ScriptureDepth

Deuteronomy 7

Read Deuteronomy 7 (WEB)+

1When Yahweh your God brings you into the land where you go to possess it, and casts out many nations before you, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than you; 2and when Yahweh your God delivers them up before you, and you strike them; then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them. 3You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son. 4For he will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods. So Yahweh’s anger would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. 5But you shall deal with them like this. You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their engraved images with fire. 6For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7Yahweh didn’t set his love on you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples: 8but because Yahweh loves you, and because he desires to keep the oath which he swore to your fathers, Yahweh has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9Know therefore that Yahweh your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, 10and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face. 11You shall therefore keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you today, to do them. 12It shall happen, because you listen to these ordinances, and keep and do them, that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers. 13He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you. 14You will be blessed above all peoples. There won’t be male or female barren among you, or among your livestock. 15Yahweh will take away from you all sickness; and he will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, on you, but will lay them on all those who hate you. 16You shall consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God shall deliver to you. Your eye shall not pity them. You shall not serve their gods; for that would be a snare to you. 17If you shall say in your heart, “These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?” 18you shall not be afraid of them. You shall remember well what Yahweh your God did to Pharaoh, and to all Egypt: 19the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which Yahweh your God brought you out. So shall Yahweh your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20Moreover Yahweh your God will send the hornet among them, until those who are left, and hide themselves, perish from before you. 21You shall not be scared of them; for Yahweh your God is among you, a great and awesome God. 22Yahweh your God will cast out those nations before you little by little. You may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you. 23But Yahweh your God will deliver them up before you, and will confuse them with a great confusion, until they are destroyed. 24He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under the sky. No one will be able to stand before you, until you have destroyed them. 25You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God. 26You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.

World English Bible (public domain)

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:6

Summary

Deuteronomy chapter 7 emphasizes God's call for Israel to remain distinct and holy as they enter the Promised Land. God commands them to completely destroy the Canaanite nations, citing the danger of idolatry and moral corruption that could ensue from intermingling with these peoples. The chapter reflects God's sovereign choice of Israel, not because of their size or worthiness, but because of His faithfulness to the promises made to their ancestors. This chapter underlines the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a sign of love and loyalty, setting the stage for the covenant relationship between God and His people. The theological significance of this chapter is profound; it highlights the exclusivity of Israel's relationship with Yahweh and the seriousness of worshiping Him alone. By establishing these commands, God seeks to protect Israel from the practices that led other nations away from Him. The chapter concludes with the assurance that if Israel remains faithful and obedient, God will bless them abundantly, reaffirming the connection between obedience to God and the experience of His blessings in their lives. Overall, Deuteronomy 7 invites readers to consider the implications of their spiritual commitments and the importance of remaining true to God's commands in the midst of a world that offers many alternative paths. It serves as a reminder of the necessity of vigilance in upholding one's identity and faith amidst external influences.

Go deeper

Ask the AI about Deuteronomy 7

Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.

Ask the AI about Deuteronomy 7

Daily Scripture study

Get a short devotional by email

One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.

Studying Deuteronomy with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for beginners.

Chapter outline

How Deuteronomy 7 unfolds

  1. Deuteronomy 7:1–2 God's Command to Conquer Nations

    Yahweh instructs Israel to conquer and utterly destroy the nations in the Promised Land, emphasizing their might compared to Israel.

  2. Deuteronomy 7:3–5 Prohibition of Intermarriage

    Israel is commanded not to intermarry with these nations to prevent turning away from Yahweh and adopting idolatrous practices.

  3. Deuteronomy 7:6–8 Israel's Unique Calling

    Israel is identified as a holy people chosen by Yahweh, not due to their size, but because of His love and covenant.

  4. Deuteronomy 7:9–10 God's Faithfulness to His Covenant

    Yahweh is described as faithful, keeping His covenant with those who love Him, while also warning against the consequences of disobedience.

  5. Deuteronomy 7:11–14 Blessings for Obedience

    The chapter outlines the blessings that will come to Israel if they obey Yahweh's commandments, including fertility and health.

  6. Deuteronomy 7:15–21 Protection from Diseases and Fear

    Yahweh promises to remove sickness from Israel and assures them not to fear the nations they will confront.

  7. Deuteronomy 7:22–26 Gradual Conquest and Detestation of Idols

    God instructs a gradual conquest of the nations and emphasizes the need to detest their idols and practices.

Key verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:6Deuteronomy 7:6 encapsulates the chapter's essence, highlighting Israel's identity as God's chosen and holy people.

Main themes in Deuteronomy 7

Holiness

The theme of holiness is prominent in verse 6, where Israel is identified as a holy people. The chapter develops this by emphasizing the need to remain separate from other nations to maintain this holiness. Within the larger movement, this underscores the seriousness of fidelity to Yahweh in worship and lifestyle.

Covenant Relationship

The covenant relationship is central from verse 9, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises. The chapter complicates this by presenting the conditions of obedience necessary for Israel to experience the fullness of God’s blessings. This relationship frames the entire chapter, promoting the idea that loyalty to God leads to divine favor.

Divine Election

Divine election is articulated in verses 7 and 8, where God chooses Israel not for their numbers but out of love. This concept is developed further by emphasizing that this choice comes with responsibility and the expectation of obedience. It signifies Israel's unique status among nations and their role in God's redemptive plan.

Obedience and Blessing

The theme of obedience and blessing is introduced in verses 11 to 14, where blessings are promised for adherence to God's commandments. The chapter develops this idea by stating the consequences of disobedience, linking faithfulness to tangible benefits. This connection reinforces the notion that God desires a responsive relationship with His people.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 7

Study questions

Questions for studying Deuteronomy 7

  1. What are the specific nations mentioned in verses 1 and 2?
  2. Why does God command the destruction of the Canaanite altars and images?
  3. What does being a holy people mean for Israel in this context?
  4. How does God's election of Israel in verse 7 shape their identity?
  5. What blessings are promised in verses 13 and 14 for obedience?
  6. How does God assure Israel of His presence in their battles?
  7. What significance does the instruction to detest idols have for Israel's faith?

Deuteronomy 7: frequently asked questions

What is Deuteronomy 7 about?+
Deuteronomy chapter 7 emphasizes God's call for Israel to remain distinct and holy as they enter the Promised Land. God commands them to completely destroy the Canaanite nations, citing the danger of idolatry and moral corruption that could ensue from intermingling with these peoples. The chapter reflects God's sovereign choice of Israel, not because of their size or worthiness, but because of His faithfulness to the promises made to their ancestors. This chapter underlines the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a sign of love and loyalty, setting the stage for the covenant relationship between God and His people. The theological significance of this chapter is profound; it highlights the exclusivity of Israel's relationship with Yahweh and the seriousness of worshiping Him alone. By establishing these commands, God seeks to protect Israel from the practices that led other nations away from Him. The chapter concludes with the assurance that if Israel remains faithful and obedient, God will bless them abundantly, reaffirming the connection between obedience to God and the experience of His blessings in their lives. Overall, Deuteronomy 7 invites readers to consider the implications of their spiritual commitments and the importance of remaining true to God's commands in the midst of a world that offers many alternative paths. It serves as a reminder of the necessity of vigilance in upholding one's identity and faith amidst external influences.
What is the key verse in Deuteronomy 7?+
Deuteronomy 7:6: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."
What are the main themes of Deuteronomy 7?+
The main themes of Deuteronomy 7 are Holiness, Covenant Relationship, Divine Election, Obedience and Blessing.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Deuteronomy 7

Study Notes