Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. New Living Translation “You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you. English Standard Version And you shall consume all the peoples that the LORD your God will give over to you. Your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. Berean Standard Bible You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Berean Literal Bible And you shall destroy all the peoples whom YHWH your God will deliver over to you. Your eye shall not have pity on them, nor shall you serve their gods, for it is a snare to you. King James Bible And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. New King James Version Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. New American Standard Bible You shall consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God will turn over to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. NASB 1995 “You shall consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God will deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. NASB 1977 “And you shall consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God will deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. Legacy Standard Bible And you shall consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God will give over to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. Amplified Bible And you shall consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God will give over to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a [deadly] trap to you. Berean Annotated Bible You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Christian Standard Bible You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God is delivering over to you and not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God is delivering over to you and not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.” American Standard Version And thou shalt consume all the peoples that Jehovah thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. Contemporary English Version When the LORD helps you defeat your enemies, you must destroy them without pity! And don't get trapped into worshiping their gods. English Revised Version And thou shalt consume all the peoples which the LORD thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation You must destroy all the people the LORD your God hands over to you. Have no pity on them, and never worship their gods, because they will be a trap for you. Good News Translation Destroy every nation that the LORD your God places in your power, and do not show them any mercy. Do not worship their gods, for that would be fatal. International Standard Version You are to utterly destroy everyone whom the LORD your God will deliver to you. Don't have pity on them nor serve their gods. Otherwise, they will become a snare for you." NET Bible You must destroy all the people whom the LORD your God is about to deliver over to you; you must not pity them or worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. New Heart English Bible You shall consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God shall deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them: neither shall you serve their gods; for that will be a snare to you. Webster's Bible Translation And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver to thee; thy eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare to thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. World English Bible You shall consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God shall deliver to you. Your eye shall not pity them. You shall not serve their gods; for that would be a snare to you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have consumed all the peoples whom your God YHWH is giving to you; your eye has no pity on them, and you do not serve their gods, for it [is] a snare to you. Berean Literal Bible And you shall destroy all the peoples whom YHWH your God will deliver over to you. Your eye shall not have pity on them, nor shall you serve their gods, for it is a snare to you. Young's Literal Translation And thou hast consumed all the peoples whom Jehovah thy God is giving to thee; thine eye hath no pity on them, and thou dost not serve their gods, for a snare it is to thee. Smith's Literal Translation And thou didst consume all the peoples which Jehovah thy God gave to thee; thine eye shall not have pity upon them, and thou shalt not serve their gods, for it is a snare to thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt consume all the people, which the Lord thy God will deliver to thee. Thy eye shall not spare them, neither shalt thou serve their gods, lest they be thy ruin. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall devour all the peoples, which the Lord your God will deliver to you. Your eye shall not spare them, neither shall you serve their gods, lest they be your ruin. New American Bible You shall consume all the peoples which the LORD, your God, is giving over to you. You are not to look on them with pity, nor serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. New Revised Standard Version You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall consume all the peoples that the LORD your God shall deliver to you; your eye shall have no pity upon them; neither shall you serve their gods; for they are a snare to you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you will devour all the nations that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives to you and your eye will not have pity upon them, neither shall you serve their gods, because they are a trap to you. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And thou shalt consume all the peoples that the LORD thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them; neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt eat all the spoils of the nations which the Lord thy God gives thee; thine eye shall not spare them, and thou shalt not serve their gods; for this is an offence to thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Promises of God…15And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you. 16You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. 