Deep Dive

Exodus 23:27

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.

Deep dive References (11)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 27

This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (Exo 23:1), and giving false judgment (Exo 23:2, Exo 23:3, Exo 23:6-8). Also a law of doing good to our enemies (Exo 23:4, Exo 23:5), and not oppressing strangers (Exo 23:9). II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (Exo 23:10, Exo 23:11), the three annual feasts (Exo 23:14-17), with some laws pertaining thereto. III. Gracious promises of the completing of the mercy God had begun for them, upon condition of their obedience. That God would conduct them through the wilderness (Exo 23:20-24), that he would prosper all they had (Exo 23:25, Exo 23:26), that he would put them in possession of Canaan (Exo 23:27-31). But they must not mingle themselves with the nations (Exo 23:32, Exo 23:33).

Open source ↗

Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 27

שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵימָה (ʼêymâh, H367) — fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… הָמַם (hâmam, H2000) — properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal…

Open source ↗

Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Deuteronomy 2:25rank 16

This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”

Genesis 35:5rank 13

As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.

Deuteronomy 11:25rank 12

No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.

Deuteronomy 7:23rank 12

But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.

Psalms 18:40rank 8

You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me.

II Kings 7:6rank 6

For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”

II Chronicles 14:14rank 6

and attacked all the cities around Gerar, because the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities, since there was much plunder there.

Deuteronomy 11:23rank 6

then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and stronger than you.

I Samuel 14:15rank 6

Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.

Commentaries

Original language

Cross-references

Your reflection