Translations
Modern
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And YHWH your God has cast out these nations before you little by little; you are not able to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.
Latin
…ipse consumet nationes has in conspectu tuo paulatim atque per partes. Non poteris eas delere pariter: ne forte multiplicentur contra te bestiæ terræ.
Original
Hebrew
English
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
Notes
Before Israel could occupy the promised land, they had to remove the people already living there (compare Genesis 13:14–17; 15:18–21). The land belonged to the Lord, and only God could decide who should live there.
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Holy War Holy War Joshua, Book of
Topics
Beasts: Found in Fields Blessing: Temporal, from God Contingencies in Divine Government of Man God: Preserver God: Providence of War: God In