Deuteronomy 4:7

KJV

For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?

KJV (with Strong's)

For what nation {H1471} is there so great {H1419}, who hath God {H430} so nigh {H7138} unto them, as the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} is in all things that we call {H7121} upon him for?

Complete Jewish Bible

For what great nation is there that has God as close to them as ADONAI our God is, whenever we call on him?

Berean Standard Bible

For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

American Standard Version

For what great nation is there, that hath a god so nigh unto them, as Jehovah our God is whensoever we call upon him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 4:7 presents a profound rhetorical question from Moses, highlighting the unparalleled and privileged relationship between the nation of Israel and the LORD. It declares that no other people on earth has a deity as intimately near and consistently responsive to their petitions as the God of Israel. This verse underscores the unique covenantal bond and the extraordinary accessibility of Yahweh, distinguishing Israel's experience from that of all other nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 4:7 is embedded within Moses' first major address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 1-4 serve as a powerful review of their wilderness journey, God's faithfulness, and the foundational importance of the covenant established at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses is passionately urging the new generation, who did not directly experience Sinai, to remember and obey God's statutes and ordinances. The rhetorical question in verse 7 acts as a climactic affirmation of Israel's unique status, serving as both an exhortation to obedience and a profound source of national identity and pride, rooted in their divine relationship. This passage sets the stage for the detailed exposition of the Law that follows in [Deuteronomy 5-26](/deuteronomy/5 "Deuteronomy 5-26 - The Deuteronomic Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites are poised on the brink of a new era, about to enter Canaan, a land teeming with polytheistic cultures and their diverse pantheons. These pagan deities were often perceived as distant, capricious, or confined to specific geographical locations or natural phenomena. Worship involved elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and often divination to appease or manipulate these gods. In stark contrast, Deuteronomy 4:7 presents Yahweh as the one true God who is not only sovereign over all creation but also intimately involved in the lives of His chosen people. This direct, personal, and responsive relationship stood in radical opposition to the prevailing religious norms of the ancient Near East, emphasizing Israel's distinctiveness and the unique nature of their God.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 4:7 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and Israel's theological understanding. The primary theme is **God's Immanence and Accessibility**, emphasizing that the LORD is "nigh unto them," unlike the remote gods of other nations. This nearness is not merely spatial but relational, signifying an active, caring presence. Closely related is the theme of **Divine Responsiveness to Prayer**, highlighting God's readiness to hear and answer His people's calls "in all things that we call upon him for." This underscores the efficacy and centrality of direct communication with God within the covenant. Finally, the verse speaks to **Israel's Unique Privilege and Election**, presenting their relationship with God as the ultimate source of their "greatness." This divine favor is not earned by merit but is a gracious act of God's choice, establishing Israel as a distinct people among all nations, a concept echoed in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nigh (Hebrew, _qārov_):** This adjective (קָרוֹב) literally means "near," "close," or "at hand." In this context, it signifies not just physical proximity but an intimate, accessible, and involved presence. It contrasts sharply with the pagan concept of distant or indifferent deities. For Israel, God's "nearness" implied His readiness to intervene, to listen, and to act on behalf of His people, making Him uniquely available for relationship and intercession.
* **Call upon him (Hebrew, _qara'_):** The verb (קָרָא) means "to call," "to cry out," "to proclaim," or "to summon." Here, it specifically denotes the act of prayer, supplication, or invocation. The phrase "in all things that we call upon him for" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's attentiveness and responsiveness. It implies that no matter the need, the LORD is attentive and ready to engage with His people's petitions, highlighting the direct and personal nature of their communication with the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For what nation [is there so] great":** This opening phrase is a rhetorical question designed to evoke a resounding "none!" from the audience. It immediately establishes a premise of unparalleled uniqueness and greatness for Israel. This greatness is not based on military might, vast territory, or cultural achievements, but solely on their extraordinary relationship with God.
* **"who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them":** This clause provides the core reason for Israel's greatness. The emphasis is on the unparalleled immanence and accessibility of their God. Unlike the remote or localized deities of other nations, Yahweh is intimately present, available, and actively involved in the lives of His people, a hallmark of the covenant relationship.
* **"as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?":** This concluding clause specifies the nature of God's "nearness" – His consistent and comprehensive responsiveness to prayer. It highlights the efficacy and importance of direct communication with God. The phrase "in all things" underscores the breadth of God's attentiveness, implying that no petition is too small or too large for His consideration, reinforcing His personal engagement with His people.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 4:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "For what nation [is there so] great...?" This device is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphasize a self-evident truth and to engage the audience, compelling them to acknowledge Israel's unique privilege. It creates a sense of awe and profound gratitude. Furthermore, the verse uses **Hyperbole** in phrases like "so great" and "so nigh," which are exaggerations used to underscore the extraordinary and unparalleled nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. This serves to magnify God's character and His unique bond with His chosen people. Implicitly, there is also a strong **Contrast** drawn between the God of Israel and the pagan deities of surrounding nations, who were often perceived as distant, unpredictable, or limited in power and reach. This contrast highlights the distinctiveness of Yahweh's character as intimately present and responsive.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 4:7 serves as a cornerstone for understanding God's character and His covenantal relationship with humanity. It reveals a God who is not merely transcendent and sovereign over all creation, but also profoundly immanent and intimately involved in the lives of His people. This concept of divine accessibility shattered the prevailing ancient Near Eastern notions of distant, capricious gods, presenting Yahweh as uniquely near and responsive. It underscores the efficacy of prayer as a direct, personal means of communication with the Almighty, foundational to the covenant relationship. This verse also highlights Israel's unique election, not based on their merit, but on God's gracious choice to set them apart as His treasured possession, through whom He would reveal Himself to the world.

