Deuteronomy 33:3 kjv
Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
Deuteronomy 33:3 nkjv
Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.
Deuteronomy 33:3 niv
Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction,
Deuteronomy 33:3 esv
Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you,
Deuteronomy 33:3 nlt
Indeed, he loves his people;
all his holy ones are in his hands.
They follow in his steps
and accept his teaching.
Deuteronomy 33 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 7:6-8 | For you are a holy people... the Lord has chosen you... because the Lord loves you. | God's elective love for Israel. |
| Exo 19:5-6 | If you will obey My voice... you shall be a special treasure to Me... a holy nation. | Israel as a consecrated people. |
| Ps 16:3 | As for the saints who are on the earth, They are the excellent ones. | Believers/holy ones are highly esteemed. |
| Isa 43:4 | Since you were precious in My sight... and I have loved you. | God's enduring love for His people. |
| Jer 31:3 | Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. | God's eternal love for His own. |
| Hos 11:1 | When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. | God's initiating love in salvation. |
| Ps 31:15 | My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies. | Security and protection in God's hand. |
| Ps 139:9-10 | If I take the wings of the morning... even there Your hand shall lead me. | God's constant presence and guidance. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God... I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. | God's supportive and protective hand. |
| Jn 10:28-29 | I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish... No one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. | Eternal security of believers in Christ. |
| Lk 10:39 | She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. | Posture of a devoted disciple. |
| Acts 22:3 | I am indeed a Jew... but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel. | Position of a student under a teacher. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. | God's word as guidance. |
| Prov 2:1-5 | My son, if you receive my words... and incline your ear to wisdom... then you will understand. | Importance of receiving instruction. |
| Jer 15:16 | Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. | Internalizing and delighting in God's word. |
| 1 Pet 2:2 | As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow. | Eagerness to receive God's word for growth. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. | The power and authority of God's word. |
| Eph 1:4 | Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy. | Believers as chosen and set apart (saints). |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am persuaded that neither death nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God. | God's unbreaking love for His people. |
| Titus 2:14 | Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people. | God's people made holy for Him. |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Let us lay aside every weight... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. | Humility and focus on Christ's teaching. |
Deuteronomy 33 verses
Deuteronomy 33 3 Meaning
Deuteronomy 33:3 portrays the foundational covenant relationship between God and Israel. It emphasizes God's deep and abiding love for His chosen people, whom He identifies as His "saints" or "holy ones," implying their consecrated status. These beloved and set-apart individuals are held securely within His protective and guiding hand. In response to such divine care, they adopt a humble posture of learners, sitting at His feet, indicating a deep reverence and readiness to receive and embrace every instruction and revelation from His divine words. This verse highlights both God's unwavering devotion and His people's responsive submission to His truth.
Deuteronomy 33 3 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 33 serves as Moses' final blessing pronounced over the tribes of Israel just before his death. It reflects his last words to the nation, reiterating God's enduring faithfulness, His mighty acts on their behalf, and the unique covenant relationship He established with them. The chapter paints a majestic picture of God's character and His ongoing commitment to His chosen people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This verse, Deut 33:3, acts as a foundational statement, setting the tone by affirming God's profound love and unwavering protection as the basis for Israel's identity and future. It emphasizes that Israel's distinctiveness stems directly from their special position under God's loving care and their commitment to His revealed words.
Deuteronomy 33 3 Word analysis
- Yea, he loved: (Hebrew: 'ahav - אָהַב) Denotes a deep, personal, and covenantal love. This is an initiated, active, and abiding love on God's part, not a responsive one based on human merit. It is an enduring divine affection that undergirds the entire relationship.
- the people: Refers specifically to Israel, God's chosen nation. This term highlights the collective identity of those set apart by God for His purposes and favor.
- all his saints: (Hebrew: q'doshim - קְדֹשִׁים) Literally "His holy ones" or "His consecrated ones." It refers to those who are set apart for God's sacred purposes, distinct from the nations around them. This holiness is by divine declaration and election, not inherent moral perfection, though it implies a call to separation. In the New Testament, this term extends to all believers in Christ, who are sanctified by Him.
- are in thy hand: (Hebrew: b'yad'ka - בְּיָדֶךָ) This phrase symbolizes absolute security, possession, power, protection, and care. It implies intimate guidance and unwavering control. The people are not abandoned or vulnerable but securely held by the Almighty.
- and they sat down: Describes a posture of humble readiness, attentive listening, and submission. It is not a casual stance but one of intent discipleship and reverence.
- at thy feet: This is a classic biblical posture for a student receiving instruction from a master (as seen with Mary and Paul at Gamaliel's feet). It signifies humility, adoration, and eagerness to learn from a respected authority. It represents placing oneself entirely under God's guidance and wisdom.
- every one shall receive: Emphasizes individual engagement and personal appropriation. It means to accept, take in, absorb, or acquire. The divine words are not merely to be heard collectively but personally assimilated by each person.
- of thy words: (Hebrew: d'varav - דְּבָרָיו, which literally means "His words" but often translated as "Your words" in address to God, or d'varekha). This refers to God's divine revelation, encompassing His Law, commands, statutes, promises, and life-giving truths. These words are the very foundation of the covenant, guiding the people in all aspects of life.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand": This phrase establishes God's initiative in the covenant. It begins with His profound and enduring love, which is the source of Israel's special status. Their identity as "saints" flows from this divine choice and their security ("in thy hand") is a direct result of His protective love and power. This underscores God's unfailing commitment and ownership of His people.
- "and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words": This section describes the expected response and privilege of God's people. Their posture of "sitting at His feet" signifies humble worship, eager learning, and profound respect for God's authority. The collective action of "they sat down" leads to an individual reception where "every one shall receive of thy words," highlighting that while the covenant is for the nation, its blessings and responsibilities are appropriated personally through engaging with God's divine revelation.
Deuteronomy 33 3 Bonus section
- This verse contains profound implications for the nature of divine grace and human responsibility. God's love and security are the prior, unmerited grace, which then enables and calls forth the human response of humble reception and obedience.
- It highlights that true security and wisdom for God's people are found only in proximity to His presence and attentive listening to His voice. Distancing oneself from "His feet" implies departing from the source of life and truth.
- The progression from God's love, to His protection of His saints, to their posture of learning, and finally their reception of His words, illustrates the complete cycle of a thriving spiritual relationship between the Creator and His creation.
Deuteronomy 33 3 Commentary
Deuteronomy 33:3 beautifully encapsulates the very essence of Israel's relationship with Yahweh: it is fundamentally built upon God's unchanging and sovereign love. This love isn't earned but freely given, transforming a people into "His saints" – those set apart for His purposes and dwelling securely "in His hand." This divine protection and affection demand a profound response. The posture of sitting "at thy feet" is one of profound humility, surrender, and discipleship. It denotes an eager willingness to be taught, an open heart ready to absorb divine instruction, recognizing God as the ultimate Teacher and Lawgiver. Thus, the verse reveals a divine partnership: God initiates with love and secures His people, while they, in turn, humbly submit and eagerly embrace the life-giving truths of His Word. This reciprocal devotion ensures both the perpetuation of the covenant and the blessed life of God's chosen.