King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:22 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:22 in the King James Version says “And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. put: Heb. pluck off”

Deuteronomy 7:22 · King James Version

Context

20

Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

21

Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.

22

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. put: Heb. pluck off

23

But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed. unto: Heb. before thy face

24

And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.

Read Deuteronomy 7 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
God's gradual conquest strategy ('by little and little') serves wise purposes: preventing land desolation and wild beast proliferation. This shows divine wisdom in means as well as ends—God's purposes are accomplished at His pace, not ours. Immediate total conquest would have created ecological problems (abandoned farmland reverting to wilderness, dangerous animal populations). This teaches patience in God's timing and methods. God often works gradually in sanctification—progressive holiness, not instant perfection (Philippians 1:6). The phrase 'lest the beasts of the field increase' shows God's care for practical concerns, not just spiritual abstractions. Divine wisdom governs both salvation and the ordinary details of life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's actual conquest occurred in stages: initial campaigns under Joshua (7-8 years), followed by gradual consolidation over generations. Judges records ongoing conflicts with remaining Canaanite populations. Full territorial control wasn't achieved until David's reign, roughly 400 years after the initial conquest. This gradual process frustrated impatient Israelites but served God's wise purposes. Archaeological evidence shows some Canaanite cities were destroyed (Jericho, Hazor), others captured gradually, and some coexisted for extended periods before final Israelite control.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's gradual timing in your sanctification and circumstances demonstrate His wisdom?
  2. What impatience with God's pace reveals about your trust in His sovereign wisdom?
  3. How can you faithfully work 'little by little' toward God's purposes without demanding immediate completion?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְנָשַׁל֩1 of 18

“will put out”

H5394

to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop

יְהוָ֨ה2 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ3 of 18

“thy God”

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

אֶת4 of 18
H853

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

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם5 of 18

“nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הָאֵ֛ל6 of 18

“those”

H411

these or those

מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ7 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מְעָ֑ט8 of 18

“and little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מְעָ֑ט9 of 18

“and little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

לֹ֤א10 of 18
H3808

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

תוּכַל֙11 of 18

“thou mayest”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

כַּלֹּתָ֣ם12 of 18

“not consume”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

מַהֵ֔ר13 of 18

“them at once”

H4118

properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry

פֶּן14 of 18
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תִּרְבֶּ֥ה15 of 18

“increase”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

עָלֶ֖יךָ16 of 18
H5921

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

חַיַּ֥ת17 of 18

“lest the beasts”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃18 of 18

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

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 7:22 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 7:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:29-30Joshua 15:63

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