Deuteronomy 7:22

Hebrew Aleppo Codex Bible

כב ונשל יהוה אלהיך את הגוים האל מפניך--מעט מעט  לא תוכל כלתם מהר פן תרבה עליך חית השדה

What Does This Mean?

This verse says that God will help the Israelites gradually defeat other nations, but they should not do it all at once. This is to avoid problems like wild animals becoming too numerous. Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they enter the promised land.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're cleaning up a big mess in your room. If you clean everything too fast, you might miss some spots or get tired quickly. Instead, God tells the Israelites to clean up slowly, so they can keep things under control and avoid other problems.

Historical Background

Moses wrote this part of Deuteronomy around 1250 BC, shortly before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The Israelites had just escaped Egypt and were preparing to conquer the land of Canaan, which was inhabited by various nations.

Living It Out Today

In our lives, we often face tasks that seem overwhelming. This verse reminds us to tackle problems step by step. For example, if you have a big project at work, breaking it into smaller tasks can help you manage it better and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Topics

• faith
• conquest
• God's plan
• gradual change
• obedience
• wildlife management

Related Verses

• Exodus 23:29-30
• Joshua 11:20
• Numbers 33:52
• Psalms 105:35
• Matthew 13:24-30

Recommended Reading

Commentary Deuteronomy Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Aleppo Codex Bible Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God tell the Israelites to take over the land gradually?

God tells the Israelites to take over the land gradually to prevent chaos and to ensure that they can manage the land effectively without other issues like wildlife becoming a problem.

What does 'lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee' mean?

This phrase means that if the Israelites take over the land too quickly, there may be an increase in wild animals due to a lack of human control over the land.

How does this verse relate to the Israelites' journey?

This verse is part of Moses' final speech to the Israelites, reminding them of God's promise and plan to help them gradually conquer the land of Canaan, which they were about to enter.

What can we learn from this verse in terms of problem-solving?

We can learn that tackling problems step by step can be more effective than trying to solve everything at once, as it allows for better management and control.