Deuteronomy 7:22

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָשַׁל֩
will put out
to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop
#2
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ
thy God
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
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַגּוֹיִ֥ם
nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#6
הָאֵ֛ל
those
these or those
#7
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
מְעָ֑ט
and little
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#9
מְעָ֑ט
and little
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#10
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
תוּכַל֙
thou mayest
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#12
כַּלֹּתָ֣ם
not consume
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#13
מַהֵ֔ר
them at once
properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry
#14
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#15
תִּרְבֶּ֥ה
increase
to increase (in whatever respect)
#16
עָלֶ֖יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
חַיַּ֥ת
lest the beasts
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#18
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃
of the field
a field (as flat)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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