Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. New Living Translation When the LORD your God hands these nations over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy. English Standard Version and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. Berean Standard Bible and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Berean Literal Bible and YHWH your God delivers them over to you, then you shall strike them down—you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall not make a covenant with them and you shall not show mercy to them. King James Bible And 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: New King James Version and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. New American Standard Bible and when the LORD your God turns them over to you and you defeat them, you shall utterly destroy them. You shall not make a covenant with them nor be gracious to them. NASB 1995 and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. NASB 1977 and when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you, and you shall defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Legacy Standard Bible and when Yahweh your God gives them over before you and you strike them down, then you shall devote them to destruction. You shall cut no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Amplified Bible and when the LORD your God gives them over to you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall not make a covenant (treaty) with them nor show mercy and compassion to them. Berean Annotated Bible and when the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction {cherem}. Make no treaty (covenant) with them and show them no mercy. Christian Standard Bible and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you and you defeat them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Holman Christian Standard Bible and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you and you defeat them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. American Standard Version and when Jehovah thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them; Contemporary English Version the LORD will force them out of the land. Then you must destroy them without mercy. Don't make any peace treaties with them, English Revised Version and when the LORD thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: GOD'S WORD® Translation When the LORD your God gives them to you and you defeat them, destroy every one of them because they have been claimed by the LORD. Don't make any treaties with them or show them any mercy. Good News Translation When the LORD your God places these people in your power and you defeat them, you must put them all to death. Do not make an alliance with them or show them any mercy. International Standard Version So when the LORD your God delivers them to you and you have defeated them, then utterly destroy them. You are not to make any covenant with them nor be gracious to them. NET Bible and he delivers them over to you and you attack them, you must utterly annihilate them. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy! New Heart English Bible and when the LORD your God shall deliver them up before you, and you shall strike them; then you shall utterly destroy them: you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them; Webster's Bible Translation And 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 show mercy to them: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. World English Bible and when Yahweh your God delivers them up before you, and you strike them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand your God YHWH has given them before you, then you have struck them—you utterly devote them—you do not make a covenant with them, nor do you favor them. Berean Literal Bible and YHWH your God delivers them over to you, then you shall strike them down—you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall not make a covenant with them and you shall not show mercy to them. Young's Literal Translation and Jehovah thy God hath given them before thee, and thou hast smitten them -- thou dost utterly devote them -- thou dost not make with them a covenant, nor dost thou favour them. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah thy God gave them before thee, and thou didst smite them: exterminating, thou shalt exterminate them; thou shalt not make to them a covenant and thou shalt not show them mercy. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord thy God shall have delivered them to thee, thou shalt utterly destroy them. Thou shalt make no league with them, nor shew mercy to them: Catholic Public Domain Version and when the Lord your God will have delivered them to you, you shall strike them down unto utter annihilation. You shall not enter into a pact with them, nor shall you show any pity to them. New American Bible and when the LORD, your God, gives them over to you and you defeat them, you shall put them under the ban. Make no covenant with them and do not be gracious to them. New Revised Standard Version and when the LORD your God gives them over to you and you defeat them, then you must utterly destroy them. Make no covenant with them and show them no mercy. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you, and you shall defeat them; then you shall utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH your God shall deliver them before you and you shall strike them, and you shall certainly destroy them; you shall not make a covenant with them and you shall not have mercy upon them: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and when the LORD thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them; Brenton Septuagint Translation and the Lord thy God shall deliver them into thy hands, then thou shalt smite them: thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt not make a covenant with them, neither shall ye pity them: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Casting out the Nations1When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— 2and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. 3Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,… Cross References when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, Deuteronomy 2:33 And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army. Judges 1:4 When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. Joshua 10:8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.” then you must devote them to complete destruction. Deuteronomy 20:17 For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, Joshua 6:17 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Make no treaty with them Exodus 23:32 You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. Exodus 34:12 Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst. Exodus 34:15 Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. and show them no mercy. Joshua 11:20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 13:8 you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. Deuteronomy 19:13 You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. Joshua 23:12-13 For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you. Judges 2:2-3 and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.” 1 Kings 11:2 These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. Ezra 9:12 Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’ Treasury of Scripture And when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you; you shall smite them, and utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them: deliver Deuteronomy 7:23,24 But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed… Deuteronomy 3:3 So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining. Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. utterly Deuteronomy 20:16,17 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: … Leviticus 27:28,29 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD… Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: make no Deuteronomy 20:10,11 When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it… Exodus 23:32,33 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods… Exodus 34:12-16 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: … Jump to Previous Agreement Complete Covenant Defeat Defeated Deliver Delivered Delivers Destroy Destruction Devote Hands Mercy Overcome Shew Show Smite Smitten Strike Totally Treaty UtterlyJump to Next Agreement Complete Covenant Defeat Defeated Deliver Delivered Delivers Destroy Destruction Devote Hands Mercy Overcome Shew Show Smite Smitten Strike Totally Treaty UtterlyDeuteronomy 7 1. All communion with the nations is forbidden5. for fear of idolatry, 6. for the holiness of the people, 9. for the nature of God in his mercy and justice, 17. and for the assuredness of victory which God will give over them. and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and power of God in the battles Israel faces. The deliverance of enemies into Israel's hands is a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs (Genesis 15:18-21). It underscores the divine initiative in Israel's conquest of Canaan, highlighting that victory is not by their own strength but by God's intervention (Joshua 1:3-5). This reflects the broader biblical theme of God as a warrior who fights for His people (Exodus 14:14). The historical context involves the Israelites entering the Promised Land, a region inhabited by various Canaanite tribes, each with its own fortified cities and armies. then you must devote them to complete destruction Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands and empowers His people. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, who are entering the Promised Land. 3. Canaanites The inhabitants of the Promised Land, whom God commands to be destroyed. 4. Promised Land (Canaan) The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 5. Moses The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's commandments to the people. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsGod’s instructions to Israel were clear and required complete obedience. This teaches us the importance of following God's commands fully, without compromise. Holiness and Separation The command to destroy the Canaanites was about maintaining the holiness of God's people. As Christians, we are called to be separate from sin and the influences of the world. Trust in God's Sovereignty The Israelites were to trust that God would deliver their enemies into their hands. We, too, must trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives. The Danger of Compromise Making treaties with the Canaanites would lead to spiritual compromise. We must be vigilant against compromising our faith and values. God's Justice and Mercy While the command seems harsh, it reflects God's justice against sin. It also points to the mercy available through Christ, who took the punishment for sin on our behalf. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 7:2?2. How does Deuteronomy 7:2 instruct us to deal with spiritual strongholds today? 3. What does "make no covenant" teach about avoiding compromise with worldly influences? 4. How can Deuteronomy 7:2 guide us in maintaining purity in our faith? 5. What New Testament teachings align with Deuteronomy 7:2's call for separation? 6. How can we apply "show them no mercy" in resisting sin in our lives? 7. How does Deuteronomy 7:2 align with the concept of a loving God? 8. Why does Deuteronomy 7:2 command the destruction of other nations? 9. What historical context explains the command in Deuteronomy 7:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 7? 11. Is interfaith dialogue supported by biblical teachings? 12. Why does Judges 1 focus on partial victories and failures if God had promised total victory, raising questions about divine promises versus historical outcomes? 13. Is Paul a false prophet? 