17You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?”… Cross References You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Deuteronomy 20:16-18 However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, / so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. Joshua 11:14 The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they put all the people to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Do not look on them with pity. Deuteronomy 13:8 you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. Deuteronomy 19:13 You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. Deuteronomy 25:12 you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity. Do not worship their gods, Exodus 23:24 You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces. Joshua 23:7 So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them. Exodus 34:15-16 Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. for that will be a snare to you. Exodus 23:33 They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” Judges 2:3 So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.” Joshua 23:13 know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you. Numbers 33:52-56 you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places. / You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. / And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers. … Joshua 23:12-13 For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you. Judges 2:2-3 and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.” Psalm 106:34-36 They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. Treasury of Scripture And you shall consume all the people which the LORD your God shall deliver you; your eye shall have no pity on them: neither shall you serve their gods; for that will be a snare to you. consume Deuteronomy 7:2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: thine eye Deuteronomy 13:8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: Deuteronomy 19:13,21 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee… Deuteronomy 25:12 Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her. for that will Deuteronomy 12:30,31 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise… Exodus 23:33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee. Exodus 34:12-16 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: … Jump to Previous Cause Consume Consumed Deliver Destroy Destruction Eye Hands Peoples Pity Serve Sin Snare Spare Worship YouJump to Next Cause Consume Consumed Deliver Destroy Destruction Eye Hands Peoples Pity Serve Sin Snare Spare Worship YouDeuteronomy 7 1. All communion with the nations is forbidden5. for fear of idolatry, 6. for the holiness of the people, 9. for the nature of God in his mercy and justice, 17. and for the assuredness of victory which God will give over them. You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. This command was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The destruction of these peoples was not an act of unwarranted aggression but a divine judgment against nations that had reached the fullness of their iniquity (Genesis 15:16). The Canaanites were known for practices such as child sacrifice and idolatry, which were abominations to God. This command also served to protect Israel from being led astray by the pagan practices of these nations. Theologically, this reflects God's holiness and justice, as well as His desire for His people to remain pure and devoted to Him alone. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are being instructed by Moses in this passage as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who commands the Israelites to destroy the nations in the Promised Land. 3. The Canaanite Nations The peoples inhabiting the Promised Land, whom God commands the Israelites to destroy to prevent idolatry. 4. Moses The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's commandments to the people. 5. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites are called to complete obedience, which includes difficult tasks. This teaches us the importance of following God's commands fully, even when they are challenging. The Danger of Idolatry The command to destroy the nations is rooted in the danger of idolatry. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing modern-day idols from our lives, whether they be material possessions, relationships, or ideologies that take precedence over God. God's Sovereignty and Justice The command reflects God's sovereign right to judge nations. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice. Separation from Sin The Israelites were to be distinct from the nations around them. As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining a distinct identity in Christ. Trust in God's Deliverance The Israelites were assured of victory because God would deliver their enemies into their hands. We can trust in God's power and faithfulness to deliver us from spiritual battles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 7:16?2. How does Deuteronomy 7:16 instruct us to deal with modern-day idolatry? 3. What does "show them no mercy" reveal about God's view on sin? 4. How can we apply the command to "destroy all the peoples" today spiritually? 5. How does Deuteronomy 7:16 connect with Ephesians 6:12 about spiritual warfare? 6. What practical steps can we take to avoid being "ensnared" by worldly influences? 7. How does Deuteronomy 7:16 align with the concept of a loving God? 8. Why does Deuteronomy 7:16 command the destruction of other nations? 9. What historical context explains the command in Deuteronomy 7:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 7? 11. How can Deuteronomy 7:16’s promise of victory over enemies be reconciled with records of Israel’s military setbacks in other biblical accounts? 12. If God is compassionate, how can Deuteronomy 7:1-2 condone the total destruction of other nations? 