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.

DEUTERONOMY 7:8KJV
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Deuteronomy 7:8 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 7:8 mean?

Deuteronomy 7:8 explains that God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt not because of anything special they had done, but because He loved them and wanted to keep the promise He had made to their ancestors. The verse highlights that God's actions were motivated by His love and faithfulness to His word.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the land God promised them. He reminds them that their deliverance from Pharaoh was not earned by their own merit, but was an act of God's steadfast love and His commitment to the oath He gave to their forefathers like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 7:8

  • "Loved" (אָהֵב, 'ahav): This word means a deep, committed love. The verse emphasizes that God's relationship with Israel is rooted in genuine affection, not just obligation or duty.
  • "Oath" (שְּׁבוּעָה, shĕvu'ah): This is a solemn promise. The verse points out that God is acting to fulfill a binding commitment He made to the ancestors of Israel, showing His reliability.
  • "Redeemed" (פָּדָה, padah): This word means to rescue or buy back, often used for freeing someone from slavery. Here, it highlights that God intervened powerfully to set Israel free from oppression.

Why Deuteronomy 7:8 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Israel earned God's favor; instead, it stresses that their rescue was entirely due to God's love and faithfulness.
  • Deuteronomy 7:8 connects the Israelites' present freedom to God's ancient promises, showing that God’s actions are consistent with His character and His word.
  • The verse sets the tone for the surrounding passage, where Moses urges the people to remember their history and rely on God's faithfulness rather than their own strength or achievements.

Where else these words appear

“oath” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

“loved” Hebrew H160 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
  • Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
  • Song of Solomon 8:4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

“redeemed” Hebrew H6299 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
  • 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
  • Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

“mighty” Hebrew H2389 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
  • Deuteronomy 34:12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
  • Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.