Deuteronomy 5 10

Deuteronomy 5:10 kjv

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

Deuteronomy 5:10 nkjv

but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:10 niv

but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:10 esv

but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:10 nlt

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 10 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:10 declares God's character as One who abundantly bestows steadfast love and loyalty. This divine mercy is extended through countless generations to those who respond to Him with genuine love and demonstrate that love through obedience to His divine instructions. It stands in stark contrast to the preceding verse's statement of judgment, highlighting God's boundless grace towards His faithful.

Deuteronomy 5 10 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 5 presents Moses' powerful reiteration of the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue) to the generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. This is not just a historical recap, but a renewed covenant summons for Israel to live by God's Law in the new land. Verses 9 and 10 function as a concluding elaboration on the first two commandments, which forbid idolatry and command proper worship of the one true God. While verse 9 outlines the generational consequences for hatred and idolatry, verse 10 emphatically contrasts this with the abundant and far-reaching mercy God shows to those who love and obey Him. This pair of verses highlights God's justice and judgment but magnifies His overwhelming propensity towards mercy and steadfast love for His covenant people. It defines the character of the God with whom Israel has a relationship.

Deuteronomy 5 10 Word analysis

• And shewing/showing:

  • This conjunctive links the statement of God's mercy directly to the preceding declaration of His judgment.
  • It presents the complementary nature of God's character: both just and merciful.
  • It implies an ongoing, active revelation of this divine attribute.

• mercy:

  • Hebrew: חֶסֶד (chesed).
  • This is a foundational concept in the Bible, signifying more than pity or compassion.
  • It denotes loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast kindness, and unfailing devotion.
  • God's hesed is an active, committed benevolence arising from His covenant relationship.

• unto thousands:

  • Hebrew: לַאֲלָפִים (la'alaphim).
  • Literally "to thousands," symbolizing a vast, indeterminate, and immeasurable quantity.
  • Stands in powerful contrast to the limited "to the third and fourth generations" of judgment (Deut 5:9).
  • Emphasizes the boundless and abundant nature of God's mercy, far exceeding the scope of His judgment.
  • Reflects God's desire to bless and extend His favor far into the future generations.

• of them that love me:

  • Hebrew: לְאֹהֲבַי (l'ohavai) - "to those who love Me" (participle of 'ahav', to love).
  • Love for God here is not mere emotion but a deep, reverential, and active devotion of the whole being.
  • It implies commitment, allegiance, and loyalty to God alone, standing against idolatry.
  • This love is a necessary condition for receiving God's mercy.

• and keep my commandments:

  • Hebrew: וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי מִצְוֹתָי (u'l'shomrei mitzvotai) - "and to those who keep My commandments" (participle of 'shamar', to keep/guard; and 'mitzvah', commandment).
  • "Keep" means to observe, obey, guard, fulfill, or cherish. It's an active adherence to divine instruction.
  • Obedience to God's commandments is presented as the tangible, practical demonstration of loving Him.
  • It reinforces that genuine love for God is intrinsically linked to active obedience, not just sentiment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "showing mercy unto thousands": Highlights the overflowing nature of God's hesed, portraying Him as generously extending favor across numerous generations, far beyond the limited scope of judgment for iniquity. This underscores God's greater propensity for blessing and salvation than for condemnation.
  • "of them that love me and keep my commandments": Defines the recipients of God's boundless mercy. It establishes a non-negotiable link between inward affection ("love me") and outward action ("keep my commandments"). One cannot claim to love God without actively seeking to obey Him, and vice-versa. This two-fold condition stresses active covenant faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 5 10 Bonus section

• The asymmetry in the scope of judgment (3-4 generations) versus mercy (thousands) powerfully conveys God's nature. It showcases His reluctance to punish and His eagerness to extend grace, providing hope even amid the consequences of sin.
• This verse underpins the concept of generational blessing in the Bible, rooted in a family's and individuals' covenant loyalty and obedience to God, which transcends single lifetimes.
• The conjunction of "love Me" and "keep My commandments" provides a fundamental theological principle echoed throughout Scripture, particularly by Jesus and the apostles. It reveals that authentic faith involves both inner disposition and outward conformity to God's revealed will.
• It serves as a constant invitation to faithfulness and a deterrent from apostasy, presenting an incentive for continuous obedience—the security and overflow of God's unfailing love.

Deuteronomy 5 10 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:10 profoundly articulates the character of God, particularly His unwavering faithfulness and abundant kindness (chesed). Placed immediately after a warning against idolatry and its generational repercussions, this verse offers a counterpoint, emphasizing God's greater inclination towards mercy. While judgment for hating God (manifested through idolatry) is stated as extending to a finite "third and fourth generation," His mercy is promised "unto thousands," implying an infinite and overwhelmingly expansive blessing across countless generations. This stark contrast underscores that God's desire is primarily to bless, provided His people respond with genuine devotion. The conditions for receiving this enduring mercy are clear: to "love Me" and "keep My commandments." This reveals that love for God is not merely an emotional sentiment but is inextricably linked to active obedience and loyalty to His covenant. It's a relational covenant, where God's steadfast love meets human faithfulness, leading to unending blessings.Example: A parent faithfully investing in teaching biblical values to their child, trusting that God's promise of mercy and blessing extends through that act of loving and obeying His commands, impacting future family lines.