Deuteronomy 14:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

because you are a people set apart as holy for ADONAI your God. ADONAI your God has chosen you to be his own unique treasure out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible:

for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

American Standard Version:

For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, and Jehovah hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For thou art an holy^{H6918} people^{H5971} unto the LORD^{H3068} thy God^{H430}, and the LORD^{H3068} hath chosen^{H977} thee to be a peculiar^{H5459} people^{H5971} unto himself, above all the nations^{H5971} that are upon^{H6440} the earth^{H127}.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 14:2

Deuteronomy 14:2 is part of the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Torah and the Old Testament of the Bible. This verse is situated within a series of laws and instructions given by Moses to the Israelites as they are encamped east of the Jordan River, preparing to enter the Promised Land.

**Themes:**

1. **Holy People**: The verse emphasizes the unique status of the Israelites as a people set apart for God. They are called to live in a way that reflects their relationship with the holy and righteous God of Israel.

2. **Divine Election**: The idea of being "chosen" is central to Israel's identity. God's election of Israel is not based on their size or merit but on God's love and faithfulness to the covenant promises made to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

3. **Distinctiveness**: The Israelites are to be "peculiar" or distinct from other nations. This distinctiveness is to be manifested in their religious practices, moral conduct, and social interactions, as outlined throughout the Pentateuch.

4. **Moral and Ritual Purity**: The surrounding chapters contain laws regarding diet, tithes, and religious festivals, which serve to maintain the purity and holiness of the nation.

**Historical Context:**

Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter Canaan, the land promised to their forefathers. This was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as they transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle in the wilderness to becoming a settled nation in their own land.

The book is set in the context of a new generation that had not experienced Egyptian slavery or the initial exodus. Moses, who would not enter the Promised Land due to his own disobedience, sought to impress upon this generation the importance of faithfulness to God's laws and the uniqueness of their covenant relationship with Him.

In summary, Deuteronomy 14:2 underscores the themes of holiness, divine election, and the call for Israel to be a distinct people, living according to God's laws as they prepare to inhabit the land of Canaan. This verse reflects the broader purpose of Deuteronomy, which is to provide a framework for Israel's religious and moral life in the land they are about to possess.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6918
   There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָדוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: qâdôwsh
   Pronunciation: kaw-doshe'
   Description: or קָדֹשׁ; from קָדַשׁ; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary; holy (One), saint.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H977
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּחַר
   Transliteration: bâchar
   Pronunciation: baw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5459
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סְגֻלָּה
   Transliteration: çᵉgullâh
   Pronunciation: seg-ool-law'
   Description: feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up); jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
8. Strong's Number: H127
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼădâmâh
   Pronunciation: ad-aw-maw'
   Description: from אָדַם; soil (from its general redness); country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land.