Deuteronomy 7:16
And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֣
And thou shalt consume
H398
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֣
And thou shalt consume
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
1 of 21
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעַמִּ֗ים
all the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֗ים
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נֹתֵ֣ן
shall deliver
H5414
נֹתֵ֣ן
shall deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָח֥וֹס
shall have no pity
H2347
תָח֥וֹס
shall have no pity
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
עֵֽינְךָ֖
thee thine eye
H5869
עֵֽינְךָ֖
thee thine eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 21
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲבֹד֙
upon them neither shalt thou serve
H5647
תַֽעֲבֹד֙
upon them neither shalt thou serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
15 of 21
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מוֹקֵ֥שׁ
for that will be a snare
H4170
מוֹקֵ֥שׁ
for that will be a snare
Strong's:
H4170
Word #:
19 of 21
a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
Cross References
Exodus 23:33They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.Judges 8:27And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.1 Corinthians 15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.Deuteronomy 19:21And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.Deuteronomy 25:12Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.Deuteronomy 13:8Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:Deuteronomy 19:13Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.Psalms 106:36And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.Deuteronomy 7:2And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:Jeremiah 21:7And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
Historical Context
Israel's failure to completely execute this command resulted in centuries of spiritual struggle. Judges 1-2 records numerous Canaanite groups that were not driven out, who subsequently 'became thorns in your sides' and led Israel into idolatry. The Philistines, though not Canaanites, exemplified how unconquered enemies became ongoing threats. Solomon's marriages to foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-8) demonstrated how 'pity' and political alliance with pagan nations led directly to idolatry. The northern kingdom's syncretism with Canaanite Baal worship fulfilled this warning exactly.
Questions for Reflection
- What sins or temptations are you showing 'pity' to that God commands you to destroy completely?
- How does incomplete obedience to God's commands become a 'snare' leading to greater compromise?
- In what ways should you be more ruthless in putting to death the deeds of the flesh?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command to 'consume' (akal, 'devour, destroy') the Canaanite peoples continues the herem (devoted destruction) theme. 'Thine eye shall have no pity' prohibits sentimental mercy that enables evil. This is judicial hardness, not personal cruelty—executing God's judgment requires overcoming natural compassion that would spare the guilty. The warning 'that will be a snare unto thee' shows that incomplete obedience leads to spiritual compromise. A 'snare' (moqesh) is a trap—seemingly harmless at first but deadly in result. Israel's history validated this warning: spared Canaanites became thorns (Judges 2:3) leading to apostasy. In spiritual warfare, believers must be ruthless with sin, showing no mercy to patterns that ensnare (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5).