Deuteronomy 7:4. To serve other gods That is, there is manifest danger of apostacy and idolatry from such matches. Which reason doth both limit the prohibition to such of these as were unconverted, (otherwise Salmon married Rachab, Matthew 1:5,) and also enlarges it to other idolatrous nations, as appears from 1 Kings 11:2; Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:23. read more
Deuteronomy 7:5. Their groves Which idolaters planted about the temples and altars of their gods. Hereby God designed to take away whatsoever might bring their idolatry to remembrance, or occasion the reviving of it. read more
The promised land (7:1-8:20)Israel’s responsibility was to destroy the people of Canaan along with everything connected with their religion, so that nothing would remain in the land that might corrupt God’s people (7:1-5). Israel’s favoured place as God’s chosen people was not an excuse for them to do as they liked, but a reason for them to avoid corruption and be holy. If they were disobedient, they would surely be punished (6-11). But if they were obedient, they would enjoy the blessings of... read more
the LORD thy God = Jehovah thy Elohim. nations . Ten altogether are mentioned by name, here seven only. Other lists name six. Girgashites generally omitted. In the days of Ezra (Deuteronomy 9:1 ) five were still in the land. In the Tel-el-Amarna Tablets eight are named. read more
destroy them = devote them to destruction. Hebrew. haram. Compare Exodus 23:24 ; Exodus 34:12-17 , and see note on Deuteronomy 7:16 . read more
Me. The very words of Jehovah introduced. they. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "he". destroy = cut off. Hebrew. shamad. read more
But = But rather, or, Verily. destroy = break down. Hebrew. nathaz. break down = break into fragments. Hebrew. shabab. burn = burn up. graven images = sculptures. read more
holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 . chosen. This is the word emphasized by the Hebrew accent ( pas e h) , "thee hath Jehovah chosen". This is the basis of all else that is here stated. special = peculiar. See note on Exodus 19:6 , or "His people as a treasure". Compare Deuteronomy 26:18 . 1 Peter 2:9 . people. Hebrew Peoples. earth = ground. read more
This chapter, following the pattern we have already observed, is devoted to a further exposition and comment on the 2nd and 3commandments of the Decalogue. Here Moses extensively warned the Israelites against the idolatry of the land of Canaan into which they were about to enter. In the very first verse of this chapter, we have, "When Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land ...." This expression, or its equivalent (including half a dozen slight variations of it) occurs twenty-four times... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 7:3
Deuteronomy 7:3. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them From this prohibition it has been justly inferred that the Canaanites, as individuals, might be spared upon their repentance and reformation from idolatry. For on the supposition that nothing that breathed was to be saved alive, but that all were to be utterly destroyed, there could be no occasion for this injunction. What end could it answer to forbid all intermarriages with a people supposed not to exist? read more