13. Where is the historical or archeological evidence supporting the annihilation of the seven nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1? 14. What is the Bible's perspective on wealth? What Does Deuteronomy 7:16 Mean You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you“ You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you.” • In context (Deuteronomy 7:1–5) God is preparing Israel to enter Canaan. His command is literal: every nation listed is to be completely removed (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18; Exodus 23:23-24; Joshua 6–11). • The purpose is twofold: – Judgment on persistent, unrepentant wickedness (Genesis 15:16; Leviticus 18:24-25). – Protection of Israel’s covenant purity so the promised Messiah could come through an undefiled people (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). • God’s authority is absolute; Israel is simply the instrument of His righteous verdict (Romans 9:14-18). • Application today: while believers do not wield the sword against nations, we are called to put to death every trace of sin in our lives (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5-10). Do not look on them with pity “ Do not look on them with pity.” • Mercy toward what God has condemned becomes disobedience (1 Samuel 15:3, 9-23). • Pity easily morphs into tolerance, then acceptance; the slippery slope is real (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). • God’s call is decisive, not cruel; it recognizes the lethal infection of sin (Hebrews 10:31). • Personal take-away: we resist feelings that glamorize or excuse habits, relationships, or ideologies God forbids (Matthew 5:29-30). Do not worship their gods “ Do not worship their gods.” • Idolatry is spiritual adultery (Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 6:14-15). • False worship reshapes morals and culture; what a people adore determines how they live (Psalm 115:4-8). • New-covenant believers face modern idols—career, entertainment, self (1 John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:5). • Separation from idolatry safeguards fellowship with God (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). for that will be a snare to you “ for that will be a snare to you.” • A snare captures gradually; idolatry entangles hearts before it ruins lives (Judges 2:1-3; Psalm 106:34-39). • Compromise today, captivity tomorrow—a pattern seen throughout Israel’s history and still evident (Proverbs 29:25; James 4:4). • God warns because He loves; He exposes traps before we step in them (John 8:31-36). • Vigilance and continual cleansing keep the believer free (1 Corinthians 10:12-14; Hebrews 12:1-2). summary Deuteronomy 7:16 commands total eradication of Canaanite influence—people, pity, and pagan worship—because any allowance would ensnare Israel and threaten God’s redemptive plan. The verse underscores God’s righteous judgment on sin, His zeal for His people’s holiness, and the peril of compromise. For us, the call is to ruthlessly eliminate sin, refuse sentimental tolerance of evil, reject every modern idol, and stay alert to spiritual traps, walking in the freedom and purity Christ secured. (16) Thou shalt consume (literally, eat up) all the people which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee.--When delivered to Israel, they are delivered for execution; but the time of delivery is in the hand of Jehovah. (Comp. the words of Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 14:9 : "They are bread for us: their shadow is departed from them, and the Lord is with us.")Verses 16-26. - The heathen they were utterly to extirpate from the land which God was about to give them; mighty as these nations were, they were not to be afraid of them, for God would be with his people, and would deliver these nations, with their kings, into their hands. Not all at once, however, should the former occupants of the country be driven out; this should be done by degrees, lest, the land being suddenly depopulated, the wild animals would increase too much, so as to be a source of danger and trouble to the settlers; but ultimately they should be utterly destroyed, and with them all the objects and implements of their idolatrous worship. Verse 16. - And thou shalt consume; literally, eat, devour (וְאָכַלְתָּ). Unless they consumed them as one consumes food, they would be a snare to them, by tempting them to join in their idolatry.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must destroyוְאָכַלְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·ḵal·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 398: To eat all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the peoples הָֽעַמִּ֗ים (hā·‘am·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative will deliver נֹתֵ֣ן (nō·ṯên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set to you. לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew Do not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no look on them עֵֽינְךָ֖ (‘ê·nə·ḵā) Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain with pity. תָחֹ֥ס (ṯā·ḥōs) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2347: To pity, look upon with compassion Do not וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no worship תַעֲבֹד֙ (ṯa·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave their gods, אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction that ה֖וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are will be a snare מוֹקֵ֥שׁ (mō·w·qêš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare to לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew you. ס (s) Punctuation Strong's Hebrew Links Deuteronomy 7:16 NIVDeuteronomy 7:16 NLT Deuteronomy 7:16 ESV Deuteronomy 7:16 NASB Deuteronomy 7:16 KJV Deuteronomy 7:16 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 7:16 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 7:16 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 7:16 French Bible Deuteronomy 7:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 7:16 You shall consume all the peoples whom (Deut. 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