Deuteronomy 7:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will gradually drive out the nations rather than all at once, to prevent wild animals from overrunning the land.
The Context of Deuteronomy 7:22
The conquest will occur gradually to allow Israel to settle and maintain the land ecologically.
What Does Deuteronomy 7:22 Mean?
An unexpected complication appears: God will clear the land 'by little and little' rather than instantaneously. The reason is practical: if all the peoples and their cultivation disappeared at once, the wild beasts would multiply without control and would overwhelm the land before Israel could occupy and farm it. The gradual conquest allows the ecological balance to be maintained as Israel progressively settles the cleared areas.
This detail reveals a sophisticated understanding of both conquest and land management. It also suggests that the conquest will take time—not a single campaign but a prolonged process as described in the book of Joshua. The pace is not frustratingly slow but calibrated to the actual needs of occupation and agricultural settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 7:22
What does Deuteronomy 7:22 mean?
God will gradually drive out the nations rather than all at once, to prevent wild animals from overrunning the land.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 7:22?
The conquest will occur gradually to allow Israel to settle and maintain the land ecologically.