* [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession")
* [Psalm 145:18](/psalms/145-18 "Psalm 145:18 - The LORD is near to all who call on Him")
* [Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while He may be found")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 4:7 offers a timeless and profound encouragement for believers today, transcending its original context to speak to the heart of our relationship with God. It reminds us that the God of the Bible is not a distant, indifferent deity, but one who is intimately involved in our lives, readily accessible, and profoundly responsive to our prayers. This truth should ignite within us a deep sense of gratitude and privilege, motivating us to cultivate a vibrant, consistent prayer life. Knowing that God is "nigh" means we can approach Him with confidence in every circumstance, bringing our joys, fears, needs, and praises before Him without hesitation. It calls us to live in constant awareness of His presence, trusting in His attentiveness and care, and allowing this assurance to shape our daily walk, fostering both humility and boldness in our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "nearness" challenge our perceptions of Him, especially when we feel distant or unheard?**
* **In what ways can we practically cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence and accessibility in our daily lives?**
* **What does God's consistent responsiveness to our prayers reveal about His character and His profound desire for a personal relationship with us?**

### FAQ
**What makes Israel's relationship with God in Deuteronomy 4:7 so unique compared to other nations?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 4:7 highlights Israel's unique relationship with God primarily through two aspects: God's unparalleled "nearness" (immanence) and His consistent responsiveness to their prayers. Unlike the gods of other nations, who were often perceived as distant, localized, or capricious, the LORD, the God of Israel, was intimately present among His people. He was not only sovereign over all creation but also actively involved in their history and daily lives. Furthermore, He was uniquely accessible, ready to hear and answer their petitions "in all things that we call upon him for." This direct, personal, and comprehensive engagement with the divine set Israel apart, making their relationship with God a source of unmatched greatness and privilege, rooted in the covenant He graciously established with them, as described in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 4:7, while speaking of Israel's unique privilege, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "nearness" of God, which was a hallmark of the Old Covenant, is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who is "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). Through His incarnation, God did not merely draw "nigh" but became flesh, dwelling among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The accessibility to God, once mediated through priests and sacrifices, is now fully realized through Christ's singular atoning sacrifice, which grants believers direct access to the Father ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Places")). Furthermore, Jesus promised His disciples His perpetual presence, declaring, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). This divine indwelling is further actualized through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who resides within every believer, making God's presence and responsiveness a constant reality ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the privilege of having God "nigh unto them" is not merely for one nation but is extended to all who believe in Christ, who now have unhindered access to the Father through Him, able to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 145:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Psalms 34:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 73:28

But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

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?

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Psalms 46:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Isaiah 55:6

¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: