2 Samuel 7:23

And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people, [even] like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, [from] the nations and their gods?

And what one {H259} nation {H1471} in the earth {H776} is like thy people {H5971}, even like Israel {H3478}, whom God {H430} went {H1980} to redeem {H6299} for a people {H5971} to himself, and to make {H7760} him a name {H8034}, and to do {H6213} for you great things {H1420} and terrible {H3372}, for thy land {H776}, before {H6440} thy people {H5971}, which thou redeemedst {H6299} to thee from Egypt {H4714}, from the nations {H1471} and their gods {H430}?

Who can be compared with your people, with Isra'el? What other nation on earth did God set out to redeem and make into a people for himself? You made yourself a reputation by doing for your land things that even for you are great and terrifying, for the sake of your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt and from other nations and from their gods.

And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem unto himself for a people, and to make him a name, and to do great things for you, and terrible things for thy land, before thy people, whom thou redeemedst to thee out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 7:23

King David's profound prayer of thanksgiving in 2 Samuel 7 follows God's magnificent covenant promise to him, often called the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This verse is part of David's humble and awe-filled response, where he reflects on God's unparalleled faithfulness and mighty acts throughout Israel's history. He marvels at Israel's unique status among all nations, a status granted solely by God's choice and redemptive power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Israel's Unique Identity: The verse emphasizes that no other nation on earth is like Israel. This distinctiveness stems directly from God's personal involvement in their history, setting them apart as His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6).
  • Divine Redemption: Central to Israel's identity is God's act of redeeming them from slavery in Egypt. This foundational event, the Exodus, serves as the ultimate proof of God's power and His commitment to His people. He did not just free them, but "redeemed" them for Himself, making them His special possession.
  • God's Renown and Mighty Acts: God's purpose in redeeming Israel was not only for their benefit but also "to make him a name." His "great things and terrible" (awe-inspiring or wondrous acts) displayed His power to the surrounding nations and their gods, establishing His supreme authority.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: David's prayer underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, from the initial call of Abraham (Genesis 12:2) to the establishment of Israel in the land, and now, the promise of an eternal dynasty for David.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great things and terrible" (KJV) or "great and awesome deeds" (ESV) comes from the Hebrew words gadol (great) and norah (terrible, dreadful, awe-inspiring). Norah doesn't necessarily imply evil or frightening terror, but rather deeds that inspire profound awe, reverence, and even fear due to their immense power and divine origin. It refers to God's mighty acts that cause amazement and wonder, such as the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the conquest of Canaan.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers today of God's unchanging character and His redemptive power. Just as He acted mightily for ancient Israel, He continues to work in the lives of His people. For Christians, the ultimate act of redemption is through Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from the power of sin and death, making us His own people (Ephesians 1:7). We are called to reflect on God's "great and awesome deeds" in our own lives and in salvation history, giving Him all the glory and recognizing His unique position above all other "gods" or idols of this world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 9:26

    I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

  • Deuteronomy 10:21

    He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

  • Deuteronomy 33:29

    Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

  • Psalms 147:20

    He hath not dealt so with any nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 15:15

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

  • Psalms 111:9

    He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend [is] his name.

  • Nehemiah 1:10

    Now these [are] thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
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