King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:19 in the King James Version says “And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.”

Deuteronomy 26:19 · KJV

Context

17

Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

18

And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

19

And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made—God's purpose for Israel was exaltation among nations, not political dominance but moral and spiritual preeminence. In praise, and in name, and in honour—the Hebrew lit-hilah, ul-shem, ul-tif'arah (לִתְהִלָּה וּלְשֵׁם וּלְתִפְאָרָה) means for praise, for fame/reputation, and for beauty/glory. Israel's distinctiveness would attract nations to worship Yahweh (see Isaiah 60:1-3, Zechariah 8:23). And that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken—the ultimate purpose: holiness, separation unto God and reflection of His character.

This promise conditioned on obedience (note the context of 26:16-17). Israel's elevation wasn't automatic ethnic privilege but covenant consequence—obedience brings glory, rebellion brings shame (see Deuteronomy 28). Tragically, Israel's disobedience made God's name contemptible among nations (Ezekiel 36:20-23). Yet the promise finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ's church, a multinational holy people displaying God's character (Ephesians 2:19-22, Revelation 5:9-10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC as motivational conclusion to covenant stipulations. The promise echoed God's intent stated at Sinai: 'You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Exodus 19:6). Israel's subsequent history showed repeated failure—idolatry, injustice, and rebellion led to Assyrian conquest (722 BC) and Babylonian exile (586 BC). Only in Christ does God create the truly holy, multinational people this passage anticipated, the church purchased by His blood from every tribe and nation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's calling to holiness differ from self-righteous superiority or ethnic pride?
  2. In what ways has Israel's failure and the church's mission fulfilled God's purpose for a holy witness-people?
  3. What does it mean for Christians to be a 'holy people' displaying God's character to the nations today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּֽלְתִתְּךָ֣1 of 17

“And to make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עֶלְי֗וֹן2 of 17

“thee high”

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

עַ֤ל3 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל4 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִם֙5 of 17

“above all nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֔ה7 of 17

“which he hath made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִתְהִלָּ֖ה8 of 17

“in praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

וּלְשֵׁ֣ם9 of 17

“and in name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת10 of 17

“and in honour”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

וְלִֽהְיֹתְךָ֧11 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עַם12 of 17

“people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

קָדֹ֛שׁ13 of 17

“and that thou mayest be an holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

לַֽיהוָ֥ה14 of 17

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ15 of 17

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֵּֽר׃17 of 17

“as he hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 26:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:11 Peter 2:9Deuteronomy 7:6Deuteronomy 4:7-8Isaiah 62:12Exodus 19:6

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Deuteronomy 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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