Deuteronomy 7 9

Deuteronomy 7:9 kjv

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 7:9 nkjv

"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Deuteronomy 7:9 niv

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9 esv

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Deuteronomy 7:9 nlt

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 9 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:9 proclaims a foundational truth about God's nature: He is the singular, trustworthy, and covenant-keeping Lord. The verse emphasizes His enduring, loyal love (hesed) that is steadfastly maintained with those who express their devotion to Him through obedience to His divine instructions. This commitment spans an immeasurable duration, assuring the unwavering continuity of His promises across all time.

Deuteronomy 7 9 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 7 lays out essential instructions for Israel as they prepare to enter and conquer the land of Canaan. Moses commands a complete separation from the indigenous nations, prohibiting alliances and intermarriage due to the spiritual danger of idolatry. This mandate is not rooted in Israel's merit (they were chosen simply out of God's love and oath, v. 7-8) but in the LORD's holy character and Israel's sacred identity as His chosen people. Verse 9 then serves as the fundamental theological premise underlying these strict commands. It reassures Israel of why they can trust and obey such rigorous requirements: because their God, Yahweh, is definitively and immutably faithful, unlike the fleeting and unreliable deities of other nations. This understanding of God's steadfast, covenant-keeping love is intended to fortify their resolve for obedience and their confidence in the face of the monumental task ahead.

Deuteronomy 7 9 Word analysis

• Know therefore (וְיָדַעְתָּ֖ - wĕyāḏaʿtā): This imperative extends beyond simple intellectual knowledge; it signifies a deep, personal, and experiential understanding, gained through God's revelation and His historical acts on Israel's behalf. "Therefore" links this knowledge directly to God's free and unmerited choice of Israel mentioned in the preceding verses.
• that the LORD your God is God (כִּ֣י יְהוָה֮ אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים֙ - kî YHWH ʾĕlōheḵā hūʾ hāʾĕlōhîm):
  • LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existent nature and His unchanging, active presence.
  • your God (אֱלֹהֶיךָ - ʾĕlōheḵā): Highlights the exclusive, relational bond established through the covenant with Israel, implying ownership and care.
  • is God (הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים - hūʾ hāʾĕlōhîm): A declarative statement asserting His absolute and unique divine supremacy. This is a foundational proclamation of monotheism, distinguishing Yahweh from all other false deities.
• the faithful God (הָאֵ֣ל הַֽנֶּאֱמָ֗ן - hāʾēl hanněʾĕmān):
  • faithful (נֶּאֱמָן - neʾĕmān): Derived from the root aman, meaning firm, reliable, trustworthy, stable, or sure. It underscores God's absolute dependability and the unchanging truth of His character and word.
  • God (אֵ֣ל - ʾēl): A general divine title, here combined with "faithful" to specifically describe Yahweh's distinctive trustworthiness.
• who keeps covenant (שׁוֹמֵ֧ר הַבְּרִ֛ית - šômer habbərîṯ):
  • keeps (שׁוֹמֵר - šômer): A participle indicating continuous action, signifying that God is actively and vigilantly upholding His promises and agreements.
  • covenant (הַבְּרִ֛ית - habbərîṯ): Refers to the solemn, binding agreement God initiated with Abraham and reiterated with Israel at Sinai, defining their reciprocal relationship and responsibilities.
• and steadfast love (וְהַחֶ֖סֶד - wĕhaḥeseḏ): Hebrew hesed. This rich term denotes God's loyal, unfailing, and benevolent love, encompassing mercy, kindness, and covenantal fidelity. It is a love expressed in active, loyal commitment within a relationship.
• with those who love him (לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו - lĕʾohăvâw): Denotes an active and affectionate devotion towards God. In biblical terms, love for God is demonstrated concretely through obedience and faithful allegiance.
• and keep his commandments (וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽיו - ûlĕšomrê miṣwōṯāw):
  • keep (שׁוֹמְרֵ֥י - šomrê): Again, signifies active and ongoing adherence, watchfulness, and obedience.
  • commandments (מִצְוֺתָֽיו - miṣwōṯāw): The divine instructions and laws given by God, serving as the practical demonstration of love and allegiance.
• to a thousand generations (לְאֶ֥לֶף דּֽוֹר - lĕʾelef dôr): This is a hyperbolic expression for an immense, virtually endless duration, not a literal number. It emphasizes the eternal, unwavering, and enduring nature of God's faithfulness and covenant blessings, far exceeding any human lifespan or historical period.

• "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God": This opening phrase serves as a command to embrace a deep, personal conviction regarding God's absolute uniqueness and His unwavering reliability. It unequivocally declares Yahweh as the one supreme deity, inherently trustworthy and dependable, sharply contrasting with any unreliable human-made gods.
• "who keeps covenant and steadfast love": This clause elaborates on the active expression of God's faithfulness. He is depicted not just as powerful but as actively engaged in honoring His solemn promises and pouring out His loyal, unfailing love (hesed) within the framework of His established covenants. This guarantees Israel's security in their relationship with Him.
• "with those who love him and keep his commandments": While God's character is the source, this specifies the reciprocal expectation of the covenant. God's enduring hesed and covenant fidelity are extended particularly to those who respond with a heart of love for Him, tangibly expressed through adherence to His revealed will and laws. Obedience thus becomes the tangible evidence of true love.
• "to a thousand generations": This grand phrase profoundly conveys the enduring nature of God's covenant promises and loyal love. It illustrates an unfathomable span of time, emphasizing that God's commitment is neither fleeting nor limited by temporal circumstances, providing immense reassurance for all future generations that His character remains steadfast.

Deuteronomy 7 9 Bonus section

This verse undergirds the concept of generational blessings in Scripture, providing a stark contrast to the typically limited generational consequences of disobedience (e.g., Ex 20:5 affecting three or four generations vs. thousands for steadfast love). It beautifully illustrates God's abundant grace and His desire to extend His faithfulness for far longer than any penalty. Moreover, the immutability of God's faithfulness proclaimed here directly foreshadows and solidifies the reliability of the New Covenant in Christ. The steadfast love and faithfulness of God found their ultimate fulfillment and expression in Jesus, whose work extends God's covenant promise of salvation beyond any limit of "thousand generations" into eternity, assuring believers of God's unchanging nature and promises. The truth of Deut 7:9 confirms that our hope in Christ is founded on the very same, faithful God of the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 7 9 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:9 functions as the theological anchor for all of Israel's impending actions and for all generations. It is a profound declaration that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is singularly supreme and inherently reliable. His character is defined by unwavering faithfulness and an abiding, covenantal love (hesed) that is loyal and constant. This steadfastness is demonstrated by His active commitment to uphold His promises and by His enduring care for those who reciprocate His love through heartfelt obedience. The hyperbole of "a thousand generations" magnificently highlights the eternal nature of His promises and love, assuring Israel of His enduring commitment that far outlasts any human limitation. This verse assures the people that their obedience and trust are not placed in a capricious deity but in the unchangeable, faithful God who will uphold His word and His love forever.