Deuteronomy 7 explained: Chosen, Set Apart, and at War

Destroy the seven nations (vv. 1-2)

Israel is told to wipe out the peoples living in Canaan, with no treaties and no mercy, using a word that means handing something over to God by destroying it completely. This is one of the Bible's hardest commands, and many scholars think it is sweeping war language, since the very next verses assume these peoples will still be around to marry.

No marriages, no idols (vv. 3-5)

The reason given is worship: marrying into these families would pull Israel's children toward other gods. Altars, standing stones and wooden poles honoring the goddess Asherah were the objects of Canaanite worship, so all of it was to be torn down and burned.

Chosen out of love (vv. 6-11)

Holy here means set apart for God, and the text insists this was not because Israel was large or impressive but because God loved them and kept a promise to their ancestors. God is pictured as faithful to those who love him for a thousand generations, a way of saying almost without end, while repaying those who hate him.

What faithfulness brings (vv. 12-16)

If Israel keeps these laws, the promise is a full life in the land: many children, good harvests, healthy herds and freedom from the diseases they knew in Egypt. The section ends by repeating the command to show these peoples no pity and not to serve their gods.

Do not fear them (vv. 17-24)

Facing stronger nations, Israel is told to remember what God did to Egypt, and the 'hornet' sent ahead may mean real insects or a picture of panic, as scholars are unsure. The takeover is to be gradual so the emptied land would not be overrun by wild animals.

Keep none of the gold (vv. 25-26)

Even the silver and gold covering idols was off limits, because it belonged to what was set apart for destruction. Taking it home would make the household share that same fate.

Key verse: Deuteronomy 7:6

Where Christians differ

Christians genuinely differ on how to understand the command to destroy the Canaanites: as God's just judgment carried out as written, as exaggerated ancient war language, or as reflecting Israel's limited grasp of God at the time.

Something to think about

What do you make of a chapter that speaks of being loved without earning it in the same breath as commands to show outsiders no mercy?