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Exodus 23:27 - Divine dread precedes victory.

Exodus 23:27 - שמות 23:27

Hebrew Text

אֶת־אֵימָתִי אֲשַׁלַּח לְפָנֶיךָ וְהַמֹּתִי אֶת־כָּל־הָעָם אֲשֶׁר תָּבֹא בָּהֶם וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־כָּל־אֹיְבֶיךָ אֵלֶיךָ עֹרֶף׃

English Translation

I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thy enemies turn their backs to thee.

Transliteration

Et-emati ashalach lefanekha vehamoti et-kol-ha'am asher tavo bahem venatati et-kol-oyvekha eleikha oref.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֶת־אֵֽימָתִי֙ אֲשַׁלַּ֣ח לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְהַמֹּתִי֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּבֹ֖א בָּהֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֧י אֶת־כׇּל־אֹיְבֶ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ עֹֽרֶף׃
אֶת־אֵֽימָתִי֙ אֲשַׁלַּ֣ח לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְהַמֹּתִי֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּבֹ֖א בָּהֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֧י אֶת־כׇּל־אֹיְבֶ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ עֹֽרֶף׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Exodus 23:27) is part of Hashem's promise to Bnei Yisrael as they prepare to enter Eretz Yisrael. It follows the giving of the Torah and outlines divine assistance in conquering the land. The verse emphasizes Hashem's active role in ensuring victory over the Canaanite nations.

Explanation of Key Phrases

  • "אֶת־אֵימָתִי אֲשַׁלַּח לְפָנֶיךָ" (I will send My fear before thee): Rashi explains that Hashem will instill terror in the hearts of the Canaanite nations, weakening their resolve before Bnei Yisrael even engage in battle. The Midrash Tanchuma (Mishpatim 18) adds that this fear caused confusion and infighting among the enemies, making them vulnerable.
  • "וְהַמֹּתִי אֶת־כָּל־הָעָם" (and will destroy all the people): The Ramban notes that this refers to gradual conquest, not instantaneous annihilation, as seen in the Book of Joshua where battles were fought over time. The destruction is conditional on Bnei Yisrael's adherence to the covenant.
  • "וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־כָּל־אֹיְבֶיךָ אֵלֶיךָ עֹרֶף" (I will make all thy enemies turn their backs to thee): The Sforno interprets this as a promise that enemies will flee in disarray, symbolizing complete defeat. The Talmud (Sotah 44b) connects this to the mitzvah of mildehama (battle exemptions), where those fearful in heart would return home, further demoralizing the enemy ranks.

Theological Implications

The verse underscores the principle of divine intervention in Jewish history. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 7:15) teaches that military success depends not on human strength but on merit and trust in Hashem. This promise was contingent on Bnei Yisrael's faithfulness, as later seen in the failures when they strayed from Torah (e.g., the sin of the spies).

Moral Lessons

  • Bitachon (Trust in Hashem): The verse reinforces that victory comes from Hashem, not human power. This is a recurring theme in Nach, such as David's words to Goliath (Shmuel I 17:47).
  • Conditional Promise: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that these assurances were tied to Bnei Yisrael's spiritual state, teaching that divine support is proportional to commitment to mitzvot.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 10b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing God's intervention in battles and the fear He instills in the enemies of Israel.
📖 Sanhedrin 95a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the miraculous victories granted to Israel by God, emphasizing His role in their success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 23:27 mean when it says 'I will send my fear before thee'?
A: According to Rashi, this means that Hashem would instill a deep fear of the Israelites in the hearts of their enemies even before they arrived in battle. This divine fear would weaken their enemies and make them easier to overcome, as seen later in the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 2:9-11).
Q: Why is this promise important in the context of the Exodus?
A: This verse is part of Hashem's reassurance to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Land of Israel. The Rambam explains that these promises were meant to strengthen their faith during challenging times, showing that their success would come through divine intervention rather than military might alone.
Q: What does it mean that enemies will 'turn their backs'?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 44b) explains this as enemies fleeing in panic and confusion. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that this phrase symbolizes complete victory - enemies wouldn't just retreat temporarily, but would be utterly defeated with no ability to regroup or counterattack.
Q: How does this verse apply to our lives today?
A: The Sforno teaches that this verse reminds us that true success comes from Hashem's help. While we must make proper efforts (hishtadlut), we should recognize that ultimate victory in our challenges depends on divine assistance. This builds our trust in Hashem during difficult times.
Q: Why does the verse mention both 'fear' and actual victory?
A: The Kli Yakar explains that the 'fear' represents the psychological warfare that would weaken enemies, while the actual victories show the physical fulfillment. This two-stage process demonstrates Hashem's complete control over both human emotions and physical outcomes in battle.