally or by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the terror caused by it. Compare Exodus 23:27, and Deuteronomy 2:25. Or, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for Egypt; the hornet being the royal symbol. Occurs three times. Exodus 23:28 and Deuteronomy 7:20, prophecy, and once fulfilment, Joshua 24:12.

Deuteronomy 7:21

mighty = great.

terrible = to be feared.

Deuteronomy 7:22

before thee. Hebrew “before thy face”.

little by little: referring to all the nations of Canaan. (Exodus 23:29, Exodus 23:30). Compare Deuteronomy 9:3, “quickly”, which refers to Israel and the “sons of Anak” (Deuteronomy 9:2).

Deuteronomy 7:23

destroy = discomfit. Hebrew. hum, to put in consternation.

destruction = discomfiture.

destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad. Compare Deuteronomy 7:26.

Deuteronomy 7:24

man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14.

Deuteronomy 7:25

burn = burn up. See App-43.

Deuteronomy 7:26

a cursed thing. Hebrew a thing devoted to destruction; Compare Deuteronomy 13:17. Joshua 6:18. Isaiah 34:5; Isaiah 43:28 Malachi 4:6. Hebrew. herem, Compare other words in verses: Deuteronomy 7:23, Deuteronomy 7:24.