And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
When the LORD your God hands them over to you, you must defeat them and completely destroy them. Don't make any treaties with them or show them mercy.
God is commanding the Israelites to completely defeat their enemies without making peace deals or showing mercy to them.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering God's laws to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. This verse specifically addresses the command to completely destroy the Canaanite nations to prevent the Israelites from intermarrying with them and adopting their idolatrous practices, which could lead to spiritual unfaithfulness. It reflects God's covenantal relationship with Israel, emphasizing the need for separation to maintain holiness as a chosen people.
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