שמות, פרק כ״ג, פסוק כ״ג

As the desert journey draws to a close, attention turns toward entering and conquering the Land of Israel, accompanied by a firm promise of divine help against the local inhabitants. Leading the way into the land is a designated messenger, whose exact identity is understood in several ways. Some view him as a human prophet [שד״ל, רלב״ג], perhaps specifically Joshua, who served as God's agent to bring the Israelites into their new home [שפתי כהן]. Others identify this figure as the heavenly angel Michael [שפתי כהן]. Another perspective suggests that the nature of this leadership was intentionally left vague; whether God Himself would lead the people or send an angel depended entirely on the spiritual state and actions of that specific generation [העמק דבר]. Regardless of his identity, the messenger's primary role is to guide the people forward, and he does not overlook or forgive the offenses of the enemy nations [ספורנו].

The Israelites are told they will encounter six specific nations, though a seventh group, the Girgashites, is notably absent from the warning. This omission occurred either because they were the smallest of the nations and did not warrant a mention [אבן עזרא, חזקוני], or because they voluntarily chose to leave the land, meaning the Israelites never had to fight them at all [רבנו בחיי].

A clear distinction is drawn between the duties of the messenger and the actions of God. While the messenger is responsible for bringing the people into the land, the total eradication of the enemy nations is reserved for God alone [שד״ל]. This destruction represents a complete end to their existence, with God either eliminating each nation individually [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רש״ר הירש] or wiping them all out together as a single entity [קאסוטו].

This eradication is not merely a physical defeat but a profound spiritual dismantling. God will destroy the spiritual roots and heavenly representatives of these nations, a supreme task that an angel is incapable of performing [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, the simple introduction of the Israelites' holiness into the land will naturally drain the life force from the local nations, leaving them entirely powerless to stand their ground [אור החיים].

Despite this assured victory, the physical disappearance of the nations may happen gradually. This slow process creates a significant vulnerability, as the Israelites might blend in and adopt the local practices. Because of this lingering threat, strict warnings against idol worship immediately follow the promise of conquest [רש״ר הירש, מלבי״ם, רלב״ג].