Deuteronomy 5:10

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

And shewing {H6213} mercy {H2617} unto thousands {H505} of them that love {H157} me and keep {H8104} my commandments {H4687}.

but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey my mitzvot.

but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:10 stands as a profound declaration of God's character, revealing His boundless mercy within the context of His covenant relationship with humanity. This verse is an integral part of the re-statement of the Ten Commandments, delivered by Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab before they entered the Promised Land.

Context

Deuteronomy 5:10 specifically follows the second commandment (Deuteronomy 5:7-9), which prohibits idolatry and the making of graven images. Verse 9 speaks of God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children "unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." Verse 10 offers a stark and hopeful contrast, emphasizing God's willingness to show mercy to "thousands" of those who love Him and keep His commandments. This highlights that while God is just in His judgment, His mercy is exponentially greater and more enduring.

Key Themes

  • God's Abundant Mercy: The phrase "shewing mercy unto thousands" powerfully conveys the vastness and longevity of God's grace. It signifies that His compassion and steadfast love far outweigh His judgment, extending across many generations.
  • Love and Obedience: The condition for receiving this mercy is clear: "them that love me and keep my commandments." This verse links genuine love for God directly to obedience to His will. It's not merely outward compliance but a heart posture that delights in following God's ways. Jesus reiterates this principle, stating, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
  • Generational Blessing: In contrast to the generational consequences of disobedience mentioned in the preceding verse, God's mercy is promised to "thousands" of generations. This underscores the enduring positive impact of faithfulness on families and future descendants, a testament to God's desire to bless and preserve His people.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: This verse is a cornerstone of God's covenant with Israel, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to those who remain loyal to Him. It establishes the principles by which the covenant relationship will flourish, emphasizing both divine expectation and divine provision.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mercy" used here is chesed (Χ—ΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ“), which is a rich and profound term. It often translates as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "unfailing kindness," or "goodness." It denotes a deep, committed love that goes beyond mere sentiment to active, faithful devotion. When applied to God, as in Exodus 34:6, it speaks of His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises and His compassionate character. The contrast between "thousands" (for mercy) and "third and fourth generation" (for judgment) vividly illustrates the superabundance of God's grace.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 5:10 offers timeless truths for believers today:

  • It reassures us of God's fundamental nature as merciful and gracious, encouraging us to approach Him with confidence and trust.
  • It underscores the importance of a love for God that translates into obedience, not as a burdensome duty, but as a joyful response to His goodness.
  • It highlights the lasting impact of our spiritual choices, reminding us that faithfulness to God can bring blessings not only to ourselves but also to our children and future generations. We are called to live in such a way that our legacy is one of love for God and obedience to His Word, contributing to a heritage of spiritual flourishing as seen in Psalm 103:17-18.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:28

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

  • 1 John 1:7

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • Jeremiah 32:18

    Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is] his name,

  • Deuteronomy 6:5

    And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

  • Deuteronomy 6:6

    And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Matthew 7:21

    ΒΆ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
← Back