Exodus 23:23 Meaning and Explanation
“For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Angel will lead you into Canaan and God will destroy the nations living there.
The Context of Exodus 23:23
Promise that God will drive out the Canaanite nations.
What Does Exodus 23:23 Mean?
God identifies the specific peoples already occupying the land and promises that the Angel will lead Israel to them while God removes them from the land. This is presented as God's action, not Israel's prowess. Six nations are named, representing the diversity of peoples in Canaan.
The conquest is framed as God delivering the land to Israel by removing the inhabitants. The people will enter a land already vacated by divine action, not through their military strength alone.
Exodus 23:23 in the Original Language
karet (כָּרַת), 'cut off'—to cut down or destroy, often used of God's decisive removal of a people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 23:23
What does Exodus 23:23 mean?
The Angel will lead you into Canaan and God will destroy the nations living there.
What is the context of Exodus 23:23?
Promise that God will drive out the Canaanite nations.