King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:8 in the King James Version says “But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD b...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 7:8 · KJV

LoveSalvation

Context

6

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

7

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

8

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.

9

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;

10

And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

Read Deuteronomy 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse grounds Israel's election in God's love and covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'because the LORD loved you' (me'ahavat YHWH) makes divine love the ultimate explanation. God's love is uncaused, flowing from His nature not Israel's attractiveness. The 'oath to your fathers' refers to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 22:16-18), demonstrating God's covenant immutability. The 'mighty hand' and redemption from Egypt prove God's power to save. This establishes the pattern of redemptive history: God initiates, promises, and accomplishes salvation. The parallel to Christian salvation is exact—saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), based on God's eternal covenant in Christ (2 Timothy 1:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's oath to Abraham occurred around 2000 BC; the Exodus around 1446 BC (traditional dating)—a 600-year span demonstrating God's long-range covenant faithfulness. The 'house of bondmen' refers to Egypt where Israel served as forced laborers for Pharaoh's building projects (Exodus 1:11-14). Archaeological evidence from the Nile Delta confirms substantial Semitic presence during this period. The Exodus redemption became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, referenced throughout Scripture as proof of God's saving power and faithfulness to promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness to His ancient promises strengthen your confidence in His current promises?
  2. What 'house of bondage' has God redeemed you from, and how should that shape your gratitude?
  3. In what ways does recognizing salvation as God's initiative transform how you approach Christian living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּי֩1 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵֽאַהֲבַ֨ת2 of 22

“loved”

H160

love

יְהוָ֛ה3 of 22

“But because the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֗ם4 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וֹ5 of 22

“you and because he would keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת6 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙7 of 22

“the oath”

H7621

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

אֲשֶׁ֤ר8 of 22
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּע֙9 of 22

“which he had sworn”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם10 of 22

“unto your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הוֹצִ֧יא11 of 22

“brought you out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהוָ֛ה12 of 22

“But because the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם13 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִיַּ֖ד14 of 22

“from the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲזָקָ֑ה15 of 22

“with a mighty”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙16 of 22

“and redeemed”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

מִבֵּ֣ית17 of 22

“you out of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עֲבָדִ֔ים18 of 22

“of bondmen”

H5650

a servant

מִיַּ֖ד19 of 22

“from the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

פַּרְעֹ֥ה20 of 22

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ21 of 22

“king”

H4428

a king

מִצְרָֽיִם׃22 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:2Ephesians 2:4-5Jeremiah 31:3Exodus 32:13Isaiah 43:4Deuteronomy 10:15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 7 →

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