Deuteronomy 7:7

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:

The LORD {H3068} did not set his love {H2836} upon you, nor choose {H977} you, because ye were more {H7230} in number than any people {H5971}; for ye were the fewest {H4592} of all people {H5971}:

ADONAI didn't set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more than any other people - on the contrary, you were the fewest of all peoples.

The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.

Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples:

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:7 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 7:7 stands as a powerful declaration of God's sovereign and unconditional love for Israel, emphasizing that His choice was not based on their numerical strength or any inherent merit, but purely on His divine will and affection.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final addresses to the Israelites as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy Chapter 7, Moses reiterates the importance of obeying God's commands and warns against making covenants with the idolatrous nations inhabiting Canaan. He emphasizes that Israel's success and possession of the land depend entirely on their faithfulness to the Lord. Within this discourse, Deuteronomy 7:7-8 serves as a foundational explanation for *why* God chose Israel: not because of their greatness, but because of His steadfast love and faithfulness to the oath He swore to their fathers. This truth was crucial to instill humility and prevent future pride once they were established in the land.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereign Choice and Grace: The verse explicitly states that Israel's election was not based on their size or power. They were "the fewest of all people," underscoring that God's choice was an act of pure grace and sovereign will, independent of human merit or capability. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, highlighting that God often uses the weak and overlooked to demonstrate His power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
  • Unconditional Divine Love: The phrase "The LORD did not set his love upon you...because ye were more in number" powerfully conveys that God's love (Hebrew: *chashaq*, implying deep affection and delight) was freely given. It was an initiating, unearned love, the very foundation of their covenant relationship. This divine love is further emphasized in the following verse, Deuteronomy 7:8.
  • Humility and Anti-Pride: By reminding Israel of their insignificant status at the time of their choosing, the verse serves as a perpetual antidote to pride. It teaches them that their unique status and blessings came solely from God's benevolence, not from their own strength, wisdom, or numbers. This principle is vital for any individual or nation blessed by God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "set his love upon" is *chashaq* (חָשַׁק), which conveys a strong, binding affection, a deep desire, or delight. It's a powerful term indicating that God's choice was rooted in a profound, intentional love, not merely a utilitarian selection. The contrast between "more in number" and "the fewest of all people" starkly highlights the counter-intuitive nature of God's ways, where human insignificance becomes the canvas for divine glory.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 7:7 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our standing with God, our salvation, and our spiritual blessings are not earned through our own efforts, good deeds, or perceived worthiness. Just as Israel was chosen out of grace, so too are believers brought into God's family not by works but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This truth should cultivate deep humility, profound gratitude, and unwavering trust in God's faithful character. It encourages us to live lives that reflect His glory, not our own achievements, understanding that every good gift comes from Him.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 10:22 (6 votes)

    Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

  • Romans 9:11 (5 votes)

    (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

  • Romans 9:15 (5 votes)

    For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

  • Romans 11:6 (5 votes)

    And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

  • Psalms 115:1 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.

  • Romans 9:21 (4 votes)

    Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

  • 1 John 4:10 (4 votes)

    Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.