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Book of Exodus - Chapter 23 - Verse 31

23:31
And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Meaning

This verse from the Book of Exodus, specifically Exodus 23:31, provides a promise and instruction from God to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The boundaries outlined in the verse, from the Red Sea to the Sea of Philistines, and from the desert to the river, indicate the vast extent of the land that God has promised to give to His people. The mention of delivering the inhabitants of the land into the Israelites' hands signifies God's assurance of victory in conquering the land and driving out its current residents. This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant with the Israelites and His commitment to fulfilling His promises. It also conveys the idea of divine assistance and intervention in the Israelites' journey to claim the land that God has designated for them.

Theological Overview

One possible theological interpretation of this verse could be that it reflects God's promise to the Israelites to give them a specific territory as part of the fulfillment of his covenant with them. The mention of setting bounds from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, from the desert to the river, signifies God's intention to establish clear borders for the Israelites. This assurance of land was integral to the Israelites' identity as a nation and plays a significant role throughout the Bible, especially in the establishment of the Promised Land. Additionally, the language of delivering the inhabitants of the land into the Israelites' hands highlights God's role as a divine warrior who fights on behalf of his people. The Israelites are instructed to drive out the inhabitants before them, which could be seen as a command to establish God's rule and sovereignty in the land he has allocated to them. Through this verse, God's faithfulness to his promises and his provision for his people are evident.

American Standard Version

And I will set thy border from the Red Sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness unto the River: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
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