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Exodus 23:27

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 23:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
Exodus 23:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and break in pieces their pillars.
25And ye shall serve Jehovah your God, and he will bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
26There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
27I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28And I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29I will not drive them out from before thee in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the beasts of the field multiply against thee.
30By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
← Exodus 23:26Exodus 23:28 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will send my fear before thee, etc.] 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, (<060209>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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Destroy - Rather, overthrow. See Exodus 23:23. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will send my fear before thee - And they that fear will soon flee. Hosts of hornets also made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God make use of for the chastising of his people's enemies. Next: Exodus Chapter 24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my fear: Exo 15:14-16; Gen 35:5; Deu 2:25, Deu 11:23, Deu 11:25; Jos 2:9-11; Sa1 14:15; Kg2 7:6; Ch2 14:14 destroy: Deu 7:23 backs: Heb. neck, Psa 18:40 Exodus 23:28”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification