King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:16 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:16 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them:... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 7:16 · KJV


Context

14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

15

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

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.

17

If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?

18

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What sins or temptations are you showing 'pity' to that God commands you to destroy completely?
  2. How does incomplete obedience to God's commands become a 'snare' leading to greater compromise?
  3. In what ways should you be more ruthless in putting to death the deeds of the flesh?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֣1 of 21

And thou shalt consume

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת2 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽעַמִּ֗ים4 of 21

all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֨ר5 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֤ה6 of 21

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 21

their gods

H430

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

נֹתֵ֣ן8 of 21

shall deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֔ךְ9 of 21
H0
לֹֽא10 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָח֥וֹס11 of 21

shall have no pity

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

עֵֽינְךָ֖12 of 21

thee thine eye

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְלֹ֤א14 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲבֹד֙15 of 21

upon them neither shalt thou serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת16 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם17 of 21

their gods

H430

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

כִּֽי18 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מוֹקֵ֥שׁ19 of 21

for that will be a snare

H4170

a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)

ה֖וּא20 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לָֽךְ׃21 of 21
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 7:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 7:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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