Deuteronomy 7:8

KJV

But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

But because the LORD {H3068} loved {H160} you, and because he would keep {H8104} the oath {H7621} which he had sworn {H7650} unto your fathers {H1}, hath the LORD {H3068} brought you out {H3318} with a mighty {H2389} hand {H3027}, and redeemed {H6299} you out of the house {H1004} of bondmen {H5650}, from the hand {H3027} of Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, it was because ADONAI loved you, and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors, that ADONAI brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from a life of slavery under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

American Standard Version

but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 7:8 profoundly reveals the foundational reasons for God's covenantal relationship with Israel and their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This verse asserts that Israel's redemption was not earned by their merit or strength, but flowed solely from the Lord's steadfast love and His unwavering commitment to the solemn oath He swore to their patriarchs. It underscores God's sovereign power, demonstrated through a "mighty hand," in freeing His chosen people from slavery, thereby establishing His character as a God of unmerited grace, covenant faithfulness, and irresistible might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 7:8 is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. This chapter serves as a crucial theological preamble to the commands and statutes that follow, explaining *why* Israel is to obey God. Immediately preceding verse 8, Moses has explicitly stated that Israel was *not* chosen because of their numerical superiority or inherent greatness, but because the Lord set His affection upon them and chose them (see [Deuteronomy 7:7](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7 - God's Unmerited Choice")). This sets up verse 8 as the divine rationale for their election and deliverance, emphasizing God's unmerited grace as the sole impetus for His actions. The chapter then transitions into a strong warning against idolatry and intermarriage with the Canaanite nations, reinforcing the exclusive nature of Israel's covenant with Yahweh and the necessity of their complete devotion to Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the culmination of Israel's forty-year wilderness journey, with the generation that experienced the Exodus now poised to inherit Canaan. The people Moses addresses are the children of those who escaped Egypt, and the memory of their brutal servitude under Pharaoh was still a defining national experience. Egypt, at this time, was a dominant regional power, and Pharaoh was considered a divine king, whose will was absolute. The "house of bondmen" refers to the literal and oppressive slavery Israel endured in Egypt. The concept of an "oath sworn unto your fathers" harks back to the Abrahamic Covenant (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham and God's Promises")), which promised land, nationhood, and blessing to Abraham's descendants. This verse thus grounds Israel's present reality in their ancient, divinely ordained history, reminding them of the miraculous, powerful intervention that transformed them from slaves into a free people destined for a land of their own.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 7:8 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. First, it highlights **God's Unmerited Love (Ahavah)** as the ultimate basis for His relationship with Israel. Their election and redemption were not a response to their worthiness but an outflow of God's sovereign, unconditional affection, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 10:15](/deuteronomy/10-15 "Deuteronomy 10:15 - God's Affection for Israel"). Second, the verse underscores **Divine Faithfulness to the Covenant**. God's actions are explicitly linked to His determination to "keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers," demonstrating His absolute reliability and commitment to His ancient promises, particularly those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. [Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "Genesis 26:3 - God's Oath to Isaac") and [Genesis 50:24](/genesis/50-24 "Genesis 50:24 - Joseph's Prophecy of God's Faithfulness")). Third, it emphasizes **The Power of Redemption**. The phrase "brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you" signifies God's overwhelming power and irresistible force in liberating Israel from the formidable oppression of Egypt. This act of redemption is foundational to Israel's identity, as seen in the preamble to the Ten Commandments (e.g., [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The Lord Who Redeemed Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Loved (Hebrew, _'ahav_):** This verb denotes a deep, personal, and steadfast affection. In the context of God's relationship with Israel, it signifies a covenantal love, a committed devotion that is not contingent upon Israel's merit or performance but originates solely from God's sovereign will and gracious disposition. It is an active love that compels God to intervene on behalf of His beloved.
* **Mighty hand (Hebrew, יָד חֲזָקָה, _yad chazaqah_):** This is a recurring and powerful anthropomorphism throughout the Exodus narrative and beyond. "Yad" refers to the hand, symbolizing power and agency, while "chazaqah" means strong, firm, or mighty. Together, they vividly portray God's overwhelming, irresistible power and direct, forceful action in history. It emphasizes that Israel's liberation was not a result of human effort or negotiation, but a display of divine omnipotence that overcame the greatest earthly power of the time, Pharaoh and Egypt.
* **Redeemed (Hebrew, פָּדָה, _padah_):** This verb carries the connotation of liberation through a powerful act, often involving a ransom, purchase, or a strong intervention to deliver from bondage, danger, or obligation. Here, it highlights that Israel's freedom was not merely an escape but a deliberate, costly, and powerful act of divine intervention that secured their release from the "house of bondmen," transforming their status from slaves to a free people belonging to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But because the LORD loved you,"**: This initial clause establishes the primary and most profound reason for God's actions towards Israel. It unequivocally states that God's choice and subsequent deliverance of Israel were not based on any inherent worthiness or strength on their part, but solely on His unmerited, sovereign, and steadfast love. This highlights the gracious and unconditional nature of God's initiating relationship with His people.
* **"and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers,"**: This second clause provides the complementary reason for God's intervention: His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. It refers specifically to the solemn oaths made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the patriarchs) concerning their descendants becoming a great nation and inheriting the land. God's actions are thus presented as a direct fulfillment of these ancient, binding commitments, demonstrating His absolute reliability and consistency across generations.
* **"hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand,"**: This clause describes the method and power of Israel's deliverance. The phrase "mighty hand" signifies God's overwhelming strength and irresistible force. It emphasizes that Israel's liberation from Egypt was not a natural event or an outcome of human strategy, but a direct, powerful, and miraculous act of divine intervention, overcoming all human and natural obstacles.
* **"and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."**: This final clause specifies the outcome and target of God's powerful act. "Redeemed" signifies a liberation from bondage, often implying a ransom or powerful rescue. "House of bondmen" is a vivid metaphor for the oppressive slavery in Egypt, and "from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt" explicitly names the formidable human power from which God delivered His people, underscoring the magnitude of His victory over the world's mightiest empire.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 7:8 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The verse employs **Repetition** ("because... and because...") to emphatically underscore the twin motivations for God's actions: His love and His faithfulness. This rhetorical device ensures that the audience grasps the divine initiative behind their deliverance. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the phrase "mighty hand," attributing a human characteristic (a hand) to God to convey His active, powerful intervention in history, making His abstract power tangible and relatable. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism** in the structure "brought you out... and redeemed you," where two phrases convey a similar concept of liberation, reinforcing the completeness and efficacy of God's saving act. Finally, the phrase "house of bondmen" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, representing the entire oppressive system of Egyptian slavery and the nation itself, providing a concise yet potent image of the dire situation from which Israel was rescued.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 7:8 stands as a profound declaration of God's character, revealing Him as a God whose actions are rooted in unmerited grace, unwavering faithfulness, and irresistible power. It establishes the principle that salvation, whether for ancient Israel or for humanity, originates solely from God's initiative, not from human merit. This verse forms a theological bedrock for understanding the nature of covenant and redemption throughout the Bible. It teaches that God's promises are absolutely reliable, and His love is the ultimate driving force behind His redemptive plan. The Exodus, as described here, becomes the paradigmatic act of salvation, setting the stage for all future understandings of deliverance from bondage and the establishment of a people for God.

