Deuteronomy 7:22
New International Version
The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.

New Living Translation
The LORD your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you.

English Standard Version
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.

King James Bible
And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

New King James Version
And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.

New American Standard Bible
And the LORD your God will drive away these nations from you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you.

NASB 1995
“The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you.

NASB 1977
“And the LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, lest the wild beasts become too numerous for you.

Amplified Bible
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for [if you did] the wild animals would become too numerous for you.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be able to destroy them all at once; otherwise, the wild animals will become too numerous for you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be able to destroy them all at once; otherwise, the wild animals will become too numerous for you.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah thy God will cast out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Contemporary English Version
As you attack these nations, the LORD will force them out little by little. He won't let you get rid of them all at once--if he did, there wouldn't be enough people living in the land to keep down the number of wild animals.

English Revised Version
And the LORD thy God will cast out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Little by little he will force these nations out of your way. You won't be able to wipe them out quickly. Otherwise, you would be overrun with wild animals.

Good News Translation
Little by little he will drive out these nations as you advance. You will not be able to destroy them all at once, for, if you did, the number of wild animals would increase and be a threat to you.

International Standard Version
He slowly will dislodge these nations before you, but he won't destroy them quickly, so the wild animals won't multiply around you.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.

NET Bible
He, the God who leads you, will expel the nations little by little. You will not be allowed to destroy them all at once lest the wild animals overrun you.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD your God will cast out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD thy God will drive out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

World English Bible
Yahweh your God will cast out those nations before you little by little. You may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And your God YHWH has cast out these nations from your presence little [by] little (you are not able to consume them quickly, lest the beast of the field multiplies against you),

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah thy God hath cast out these nations from thy presence little by little, (thou art not able to consume them hastily, lest the beast of the field multiply against thee),

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah thy God cast out these nations from thy face, little, little; thou shalt not be able to finish them quickly lest the beast of the field shall multiply upon thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He will consume these nations in thy sight by little and little and by degrees. Thou wilt not be able to destroy them altogether: lest perhaps the beasts of the earth should increase upon thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He himself will consume these nations in your sight, a little at a time, by degrees. You will not be able to destroy them all at once. Otherwise, the wild beasts of the earth might increase against you.

New American Bible
He will remove these nations before you little by little. You cannot finish with them quickly, lest the wild beasts become too numerous for you.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to make a quick end of them, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD your God will destroy those nations from before you little by little; you will not be able to destroy them quickly, lest the wild beasts increase upon you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH your God will destroy these nations from before you, little by little; you cannot destroy them quickly, lest wild beasts will increase upon you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD thy God will cast out those nations before thee by little and little; thou mayest not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord thy God shall consume these nations before thee by little and little: thou shalt not be able to consume them speedily, lest the land become desert, and the wild beasts of the field be multiplied against thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Promises of God
21Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. 22The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you. 23But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:29-30
I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you. / Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.

Joshua 11:18-20
Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long period of time. / No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. / For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Judges 2:21-23
I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. / In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.” / That is why the LORD had left those nations in place and had not driven them out immediately by delivering them into the hand of Joshua.

Leviticus 26:7-8
You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. / Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.

Isaiah 28:10
For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”

Exodus 23:28
I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.

Joshua 23:12-13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

2 Kings 17:25-26
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”

Nehemiah 9:8
You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

Psalm 105:44
He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor,

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

James 1:4
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD your God will put out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase on you.

put out [heb] pluck off

Exodus 23:29,30
I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee…

Joshua 15:63
As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

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Able Allowed Animals Beasts Cast Clear Consume Drive Eliminate End Hastily Increase Increased Little Mayest Multiply Nations Numerous Once Overmuch Presence Quickly Rooted Wild
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Able Allowed Animals Beasts Cast Clear Consume Drive Eliminate End Hastily Increase Increased Little Mayest Multiply Nations Numerous Once Overmuch Presence Quickly Rooted Wild
Deuteronomy 7
1. All communion with the nations is forbidden
5. for fear of idolatry,
6. for the holiness of the people,
9. for the nature of God in his mercy and justice,
17. and for the assuredness of victory which God will give over them.














The LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. In Hebrew, "Yahweh Eloheikha" signifies not just any deity, but the specific, personal God who has chosen Israel as His people. This relationship is foundational to the identity of Israel and is a recurring theme throughout Deuteronomy. It underscores God's sovereignty and His role as the divine protector and provider.

will drive out
The Hebrew root for "drive out" is "yarash," which means to dispossess or expel. This action is not merely a physical removal but a divine intervention where God actively participates in the fulfillment of His promises. It reflects God's power and His commitment to His covenant with Israel, ensuring that His people inherit the land promised to their forefathers.

these nations
Referring to the Canaanite nations inhabiting the Promised Land, this phrase highlights the specific groups that Israel is to conquer. Historically, these nations were known for their idolatry and practices that were abominable to God. The command to drive them out is both a judgment against their wickedness and a means to protect Israel from spiritual corruption.

before you
This phrase indicates that God's actions are in direct support of Israel. The Hebrew word "paneh" (before) suggests a leading or going ahead, implying that God is not only with Israel but is also leading the charge. It reassures the Israelites of God's presence and guidance in their conquest.

little by little
The gradual nature of this process is significant. The Hebrew "me'at me'at" suggests a deliberate and strategic approach. This method prevents the land from becoming desolate and overrun by wild animals, as stated in the following verses. It teaches patience and reliance on God's timing, reminding believers that divine plans often unfold progressively rather than instantaneously.

You will not be able to destroy them all at once
This phrase acknowledges human limitations and the necessity of divine assistance. It serves as a reminder that while Israel is called to action, ultimate success depends on God's power and wisdom. It also reflects a practical approach to warfare and settlement, ensuring that the Israelites can sustainably occupy the land.

lest the wild animals multiply around you
The concern for wild animals multiplying underscores the practical and ecological considerations of the conquest. In ancient times, a sudden depopulation of human inhabitants could lead to an increase in wildlife, posing a threat to the settlers. This phrase highlights God's foresight and care for the well-being of His people, ensuring that the land remains habitable and safe.

(22) The Lord thy God will put out.--The word for "putting out" is illustrated by its use in Deuteronomy 19:5, of the axe-head flying off from the handle in the midst of a blow, and of the olive "casting" his fruit in Deuteronomy 28:40. (Comp. also 2Kings 16:6, and 1Samuel 25:29, for a similar thought.)

By little and little.--This confirms the view already expressed, that the expulsion of each particular nation was contingent upon the Divine decree, and that none were to be attacked by Israel except when the Lord should deliver them into Israel's hand.

Verse 22. - (Cf. Exodus 23:30.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will drive out
וְנָשַׁל֩ (wə·nā·šal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5394: To slip or drop off, draw off, clear away

these
הָאֵ֛ל (hā·’êl)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 411: These, those

nations
הַגּוֹיִ֥ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

before you
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ (mip·pā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

little
מְעַ֣ט (mə·‘aṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

by little.
מְעָ֑ט (mə·‘āṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

You will not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be enabled
תוּכַל֙ (ṯū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to eliminate
כַּלֹּתָ֣ם (kal·lō·ṯām)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

them all at once,
מַהֵ֔ר (ma·hêr)
Adverb
Strong's 4118: Hastening, speedy, swift

or
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

the wild
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

animals
חַיַּ֥ת (ḥay·yaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

would multiply
תִּרְבֶּ֥ה (tir·beh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

around you.
עָלֶ֖יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 7:22 Yahweh your God will cast out those (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 7:21
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