Exodus 23:29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.

◄ Exodus 23:29 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.

English Standard Version
I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you.

New American Standard Bible
"I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will not drive them out ahead of you in a single year; otherwise, the land would become desolate, and wild animals would multiply against you.

International Standard Version
I won't drive them out before you in a single year, so that the land does not become desolate and so that wild animals do not overrun you.

American Standard Version
I will not drive them out from before thee in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the beasts of the field multiply against thee.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I will not cast them out from thy face in one year: lest the land be brought into a wilderness, and the beasts multiply against thee.

Darby Bible Translation
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.

Young's Literal Translation
I cast them not out from before thee in one year, lest the land be a desolation, and the beast of the field hath multiplied against thee;

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

23:20-33 It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise, Behold, I send an angel before thee, mine angel. The precept joined with this promise is, that they be obedient to this angel whom God would send before them. Christ is the Angel of Jehovah; this is plainly taught by St. Paul, 1Co 10:9. They should have a comfortable settlement in the land of Canaan. How reasonable are the conditions of this promise; that they should serve the only true God; not the gods of the nations, which are no gods at all. How rich are the particulars of this promise! The comfort of their food, the continuance of their health, the increase of their wealth, the prolonging their lives to old age. Thus hath godliness the promise of the life that now is. It is promised that they should subdue their enemies. Hosts of hornets made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God use for chastising his people's enemies. In real kindness to the church, its enemies are subdued by little and little; thus we are kept on our guard, and in continual dependence on God. Corruptions are driven out of the hearts of God's people, not all at once, but by little and little. The precept with this promise is, that they should not make friendship with idolaters. Those that would keep from bad courses, must keep from bad company. It is dangerous to live in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be our snares. Our greatest danger is from those who would make us sin against God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

29, 30. I will not drive … out … in one year; lest the land become desolate—Many reasons recommend a gradual extirpation of the former inhabitants of Canaan. But only one is here specified—the danger lest, in the unoccupied grounds, wild beasts should inconveniently multiply; a clear proof that the promised land was more than sufficient to contain the actual population of the Israelites.