14. If God is compassionate, how can Deuteronomy 7:1–2 condone the total destruction of other nations? What Does Deuteronomy 7:2 Mean When the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them“ The LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 7:23) • God Himself initiates the victory; Israel is not conquering by luck or superior tactics but by divine intervention, just as He promised in Exodus 23:27-31 and fulfilled in Joshua 24:12. • The phrasing underscores covenant faithfulness—what the Lord swore to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21 He now brings to pass. • Because the outcome is the Lord’s doing, Israel must rely on Him rather than on their own strength, echoing Deuteronomy 9:3, “the LORD your God is the consuming fire who will destroy them and subdue them before you.” then you must devote them to complete destruction “ You must utterly destroy them…” (Deuteronomy 7:2) • This was a specific, time-bound command for the conquest generation. It removed entrenched evil practices (Leviticus 18:24-30) and preserved Israel from idolatry. • Comparable orders appear in 1 Samuel 15:3 and Numbers 21:2-3, always tied to protecting worship purity. • The severity highlights God’s holiness: sin that has ripened for judgment (Genesis 15:16) meets the full weight of divine justice. Make no treaty with them “ Do not make a covenant with them or show them favor.” (Deuteronomy 7:2) • Treaties implied shared gods (Exodus 34:12-15). Entering one would blur the line between Yahweh worship and paganism. • Israel’s later compromise with the Gibeonites in Joshua 9 illustrates the danger—peace secured by deception bred ongoing complications (2 Samuel 21:1-2). • The Lord desires exclusive allegiance; His people cannot bind themselves to systems opposed to Him (2 Corinthians 6:14-17 applies the same principle today). and show them no mercy “ …show them no mercy.” (Deuteronomy 7:2) • Mercy in this context would have meant allowing the nations to continue practices like child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31). True compassion protects future generations from such horrors. • God’s justice is never cruel caprice; it is righteous and measured (Psalm 19:9). Yet it is also final—Hebrews 10:31 reminds, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” • For believers now, the battle is spiritual (Ephesians 6:12). We show no mercy to sin in our own lives, putting it to death (Romans 8:13), while extending personal mercy to people as Christ commands (Matthew 5:44). summary Deuteronomy 7:2 presents a four-fold directive rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness and holiness: He wins the battle, commands total removal of corrupting influences, forbids compromising alliances, and requires resolute opposition to evil. The passage reveals both the severity of divine justice and the safety found in wholehearted obedience. While the original command was specific to Israel’s conquest, its underlying principles—trust God’s power, guard against idolatry, refuse compromised allegiance, and deal decisively with sin—remain timeless for God’s people today. (2) And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee. . . .--It would be possible to read, "Then the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee, and thou shalt smite." Or the sentence might also be divided thus: "When the Lord thy God shall bring thee in, and shall have delivered the nations from before thee, and thou hast smitten them, then thou shalt utterly destroy them"--i.e., shalt make them cherem, a devoted or accursed thing. Perhaps this last way of dividing the clauses is, upon the whole, to be preferred. But in any case it should be noted that Jehovah's deliverance of the nations into Israel's hand is to precede their defeat and extermination. Indiscriminate attack and massacre are not to be thought of. (See for a further Note on this, Joshua 13) All the operations described in Joshua--the sieges of Jericho and Ai, the southern campaign and the northern campaign--were alike undertaken under Divine direction. The same may be said of the battles in Moses' lifetime, whether against Amalek, Sihon, Og, Arad, or Midian. The same is true of the judges, and of David's operations against the Philistines after he came to the throne (2Samuel 5:19, &c). The principle was acknowledged by Ahab in his attack on Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22).Thou shalt make no covenant with them.--The reason for this is too obvious to need comment. If Israelites and idolaters were united--still more if they were intermingled in marriage--there was an end to the distinction of race and religion--an end to the supremacy of Israel or the isolation of the people of Jehovah, as exhibiting His Law and the blessings of His government to mankind. It must be remembered, however, that the isolation here commanded was only a means to an end; it was not the end itself. It may be further observed that as soon as the danger of idolatry was at an end, the isolation of Israel in a great measure ceased. The object of giving the people a land of their own, and supremacy among the surrounding nations, was to enable them to develop the religion which was to prepare the way for Christianity. When the religious principles of the nation were sufficiently fixed to make their political supremacy unnecessary, this supremacy was taken away. Hebrew and when the LORDיְהוָ֧ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has delivered them over וּנְתָנָ֞ם (ū·nə·ṯā·nām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set to you לְפָנֶ֖יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face to defeat them, וְהִכִּיתָ֑ם (wə·hik·kî·ṯām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5221: To strike then you must completely destroy them. הַחֲרֵ֤ם (ha·ḥă·rêm) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 2763: To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose Make תִכְרֹ֥ת (ṯiḵ·rōṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant no לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no treaty בְּרִ֖ית (bə·rîṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant with them לָהֶ֛ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew and show them no וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no mercy. תְחָנֵּֽם׃ (ṯə·ḥān·nêm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore Links Deuteronomy 7:2 NIVDeuteronomy 7:2 NLT Deuteronomy 7:2 ESV Deuteronomy 7:2 NASB Deuteronomy 7:2 KJV Deuteronomy 7:2 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 7:2 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 7:2 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 7:2 French Bible Deuteronomy 7:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 7:2 And when Yahweh your God shall deliver (Deut. 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