Exodus 23:29 Meaning and Explanation
“I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will not expel the peoples in one year to prevent the land from becoming wilderness and wild animals from multiplying.
The Context of Exodus 23:29
God's plan for gradual conquest and land settlement.
What Does Exodus 23:29 Mean?
Despite the promise of victory, God sets a pace of conquest that allows the land to remain inhabited and cultivated. Too rapid a removal would create empty territory that would become overgrown and inhabited by wild beasts, creating a different problem for Israel. Gradual conquest protects the land's utility.
This constraint reveals God's practical concern for Israel's actual welfare, not just the defeat of enemies. The promise is real but measured by what Israel can actually sustain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 23:29
What does Exodus 23:29 mean?
God will not expel the peoples in one year to prevent the land from becoming wilderness and wild animals from multiplying.
What is the context of Exodus 23:29?
God's plan for gradual conquest and land settlement.