Exodus 23:27

27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.

Exodus 23:27 in Other Translations

KJV
27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
ESV
27 I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
NLT
27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run.
MSG
27 "I'll send my Terror on ahead of you and throw those peoples you're approaching into a panic. All you'll see of your enemies is the backs of their necks.
CSB
27 "I will cause the people ahead of you to feel terror and throw into confusion all the nations you come to. I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you in retreat.

Exodus 23:27 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:27

And I will send my fear before thee
What should cause fear among the nations of the land of Canaan; either the hornets mentioned in the next verse as the explanative of this; or the fame of his mighty works, which he had done for Israel in Egypt, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness; which struck the inhabitants of Canaan with such a panic, that they were ready to faint and melt away, and lost all courage, ( Joshua 2:9-11 )

and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come;
that is, the greatest part of them:

and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee;
flee away, not being able to face them and stand a battle, or, however, not stand it long, but run and make their escape: "or I will give thee the neck of them" F16; cause them to submit, to lay down their necks and be trampled upon; an expression denoting their subjection, and an entire conquest of them, see ( Psalms 18:39 Psalms 18:40 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (Pre-yttn) "et dabo-cervicem", Pagninus, Montanus; "exponam tibi cervicem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ponam ad te cervicem", Drusius.

Exodus 23:27 In-Context

25 Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,
26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.
28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.
29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 35:5; S Exodus 15:14; Deuteronomy 2:25
  • 2. S Exodus 14:24; Deuteronomy 7:23
  • 3. 2 Samuel 22:41; Psalms 18:40; Psalms 21:12
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