Deuteronomy 5:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:10 profoundly declares God's character, revealing His boundless and enduring mercy within the context of His covenant relationship with humanity. As an integral part of the re-statement of the Ten Commandments, delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, this verse stands in stark and hopeful contrast to the preceding declaration of judgment, emphasizing God's exponential willingness to extend steadfast love and compassion to countless generations of those who genuinely love Him and faithfully obey His commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 5:10 immediately follows the second commandment, which prohibits idolatry and the making of graven images, declaring God's righteous judgment upon those who hate Him, extending "unto the third and fourth generation" [Deuteronomy 5:8-9](/deuteronomy/5-8-9 "Deuteronomy 5:8-9 - The Second Commandment and God's Jealousy"). Verse 10 then presents a powerful and intentional antithesis, highlighting God's merciful nature. This deliberate juxtaposition is crucial: it underscores that while God is just in His judgment against sin, His capacity for steadfast love and grace vastly surpasses His punitive actions, extending to a vastly greater number of generations. The placement within the Decalogue emphasizes that God's character of both justice and mercy is foundational to the covenant relationship He establishes with His people, revealing His desire to bless and preserve them through faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivered this address to the second generation of Israelites, poised to enter the Promised Land, approximately 40 years after the initial covenant at Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," serves as a re-affirmation and exposition of the Mosaic Law for a new generation who did not directly experience the Exodus and Sinai. In the ancient Near East, suzerain-vassal treaties often included stipulations for loyalty and consequences for disloyalty, frequently extending to future generations. However, the divine mercy described in [Deuteronomy 5:10](/deuteronomy/5-10 "Deuteronomy 5:10 - God's Mercy to Thousands") extending to "thousands" of generations, is unparalleled in its scope and generosity compared to typical human covenants, highlighting the unique and gracious nature of Yahweh's covenant love. This context also reminds the Israelites that their future prosperity and inheritance in the land were contingent upon their covenant faithfulness and obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is a cornerstone for several major themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. It powerfully illustrates God's **abundant mercy and steadfast love (ḥesed)**, demonstrating that His grace vastly outweighs His judgment, extending across many generations. It also establishes a clear link between **genuine love for God and obedience to His commandments**, presenting obedience not as a legalistic burden but as the natural outflow of a heart devoted to Him, a principle echoed in Jesus' teaching that "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Jesus on Love and Obedience"). Furthermore, it highlights the concept of **generational blessing**, contrasting sharply with the generational curses mentioned in [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God's Jealousy and Judgment"). 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 through a legacy of covenant faithfulness, as seen in the psalmist's declaration that God's "steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments" [Psalm 103:17-18](/psalm/103-17-18 "Psalm 103:17-18 - God's Mercy to Generations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** This profound Hebrew term (H2617) is often translated as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "unfailing kindness," or "goodness." It denotes a deep, committed love that goes beyond mere sentiment to active, faithful devotion within a relationship. When applied to God, as in His self-revelation to Moses as "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - The Lord's Compassionate Character"), it speaks of His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises and His compassionate character. The use of `chêçêd` here emphasizes that God's mercy is not arbitrary but rooted in His unchanging, loyal nature.
* **Love (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** In this context, "love" (H157) is not merely an emotion but an active commitment that manifests in obedience. It signifies a profound devotion and loyalty to God, which is the foundational response to His covenant initiative. This love is the internal disposition that motivates the outward keeping of His commandments, indicating a holistic relationship of heart and action. It is the proper, grateful response to God's initiating love.
* **Keep (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** This verb (H8104) means "to watch, guard, observe, preserve, or obey." It implies careful attention, diligent adherence, and active preservation of God's commands. It's not passive acknowledgment but an intentional, consistent effort to live in accordance with God's revealed will, demonstrating the practical outworking of the love for God. It signifies a guarding of the commandments as a precious treasure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shewing mercy":** This phrase introduces the positive, gracious aspect of God's character, standing in stark contrast to the judgment described in the preceding verse. It highlights God's active disposition to extend compassion and steadfast love. The verb "shewing" (H6213, `ʻâsâh`, "to do or make") implies an ongoing, continuous act of mercy, demonstrating God's inherent nature to be gracious.
* **"unto thousands":** This is a powerful expression of hyperbole or merism (H505, `ʼeleph`, "a thousand"), signifying an immeasurable and overwhelmingly vast number of generations. It stands in stark contrast to the "third and fourth generation" mentioned in [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God's Judgment on Iniquity"), vividly illustrating that God's mercy is exponentially greater and more enduring than His judgment. It speaks to the superabundance and longevity of His grace, emphasizing His desire to bless and preserve.
* **"of them that love me":** This clause establishes the condition for receiving this abundant mercy: a genuine, active love for God. This love is not merely sentimental but a deep, covenantal affection that serves as the root of faithfulness. It indicates a reciprocal relationship where humanity's love for God is the proper response to His initiating love and covenant, a love that is active and intentional.
* **"and keep my commandments":** This final clause specifies the tangible evidence and practical outworking of that love. True love for God is demonstrated through diligent obedience to His revealed will (H4687, `mitsvâh`, "a command, the Law"). It underscores that the covenant relationship requires both an internal disposition (love) and external action (obedience), forming an inseparable whole. This obedience is the fruit of genuine affection, not a means to earn favor.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and impact. The most prominent is **Contrast**, specifically an **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the vastness of God's mercy ("thousands") is set against the limited scope of His judgment ("third and fourth generation" in [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God's Jealousy and Judgment")). This stark opposition powerfully emphasizes the superabundance of divine grace over divine wrath, highlighting God's primary disposition towards blessing. The phrase "unto thousands" also functions as **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, an intentional overstatement to convey an immeasurable quantity, underscoring the limitless and enduring nature of God's `chêçêd`. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a **Conditional Statement** by linking God's mercy to "them that love me and keep my commandments," establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship within the covenant framework. The pairing of "love me" and "keep my commandments" also forms a conceptual **Parallelism**, indicating that these two aspects are inextricably linked and represent a holistic response of covenant faithfulness, where one is the natural expression of the other.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:10 is a pivotal verse for understanding the very nature of God and the dynamics of His covenant. It reveals that while God is absolutely just and will judge sin, His primary disposition towards His people is one of boundless mercy and steadfast love. This mercy is not arbitrary but is extended within the framework of a relationship characterized by genuine love and obedient faithfulness. The verse underscores the profound truth that God desires to bless and preserve His people across generations, and that human faithfulness, rooted in love, creates a legacy of divine favor that far outlasts the consequences of rebellion. It teaches us that our response to God's holiness and covenant initiative should be one of devoted affection expressed through diligent obedience, recognizing that His commands are for our ultimate good and flourishing.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious")
* [Psalm 103:17-18](/psalm/103-17-18 "God's Everlasting Mercy for Those Who Keep His Covenant")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Jesus on Loving and Obeying Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:10 offers profound reassurance and a clear call to action for believers today. It grounds our faith in the unchanging character of God, who is overwhelmingly merciful and gracious. This truth should inspire confidence and draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, knowing that His love for us is vast and enduring, far surpassing any judgment. The verse also challenges us to examine the nature of our "love" for God. Is it merely a sentiment, or is it a vibrant, active commitment that translates into diligent obedience to His commands? True love for God is not burdensome but finds joy in aligning our lives with His will, recognizing that His commandments are for our good and flourishing, leading to true freedom and peace. Furthermore, the promise of generational blessing reminds us of the lasting impact of our spiritual choices. Our faithfulness today can establish a heritage of grace for our children and future generations, calling us to live intentionally as examples of love and obedience, sowing seeds of righteousness that will bear fruit for years to come, extending God's mercy through our lineage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between "thousands" of mercy and "third and fourth generation" of judgment shape your understanding of God's character and His priorities?**
* **In what practical ways does your "love" for God manifest in "keeping His commandments" in your daily life, and where might you grow in this area?**
* **Considering the concept of generational blessing, what spiritual legacy are you actively building for future generations in your family or community, and how does this verse inspire your efforts?**
* **How does the promise of God's abundant mercy encourage you when you face your own failures, the failures of others, or the brokenness of the world?**

