Deuteronomy 7:10 - Casting out the Nations

New International Version
But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him.New Living Translation
But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him.English Standard Version
and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face.Berean Standard Bible
But those who hate Him He repays to their faces with destruction; He will not hesitate to repay to his face the one who hates Him.King James Bible
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.New King James Version
and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.New American Standard Bible
but He repays those who hate Him to their faces, to eliminate them; He will not hesitate toward him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.NASB 1995
but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.NASB 1977
but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.Legacy Standard Bible
but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to make them perish; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.Amplified Bible
but repays those who hate Him to their faces, by destroying them; He will not hesitate with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.Christian Standard Bible
But he directly pays back and destroys those who hate him. He will not hesitate to pay back directly the one who hates him.Holman Christian Standard Bible
But He directly pays back and destroys those who hate Him. He will not hesitate to directly pay back the one who hates Him. American Standard Version
and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.Contemporary English Version
But if you turn against the LORD, he will quickly destroy you. English Revised Version
and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.GOD'S WORD® Translation
But he sends destruction to pay back everyone who hates him. He never takes long to pay back anyone who hates him.Good News Translation
but he will not hesitate to punish those who hate him. International Standard Version
But for the one who hates him, he will repay him by destroying him. He will not delay dealing with someone who hates him. Majority Standard Bible
But those who hate Him He repays to their faces with destruction; He will not hesitate to repay to his face the one who hates Him.NET Bible
but who pays back those who hate him as they deserve and destroys them. He will not ignore those who hate him but will repay them as they deserve!New Heart English Bible
and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face.Webster's Bible Translation
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.World English Bible
and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and repaying to those hating Him to their face, to destroy them; He does not delay to him who is hating Him, He repays [it] to him to his face.Young's Literal Translation
and repaying to those hating Him, unto their face, to destroy them; He delayeth not to him who is hating Him -- unto his face, He repayeth to him -- Smith's Literal Translation
And recompensing to those hating him to their face to destroy him: he will not delay to him hating him to his face; he will recompense to him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And repaying forthwith them that hate him, so as to destroy them, without further delay immediately rendering to them what they deserve. Catholic Public Domain Version
and promptly repaying those who hate him, so as to utterly ruin them, without further delay, quickly rendering to them what they deserve.New American Bible
but who repays with destruction those who hate him; he does not delay with those who hate him, but makes them pay for it.New Revised Standard Version
and who repays in their own person those who reject him. He does not delay but repays in their own person those who reject him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And repays those that hate him during their lifetime; he requites them that he may destroy them; he shall not be slack to those that hate him, but he repays them during their lifetime.Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he pays His haters in their lives; he pays them to destroy them; He does not preserve His haters, but he pays them in their lives.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them; He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face.Brenton Septuagint Translation
and who recompenses them that hate him to their face, to destroy them utterly; and will not be slack with them that hate him: he will recompense them to their face.Additional Translations ...

But those who hate Him
This phrase refers to individuals or nations that reject God and His commandments. In the context of Deuteronomy, the Israelites are warned against idolatry and forming alliances with pagan nations. Hatred towards God is demonstrated through disobedience and the worship of other gods. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where love for God is shown through obedience to His commandments (John 14:15).

He repays to their faces with destruction
The direct repayment signifies God's justice and the certainty of His judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, "to their faces" implies a personal and unmistakable confrontation. This reflects the principle of divine retribution found throughout the Bible, where God holds individuals accountable for their actions (Romans 2:6). The destruction mentioned is both physical and spiritual, as seen in the fate of nations like the Canaanites, who were judged for their wickedness.

He will not hesitate to repay
This emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to justice. Unlike human judges who may delay or be swayed, God's judgment is prompt and assured. The certainty of divine retribution is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where God promises to act against those who oppose Him (Isaiah 13:11). This also serves as a warning to the Israelites to remain faithful and avoid the consequences of disobedience.

to his face the one who hates Him
The repetition underscores the personal nature of God's judgment. It is not an abstract or distant act but a direct response to personal rebellion against Him. This personal accountability is mirrored in the New Testament, where each individual must stand before God (2 Corinthians 5:10). The phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness of rejecting God and the inevitable consequences that follow.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the covenant and laws as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Canaan
The land promised to the Israelites, where they are to live according to God's commandments.

4. God
The central figure, delivering justice and maintaining His covenant with those who love Him and punishing those who hate Him.

5. Enemies of God
Those who reject God and His commandments, facing His judgment and destruction.

Teaching Points

Divine Justice
God's justice is perfect and impartial. He repays those who hate Him directly, emphasizing His sovereignty and righteousness.

The Consequences of Hatred
Hatred towards God leads to destruction. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to His commandments.

God's Patience and Judgment
While God is patient, He will not delay His judgment forever. This encourages believers to live in a way that honors God.

Covenant Faithfulness
The importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant is underscored, as blessings and protection are promised to those who love Him.

Fear of the Lord
A healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, guiding believers to live righteously and avoid the path of destruction.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 7What does "misotheism" or "misotheist" mean?Ezra 10:10 - How is this command to divorce reconcileable with other biblical teachings that appear to disapprove of divorce?If God is compassionate, how can Deuteronomy 7:1-2 condone the total destruction of other nations?Why does Deuteronomy 7:5 require the destruction of religious objects, and is there any historical proof that such widespread destruction occurred?

Verse 10. - And repayeth them that hate him to their face. The phrase, "to their face "(אל פָנָיו, to their faces), has been variously explained. It has been taken as meaning, instantly, statim, hand cunctanter (Vulgate, Gesenius); openly, manifestly, palam (Grotius, Calvin, Michaelis); during life, in hac vita (Targum, Vatab.); in their presence, in their own sight (LXX., κατὰ πρόσωπον: Rosenmüller). The last seems the best. פָנֶהּ signifies properly, front, and אֶל פָנִים, to the front, before, in presence (cf. Leviticus 9:5; Exodus 23:17). The hater of God should be repaid, so that the man should himself see and feel that he had been smitten of God (cf. Isaiah 65:6; Job 34:11; Psalm 62:13 [Psalm 62:12]). And this retribution should come speedily: He will not be slack to him that hateth him; i.e. he will not delay to repay him. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But those who hate Him
לְשֹׂנְאָ֛יו (lə·śō·nə·’āw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8130: To hate

He repays
וּמְשַׁלֵּ֧ם (ū·mə·šal·lêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their faces
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

with destruction;
לְהַאֲבִיד֑וֹ (lə·ha·’ă·ḇî·ḏōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

He will not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hesitate
יְאַחֵר֙ (yə·’a·ḥêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 309: To loiter, to procrastinate

to repay
יְשַׁלֶּם־ (yə·šal·lem-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his face
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

the one who hates Him.
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ (lə·śō·nə·’ōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8130: To hate

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