Deuteronomy 7:9
What does Deuteronomy 7:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 7:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 7:9 means
Deuteronomy 7:9 emphasizes God's unique identity as the one true, faithful God. The verse highlights His unwavering commitment to His covenant and His boundless loving kindness (hesed) extended to those who reciprocate His love by obeying His commands. The phrase "to a thousand generations" powerfully conveys the eternal and enduring nature of God's faithfulness, demonstrating that His promises and blessings are not fleeting but extend far beyond an individual's lifetime, impacting their descendants for millennia. This underscores the profound and lasting impact of a relationship with God built on love and obedience, assuring believers of His steadfast and generational care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Know 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be certain, then, that the Lord your God is God; whose faith and mercy are unchanging, who keeps his word through a thousand generations to those who have love for him and keep his laws;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And thou hast known that Jehovah thy God He <FI>is<Fi> God, the faithful God, keeping the covenant, and the kindness, to those loving Him, and to those keeping His commands--to a thousand generations,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thou shalt know that the Lord thy God, he is a strong and faithful God, keeping his covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments, unto a thousand generations:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thou shalt know that Jehovah thyGod, he isGod, the faithfulGod, who keepeth covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with them that love him and keep his commandments;
Context
This verse serves as a foundational affirmation within Deuteronomy chapter 7, which immediately precedes and follows with warnings against intermarriage and idolatry with the surrounding Canaanite nations. Moses is speaking to the Israelites, reiterating God's covenant promises before their entry into the Promised Land. The immediate context establishes the rationale for God's command to separate themselves from pagan influences: His faithfulness demands their exclusive devotion. This verse grounds the subsequent commands and promises, assuring the Israelites that their obedience is met with an eternally faithful God, thereby motivating their adherence to the covenant within the broader chapter's message of holiness and separation.
v.8but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
v.9This passage
v.10and 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Exodus 34:6
And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth;
- Isaiah 49:7
Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.
- Deuteronomy 5:10
and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
- Exodus 20:6
and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
- 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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