### FAQ

**What does "shewing mercy unto thousands" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Shewing mercy unto thousands" is a powerful expression emphasizing the immeasurable and enduring nature of God's steadfast love (`chêçêd`). It means that God's compassion, kindness, and covenant loyalty are not limited but extend far beyond human comprehension, reaching countless generations. It stands in direct contrast to the "third and fourth generation" mentioned in [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God's Judgment on Iniquity") regarding judgment, highlighting that God's grace is infinitely more pervasive and long-lasting than His wrath. It signifies His desire to bless and preserve His people through a continuous flow of His goodness, demonstrating His abundant patience and faithfulness.

**Is God's mercy conditional on our love and obedience?**

Answer: In the context of the Old Covenant, [Deuteronomy 5:10](/deuteronomy/5-10 "Deuteronomy 5:10 - God's Mercy to Thousands") presents God's mercy as contingent upon a reciprocal relationship of love and obedience. The phrase "of them that love me and keep my commandments" indicates that while God's character is inherently merciful, the *experience* of His covenant mercy and blessing is tied to the covenant partner's faithfulness. This is not a legalistic earning of salvation, but rather the natural flourishing that occurs when a people live in harmony with the God who has already initiated the covenant in love. For the Israelites, it meant walking in the ways of the covenant to receive its blessings and avoid its curses, as outlined throughout the entire book of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy"). This conditional aspect highlights the relational nature of the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:10, with its emphasis on God's enduring mercy for those who love and obey Him, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant revealed God's `chêçêd` within the framework of the law, humanity's consistent failure to perfectly love and obey demonstrated the need for a new and better covenant. Jesus Christ perfectly embodied the love and obedience required by the law, living a life of flawless devotion to the Father, always doing "what is pleasing to him" [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father"). More significantly, His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy to "thousands"—indeed, to all who believe—not based on their earned obedience, but on His unmerited grace, for "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated"). Through Christ, the New Covenant is established, where God's law is written on hearts by the Holy Spirit, enabling a true and Spirit-empowered love and obedience, as promised: "I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts" [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"), quoting [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant"). Thus, the "thousands" who experience God's mercy are those who are united with Christ by faith, receiving His righteousness and being empowered to truly love God and keep His commandments, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a grateful heart transformed by His grace, for "We love because he first loved us" [1 John 4:19](/1-john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us").

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

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

¶ 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.