Deuteronomy 10 15

Deuteronomy 10:15 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 10:15 nkjv

The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 10:15 niv

Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations?as it is today.

Deuteronomy 10:15 esv

Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.

Deuteronomy 10:15 nlt

Yet the LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today.

Deuteronomy 10 verses

Deuteronomy 10 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 10:15 declares that the Lord's unique relationship with Israel was not based on their merit or anything inherent in them, but rather stemmed solely from His sovereign, deep affection and love for their ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This divine preference and choice then extended unconditionally to their descendants, singling out the nation of Israel above all other peoples of the earth, a truth that remained evident at the time Moses spoke these words. It underscores the unmerited grace and steadfast fidelity of God.

Deuteronomy 10 15 Context

Deuteronomy 10:15 falls within a broader discourse by Moses, reminding Israel of God's commands and character as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land. Chapter 10 immediately follows Moses's recount of Israel's grievous sin with the golden calf (Deut 9), God's fierce anger, and Moses's intercession. The passage in Deut 10:12-22 transitions from Israel's past failures and God's unwavering faithfulness (exemplified by the second set of tablets and the continued priestly role) to a passionate call for ethical obedience. Verse 15 serves as the basis for this call. It anchors Israel's obligations in God's unprovoked and ancient love, emphasizing that their relationship with the Almighty is one of pure grace, not merit. This deep, historical love of God is the foundational motivation for them to love and serve Him in return (v. 12), to fear Him, and to circumcise their hearts (v. 16), forsaking all idolatry and injustice.

Historically, this address is given by Moses to the second generation of Israelites who were about to enter Canaan. The memory of God's deliverance and their parents' rebellion was fresh. The message reinforces the continuity of God's covenant with them, even after their past unfaithfulness, solidifying their identity as a chosen people for a specific divine purpose.

Deuteronomy 10 15 Word analysis

• Yet the Lord:
  • Highlights a stark contrast. Despite Israel's rebellious nature and unworthiness (as detailed in previous chapters like Deut 9), God's disposition toward them remains constant.
  • Emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and unchangeable character.
• set His affection: (Hebrew: חָשַׁק, chashaq)
  • This word implies a strong, steadfast, clinging love; a passionate attachment or delight. It is a unique and intense term.
  • It's used only a few times in the Old Testament to describe God's love for Israel, conveying a personal, volitional desire and deep-seated commitment.
  • Suggests a bond that is not merely emotional but one that manifests in actions of choice and protection.
• on your fathers:
  • Refers specifically to the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • Emphasizes the historical roots of God's covenant with Israel. God's choice wasn't arbitrary or sudden with this generation, but established long ago with the founders of the nation.
  • This connection reinforces God's faithfulness across generations.
• and loved them: (Hebrew: אָהֵב, ahev)
  • A more general term for love, indicating goodwill, kindness, and active care.
  • Used here alongside chashaq, it underlines the depth and constancy of God's love – a tender care born out of His intense delight.
• and He chose: (Hebrew: בָּחַר, bachar)
  • Denotes a deliberate act of selection or election. It is a purposeful divine act, not accidental.
  • Highlights God's sovereignty in His plan. The choice was God's alone, apart from any human influence or worthiness.
• their descendants after them:
  • Confirms the covenant's generational nature. God's promise and choice extends beyond the initial patriarchs to their offspring.
  • Emphasizes the continuity of the covenant and God's purposes throughout history.
• you yourselves:
  • Directly addresses the present generation of Israelites standing before Moses, making the divine choice deeply personal and relevant to them.
  • It assures them that they are indeed the recipients and beneficiaries of this ancient, sovereign love.
• above all peoples:
  • Asserts the unique and distinct position of Israel among all nations.
  • This is an act of divine differentiation, not based on Israel's inherent superiority, but on God's unique love and purpose.
  • This statement stands in polemic opposition to pagan beliefs where national gods might protect their own people, but Yahweh explicitly and exclusively chooses Israel out of all other peoples.
• as it is this day:
  • Affirms the present reality and ongoing validity of God's choice and love.
  • Reassures Israel that God's commitment to them has not wavered, despite their past sins or current circumstances.

Words-group analysis:

• "Yet the Lord set His affection... and loved them...": This phrase underlines the extraordinary, unprompted nature of God's love. "Yet" counters any expectation of judgment given Israel's track record. The combination of chashaq (deep, clinging affection) and ahev (general active love) portrays a multifaceted and profound divine love that is both intimate and providential.
• "...on your fathers and loved them, and He chose their descendants after them, you yourselves...": This chain emphasizes the historical and continuous nature of God's covenantal choice. It was initiated with the patriarchs (fathers) and extends directly to the present generation ("you yourselves"). This highlights God's faithfulness and the binding nature of His promises across time, reinforcing their identity.
• "...above all peoples, as it is this day.": This phrase establishes Israel's unparalleled status, which is not due to any merit, but solely God's distinctive act of choosing. "Above all peoples" stresses their divine separation and distinctiveness. "As it is this day" signifies the current and enduring reality of this divine election, making it highly relevant and demanding a response from the contemporary audience.

Deuteronomy 10 15 Bonus section

The profound emphasis on God's choice based on affection and not merit in this verse serves as an Old Testament foreshadowing of the New Testament concept of election in Christ. Just as Israel was chosen by sovereign grace "above all peoples" for a specific purpose, believers in the New Covenant are chosen "in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4) out of God's unmerited love. This underscores that all divine relationship and salvation originate from God's character and will, rather than human initiative or inherent goodness. The steadfastness of God's love for Israel, "as it is this day," also reinforces the eternal and unchangeable nature of God's covenant promises, ensuring His ultimate faithfulness to both physical Israel and the spiritual Israel (the Church) through Christ.

Deuteronomy 10 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:15 is a foundational statement on divine election and grace. It posits that God's choice of Israel was neither reactive to their virtue nor conditional upon their obedience. Instead, it originated in His inexplicable, sovereign love for their ancestors and was extended freely to them, demonstrating a profound divine delight in this particular lineage. This selection was an act of pure grace (God's undeserved favor), establishing Israel as unique among all nations. It stands as a polemic against the idea that any people earns its status before God, countering assumptions of national superiority based on inherent worth. This unmerited choice then serves as the bedrock for all of Israel's subsequent obligations and calls to obedience (Deut 10:12-14, 16). They are to love God, not to earn His love, but because He first loved them so deeply. The verse highlights God's initiative, faithfulness, and the covenantal continuity spanning generations, confirming that Israel's favored position was not a fleeting divine whim but an enduring, deliberate choice. It shows that God sets His love on whom He chooses, inviting His chosen to respond in obedient affection.