Êxodo 23:29

29 Não os expulsarei num só ano, para que a terra não se torne em deserto, e as feras do campo não se multipliquem contra ti.

Êxodo 23:29 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:29

I will not drive them out from before thee in one year
This is observed before hand, lest the Israelites should be discouraged, and fear they should never be rid of them; and it was so ordered in Providence for the following reason:

lest the land become desolate;
there being not a sufficient number of Israelites to replace in their stead, to repeople the land, and to cultivate it; and yet their number was very large, being, when they came out of Egypt, as is generally computed, about two millions and a half, besides the mixed multitude of Egyptians and others, and during their forty years in the wilderness must be greatly increased:

and the beast of the field multiply against thee;
there being so much waste ground for them to prowl about in, they would so increase as to make head against them, and be too many for them; or, however, it would be difficult to keep them under control: the Targum of Jonathan adds,

``when they shall come to eat their carcasses (the carcasses of the Canaanites slain in war), and may hurt thee.''

Êxodo 23:29 In-Context

27 Enviarei o meu terror adiante de ti, pondo em confusão todo povo em cujas terras entrares, e farei que todos os teus inimigos te voltem as costas.

28 Também enviarei na tua frente vespas, que expulsarão de diante de ti os heveus, os cananeus e os heteus.

29 Não os expulsarei num só ano, para que a terra não se torne em deserto, e as feras do campo não se multipliquem contra ti.

30 Pouco a pouco os lançarei de diante de ti, até que te multipliques e possuas a terra por herança.

31 E fixarei os teus limites desde o Mar Vermelho até o mar dos filisteus, e desde o deserto até o o rio; porque hei de entregar nas tuas mãos os moradores da terra, e tu os expulsarás de diante de ti.