This verse is often misinterpreted as a divine mandate for indiscriminate violence or genocide against any enemies, ignoring its specific historical context within God's judgment on Canaanite nations whose 'iniquity is not yet full' (Genesis 15:16) and the regulated laws of warfare in Deuteronomy 20. Such readings overlook the unique theocratic role of Israel under the Mosaic covenant, failing to recognize that it does not authorize perpetual holy war or personal vendettas, and contradicts New Testament principles of loving enemies and pursuing peace.
Deuteronomy 31:5
King James Version (1769)
5 And the Lord shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
Moses assures the Israelites that the Lord will deliver their enemies before them, enabling obedience to His commandments in dealing with those nations. The core truth underscores God's sovereign power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of conquest for His covenant people, emphasizing that true victory arises from divine intervention rather than human strength, provided they faithfully follow His instructions as they enter the Promised Land.