* [Exodus 19:4-6](/exodus/19-4 "Exodus 19:4-6 - God's Deliverance and Covenant with Israel")
* [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - God's Enduring Love for Israel")
* [Isaiah 43:1-3](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1-3 - God as Israel's Redeemer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 7:8 offers profound encouragement and a vital theological framework for believers today. It reminds us that our relationship with God, our salvation, and all the blessings we receive are not earned through our efforts, goodness, or religious performance, but flow entirely from His sovereign, unmerited love and unshakeable faithfulness. Just as God looked upon a small, enslaved people and chose them out of pure affection and commitment to His ancient promises, so too does He extend His saving grace to us, rescuing us from the bondage of sin, fear, and despair. This truth should ignite a deep sense of gratitude, humility, and trust within us, fostering a desire to respond to such immense love with wholehearted obedience and devotion. It assures us that if God was faithful to His covenant with Israel, He will be faithful to His promises to us, and His power to deliver is limitless, regardless of the challenges we face.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that God's love for us is unmerited impact your view of your own worth and your relationship with Him?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak?**
* **What "house of bondage" (spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial) might God be seeking to redeem you from with His "mighty hand" today?**
* **How does the historical act of God's redemption of Israel from Egypt inform your understanding of His ongoing work of salvation in the world?**

### FAQ

**Why did God choose Israel, as stated in this verse?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 7:8, especially when read with the preceding verse, [Deuteronomy 7:7](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7 - Israel's Unmerited Election"), makes it clear that God's choice of Israel was not based on their size, strength, or any inherent merit or greatness. Instead, it was purely "because the LORD loved you" and "because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers." This highlights God's sovereign, unmerited love and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises as the sole reasons for His election of Israel. It was an act of pure grace, demonstrating His character rather than their worthiness.

**What does "mighty hand" signify in the context of Israel's deliverance?**

Answer: The phrase "mighty hand" (Hebrew: _yad chazaqah_) is a powerful anthropomorphism used throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Exodus narrative. It signifies God's overwhelming, irresistible power and His direct, forceful intervention in human history. In Deuteronomy 7:8, it emphasizes that Israel's liberation from Egypt was not a result of human strength, negotiation, or chance, but a miraculous display of divine omnipotence that decisively overcame the formidable power of Pharaoh and the Egyptian empire. It underscores that God alone was the agent of their redemption.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of redemption in the New Testament?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 7:8 provides a foundational understanding of redemption that is profoundly fulfilled in the New Testament. The Old Testament redemption from physical bondage in Egypt through God's "mighty hand" foreshadows the ultimate spiritual redemption from the bondage of sin and death accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as God loved Israel and was faithful to His promises, so too did He, "because of his great love with which he loved us" ([Ephesians 2:4](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4 - God's Love for Sinners")), send His Son to redeem humanity. The "mighty hand" of God in the Exodus finds its ultimate expression in the cross and resurrection of Christ, where God's power definitively overcame sin and death, offering true freedom and a new covenant relationship with Him (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 7:8, with its profound declaration of God's unmerited love, unwavering faithfulness, and powerful redemption, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "love" that compelled the Lord to choose and redeem Israel from Egyptian bondage foreshadows the even greater love with which God "so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Just as God was faithful to His oath sworn to the patriarchs, so too in Christ, "all the promises of God find their Yes in him" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). The "mighty hand" that brought Israel out of the "house of bondmen" from Pharaoh's grasp is perfectly paralleled by the divine power of Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, has "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness")). Christ is the ultimate Redeemer, paying the ultimate price with His own blood to liberate humanity from the far more pervasive and deadly bondage of sin and death, establishing a new and eternal covenant grounded in His perfect sacrifice and resurrection power (cf. [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Thus, Deuteronomy 7:8 is not merely a historical account but a prophetic echo of the greater salvation wrought by God's love and faithfulness in Jesus Christ.

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

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 32:13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

Ephesians 2:4

¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Isaiah 43:4

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Deuteronomy 10:15

Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, [even] you above all people, as [it is] this day.