Deuteronomy 7:20

7:20 Furthermore, the Lord your God will release hornets among them until the very last ones who hide from you perish.

tn The meaning of the term translated “hornets” (צִרְעָה, tsirah) is debated. Various suggestions are “discouragement” (HALOT 1056-57 s.v.; cf. NEB, TEV, CEV “panic”; NCV “terror”) and “leprosy” (J. H. Tigay, Deuteronomy [JPSTC], 360, n. 33; cf. NRSV “the pestilence”), as well as “hornet” (BDB 864 s.v.; cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NLT). The latter seems most suitable to the verb שָׁלַח (shalakh, “send”; cf. Exod 23:28; Josh 24:12).

tn Heb “the remnant and those who hide themselves.”