I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While God promises to drive out the nations, the focus is not just on His power, but on His agency. He specifically says "I will drive out," emphasizing that this victory belongs to Him, not to Israel's strength, and it's accomplished through the angel He sends.
I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the devastating sin of the golden calf and God's declaration that He wouldn't go with them into the Promised Land, Moses intercedes intensely for the people. In response, God agrees not to consume them but states He will send an angel ahead to drive out the Canaanite nations and give them the land. However, God also makes it clear that His own presence will not go with them as it had before, a stark contrast that deeply troubles Moses and the people.
God promises to send an angel, but is it just any angel? And what does this mean for God's presence with His people?
In Exodus 33:2, God says, 'I will send an angel before you.' This is a crucial distinction from earlier promises where God Himself, or 'my angel' which represented His very presence, would go with them.
A Shift in Divine Action
Why the Change?
This shift signifies a consequence of the people's sin (the golden calf incident). While God still commits to bringing them to the land and driving out their enemies, His direct, personal presence, which had been a hallmark of their journey, is now held back as a disciplinary measure. This isn't a rejection, but a recalibration of their relationship, emphasizing the seriousness of their covenant breach.
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God promises to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. What does this act reveal about His character and His plan for His people?
The second part of Exodus 33:2 states God's intention: 'I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.' This is more than just clearing the land; it's a declaration of divine justice and a promise of provision.
The Just Removal of Sin
The Canaanite nations were deeply entrenched in wicked practices, including idolatry and violence. God's judgment upon them was a righteous act to cleanse the land and prevent His own people from falling into similar corruption. The detailed list of nations highlights the thoroughness of God's intended action.
A Promise of Future Possession
Even though God's direct presence is being withheld due to the people's sin, the promise to remove the inhabitants and give them the land remains. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He will fulfill His word, even when His people falter.
God's Action, Not Ours
It's crucial to see that God is the one doing the driving out. While Israel will eventually possess the land, the initial conquest and removal of these peoples is presented as God's work, accomplished through the angel He sends. This underscores that God's promises are secured by His power, not by human merit.
Understand the original words
malʾākh · Hebrew Noun
A heavenly messenger sent by God to perform a specific task, serve as an agent of divine presence, or act as a mediator.
This verse promises that through Abraham's offspring, all peoples on earth will be blessed. It sets the stage for God's plan to use Israel, despite their failings, to bring blessing to the world, a plan that requires clearing the land of its inhabitants.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage reiterates God's promise to drive out the nations before Israel and describes them as more numerous and mightier than Israel. It highlights that the expulsion of the Canaanites is a divine act, not solely dependent on Israel's strength.
Joshua 3:9-13This passage shows the fulfillment of the promise as the Israelites cross the Jordan River. It emphasizes that God is actively with them, driving out the inhabitants and giving them the land, echoing the promise made in Exodus 33:2.
Psalm 78:54-55This psalm reflects on God's faithfulness in bringing Israel into the promised land and driving out the nations. It serves as a reminder of God's power and the fulfillment of His covenant promises, even after Israel's disobedience.
Hebrews 4:8This New Testament passage contrasts Joshua's leadership in bringing Israel into a physical rest with the greater spiritual rest Jesus offers. It implicitly acknowledges the fulfillment of God's promise in Exodus 33:2 to give them the land, but points to a deeper, eternal rest.
cambridgeExodus 33:2: "And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:"
2 . an angel ] in the place of Jehovah, and exclusive of Him (see v. 3): not, therefore, as Exodus 23:20 , where Jehovah is in some sense present in the angel ( v. 21 ‘my name is in him’). As was remarked on Exodus 32:34 , this is not the usual idea of the ‘angel’: it can, however, be avoided here only by some such supposition as…
gillExodus 33:2: "And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:"
And I will send an angel before thee,.... Not the angel before promised, Exodus 23:20 the Angel of his presence, the eternal Word and Son of God, but a created angel; and so Aben Ezra observes, he does not say the Angel that was known, that his name was in him; though even this was to be looked upon as a favour, and showed that h…
While God promises to drive out the nations, the focus is not just on His power, but on His agency. He specifically says "I will drive out," emphasizing that this victory belongs to Him, not to Israel's strength, and it's accomplished through the angel He sends.
After the devastating sin of the golden calf and God's declaration that He wouldn't go with them into the Promised Land, Moses intercedes intensely for the people. In response, God agrees not to consume them but states He will send an angel ahead to drive out the Canaanite nations and give them the land. However, God also makes it clear that His own presence will not go with them as it had before, a stark contrast that deeply troubles Moses and the people.
After the devastating sin of the golden calf and God's declaration that He wouldn't go with them into the Promised Land, Moses intercedes intensely for the people. In response, God agrees not to consume them but states He will send an angel ahead to drive out the Canaanite nations and give them the land. However, God also makes it clear that His own presence will not go with them as it had before, a stark contrast that deeply troubles Moses and the people.
"I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites." — While God promises to drive out the nations, the focus is not just on His power, but on His agency. He specifically says "I will drive out," emphasizing that this victory belongs to Him, not to Israe…
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Last reviewed October 2026