Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

7:1 The Hittites (not the same group as those in Anatolia [Turkey]) are descended from Ham, like the other peoples listed in this verse (cf. Gen. 10:15-17). On Amorites and Canaanites, see Deut. 1:7. The Perizzites are associated with Canaanites in Gen. 13:7 and Judg. 1:4-5. The Hivites lived around Shechem, in Gibeonite territory and in the north, near Mount Hermon. The Jebusites were based in Jerusalem. Compare the lists in Deut. 20:17 (which omits the Girgashites); Josh. 3:10; 24:11. For a parallel to Deut. 7:1-6, see Ex. 34:11-16.

7:2 devote them to complete destruction. See 2:34-35; 20:10-18; and note on 20:16-18. no covenant. Israel's covenant with God is exclusive, and thus covenants with other nations are prohibited (cf. Joshua 9). no mercy. The listed nations (see Deut. 7:1) inhabit Israel's land promised by God. They are being punished for their sins (Gen. 15:16); the God of justice is using Israel as his executioner; and any mercy shown to those whom God is judging will not only compromise God's punishment but will also make Israel vulnerable to follow their evil ways (Deut. 7:16).

7:3-4 The prohibition of intermarriage would be unnecessary if all the Canaanites were destroyed. Intermarriage with those of other religions is the issue, not interracial marriage or ethnic cleansing. Israel is vulnerable to turn away from God (see esp. Solomon in 1 Kings 11:1-8). That is far more likely than Israelites converting their non-Israelite spouses to the Lord (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-15).

7:5 All the paraphernalia of Canaanite religion is to be totally destroyed or it will be a snare to Israel (see v. 16 and note on 12:2-3). The pillars were made of stone. Asherim were wooden poles adorned with female fertility symbols (see note on Judg. 6:25-26).

7:6 For. This verse provides the reason for the preceding commands. holy to the Lord. At its heart, holiness means being exclusively separated to God. Hence Israel must have no association with pagan religion. chosen. See 4:37; 10:15; 14:2. treasured possession. See Ex. 19:5; Deut. 14:2; 26:18.

7:7-8 The Lord's love for Israel derives from his love for their fathers, the patriarchs (4:37), and not from their own merits. See also 9:4-5.

7:9-10 Unlike 5:9-10, there is no mention here of visiting iniquity to the third or fourth generations. Rather, God repays to their face those who hate him.

7:12 Though the covenant God made with Abraham had few conditions, Israel is obligated to keep the Sinai covenant laws for the Abrahamic covenant to remain in force. See Gen. 12:2-3; Deut. 28:4, 11-13.

7:13-15 The fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant is described in terms of blessing. Grain . . . wine and . . . oil represent the three main crops (see also 11:14; 12:17; 14:23; 18:4; 28:51). Evil diseases may refer to the plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7-14), or more generally the diseases that were common afflictions in Egypt.

7:16 snare. See Ex. 10:7; 23:33; 34:12; Judg. 2:3; 8:27; 1 Sam. 18:21; Ps. 106:36.

7:17-18 Israel is warned three times (here, 8:17, and 9:4) not to say in your heart certain things that express fear (7:17) or pride (8:17; 9:4). The state of Israel's heart is a key issue in Deuteronomy (see 4:39; 6:6; and notes on 4:37-39; 6:6). The answer to each warning is "remember" (7:18; 8:18; 9:7). The antidote to wrong fear is to remember what the Lord your God did. Right fear means fearing God (see note on 5:29).

7:20 The hornets are either literal, or figuratively represent the "panic" of those chased by hornets; see Ex. 23:28, and note on Josh. 24:12 (cf. "bees" in Deut. 1:44).

7:22-23 little by little. See Ex. 23:29-30. This verse gives some theological interpretation to the book of Joshua. While Josh. 10:42 envisages a rapid conquest, Josh. 11:18 acknowledges that Joshua's wars took a long time. Confusion is a common feature of holy war (see Deut. 28:20; also Ex. 14:24; Josh. 10:10; 1 Sam. 5:9, 11; 14:20).

7:25-26 See note on v. 5. Abomination is an important word in Deuteronomy (see 12:31; 13:14; 14:3; 17:1, 4; 18:9, 12; 20:18; 22:5; 23:18; 24:4; 25:16; 27:15; 32:16). It denotes a significant sin, often with the sense of social or theological hypocrisy, and God's increased anger against it. devoted to destruction. See note on 2:34-35.