Deuteronomy 10:18
What does Deuteronomy 10:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 10:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 10:18 means
Deuteronomy 10:18 reveals God's character as a righteous and compassionate judge. The verse highlights His special concern for the most vulnerable in society: the fatherless and the widow, indicating a divine mandate for justice on their behalf. Furthermore, it emphasizes God's love for the "foreigner," or sojourner, commanding practical care through the provision of food and clothing. This demonstrates that God's love and justice extend beyond His chosen people to all who are marginalized, setting a precedent for His followers to emulate this inclusive compassion and care for the vulnerable and displaced within their communities, reflecting His own heart.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Judging uprightly in the cause of the widow and of the child who has no father, and giving food and clothing in his mercy to the man from a strange country.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He is doing the judgment of fatherless and widow, and loving the sojourner, to give to him bread and raiment.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He doth judgment to the fatherless and the widow, loveth the stranger, and giveth him food and raiment.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who executeth the judgment of the fatherless and the widow, and loveth the stranger, to give him food and clothing.
Context
Deuteronomy chapter 10 recounts Moses' retelling of significant moments in Israel's wilderness journey, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness and the people's responsibilities. Leading into verse 18, Moses reminds the Israelites of God's power and greatness, urging them to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him (Deuteronomy 10:12-17). This verse then provides a concrete example and consequence of such fear and love: demonstrating justice and compassion, particularly towards the vulnerable. Immediately following, Moses continues to exhort the people to obey God's commands, reinforcing their commitment to the covenant through ethical living and love for others (not just tolerance of) the outsider.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 145:9
Jehovah is good to all; And his tender mercies are over all his works.
- Psalms 103:6
Jehovah executeth righteous acts, And judgments for all that are oppressed.
- Hosea 14:3
Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods; for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
- Psalms 68:5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.
- Acts 14:17
And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
- Matthew 5:45
that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
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