Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. New Living Translation “The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! English Standard Version It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, Berean Standard Bible The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. Berean Literal Bible Not because you⁺ were more numerous than any other of the peoples did YHWH set His love on you⁺ and choose you⁺; for you⁺ were the least of all the peoples, King James Bible 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: New King James Version The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; New American Standard Bible “The LORD did not make you His beloved nor choose you because you were greater in number than any of the peoples, since you were the fewest of all peoples, NASB 1995 “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, NASB 1977 “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, Legacy Standard Bible “Yahweh did not set His affection on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, Amplified Bible “The LORD did not love you and choose you because you were greater in number than any of the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. Berean Annotated Bible The LORD {YHWH} did not set His affection on you⁺ and choose you⁺ because you⁺ were more numerous than the other peoples, for you⁺ were the fewest of all peoples. Christian Standard Bible “The LORD had his heart set on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD was devoted to you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. American Standard Version Jehovah 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 peoples: Contemporary English Version You were the weakest of all nations, English Revised Version 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 peoples: GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD set his heart on you and chose you, even though you didn't outnumber all the other people. You were the smallest of all nations. Good News Translation "The LORD did not love you and choose you because you outnumbered other peoples; you were the smallest nation on earth. International Standard Version "It wasn't because you were more numerous than other people of the earth that the LORD committed himself to you and chose you. In fact, you were the least numerous of all the peoples. NET Bible It is not because you were more numerous than all the other peoples that the LORD favored and chose you--for in fact you were the least numerous of all peoples. New Heart English Bible The LORD did not 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: Webster's Bible Translation 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. World English Bible Yahweh 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; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYHWH has delighted in you and fixes on you, not because of your being more numerous than any of the peoples, for you [are] the least of all the peoples, Berean Literal Bible Not because you⁺ were more numerous than any other of the peoples did YHWH set His love on you⁺ and choose you⁺; for you⁺ were the least of all the peoples, Young's Literal Translation Not because of your being more numerous than any of the peoples hath Jehovah delighted in you, and fixeth on you, for ye are the least of all the peoples, Smith's Literal Translation Not for your multitude did Jehovah delight in you above all the peoples, and will he choose you, for ye were few more than all the peoples. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNot because you surpass all nations in number, is the Lord joined unto you, and hath chosen you, for you are the fewest of any people: Catholic Public Domain Version It is not because you surpass all the nations in number that the Lord has joined with you and has chosen you, for you are the least numerous of any people. New American Bible It was not because you are more numerous than all the peoples that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you; for you are really the smallest of all peoples. New Revised Standard Version It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIt was not because you were more in number than any other peoples that the LORD was delighted in you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated LORD JEHOVAH did not want you and choose you because you are more numerous than all of the nations, because you are the smallest of all of the nations: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The 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 peoples-- Brenton Septuagint Translation It was not because ye are more numerous than all other nations that the Lord preferred you, and the Lord made choice of you: for ye are fewer in number than all other nations. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Casting out the Nations…6For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. 7The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.… Cross References The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you Deuteronomy 10:15 Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them, above all the peoples, even to this day. Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. 1 Samuel 12:22 Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own. because you were more numerous than the other peoples, Judges 7:2-7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” … 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” 2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” for you were the fewest of all peoples. Psalm 105:12-15 When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land, / they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. / He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: … 1 Samuel 9:21 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?” Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. Exodus 19:5-6 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.” 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Romans 9:25-26 As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us. Ephesians 1:4-5 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love / He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, / He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. Treasury of Scripture The LORD did not set his love on you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people: The Lord Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Romans 9:11-15,18,21 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) … Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. ye were Deuteronomy 10:22 Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude. Isaiah 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Jump to Previous Affection Attached Choose Chose Delighted Love Nations Numerous Peoples SmallestJump to Next Affection Attached Choose Chose Delighted Love Nations Numerous Peoples SmallestDeuteronomy 7 1. All communion with the nations is forbidden5. for fear of idolatry, 6. for the holiness of the people, 9. for the nature of God in his mercy and justice, 17. and for the assuredness of victory which God will give over them. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign choice and love for Israel, independent of their merits or attributes. In the biblical context, God's election of Israel is rooted in His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). This choice is an act of grace, not based on Israel's actions or qualities. The concept of divine election is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are chosen by grace through faith (Ephesians 1:4-5). This reflects God's unchanging nature and His purpose to establish a people for Himself. because you were more numerous than the other peoples for you were the fewest of all peoples Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who chose the Israelites as His people. 2. Israelites The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen by God to be His special people. 3. Moses The leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws and commandments to them. 4. Canaan The land promised to the Israelites, which they were to enter and possess. 5. The Exodus The event of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. Teaching Points God's Sovereign ChoiceGod's choice of Israel was not based on their size or strength but on His sovereign will and love. This teaches us that God's love and election are based on His grace, not human merit. Humility in Election The Israelites were the "fewest of all peoples," reminding us that God's choice should lead to humility, not pride. We are chosen not because of our greatness but because of God's grace. Faithfulness to God's Covenant As God chose Israel to be His people, they were called to be faithful to His covenant. Similarly, Christians are called to live in obedience to God's commands as His chosen people. God's Love and Faithfulness God's affection for Israel was an expression of His steadfast love and faithfulness. We can trust in God's unchanging love and faithfulness in our lives. Purpose in Being Chosen Israel was chosen for a purpose—to be a light to the nations. As believers, we are chosen to reflect God's glory and share His love with the world. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 7:7?2. Why did God choose Israel according to Deuteronomy 7:7, despite their size? 3. How does Deuteronomy 7:7 demonstrate God's love and faithfulness to His people? 4. Connect Deuteronomy 7:7 with 1 Corinthians 1:27 on God's choice of the weak. 5. How can we apply God's choice of Israel to our personal faith journey? 6. What does Deuteronomy 7:7 teach about God's criteria for choosing His people? 7. Why did God choose Israel despite their small size in Deuteronomy 7:7? 8. How does Deuteronomy 7:7 reflect God's sovereignty in choosing His people? 9. What does Deuteronomy 7:7 reveal about God's criteria for choosing a nation? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 7? 11. Who loved us first? 12. Why was Israel chosen by God? 13. What is the significance of grace in the Bible? 14. Will all of Israel ultimately be saved? What Does Deuteronomy 7:7 Mean The LORD did not set His affection on you- The verse begins by reminding Israel that God’s love rests on them because He chose to love them. Deuteronomy 10:15 says, “Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them.” - This affection is rooted in God’s own character, not in Israel’s merit (Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:19). - God’s love is deliberate and personal; He is not obligated, yet He delights to love (Psalm 147:11). and choose you - Love is followed by choice. Exodus 19:5–6 shows God calling Israel His “treasured possession.” - Election is purposeful: through Israel would come blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3). - Jesus affirms the same principle for believers: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). - Paul echoes it: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). because you were more numerous than the other peoples - God’s choice was not motivated by impressive statistics. Numbers, strength, or fame never sway the Lord (1 Samuel 16:7). - In Judges 7:2 the LORD reduces Gideon’s army so Israel cannot claim credit. Likewise, Psalm 20:7 warns against trusting in chariots and horses. - Zechariah 4:6 drives the point home: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.” for you were the fewest of all peoples - Israel’s smallness magnified God’s greatness. He delights to use the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). - The pattern runs through Scripture: • A childless couple becomes a nation (Genesis 15). • A shepherd boy defeats a giant (1 Samuel 17). • A baby in Bethlehem becomes King of kings (Micah 5:2; Luke 1:52). - When God works through the least likely, His glory stands out (2 Corinthians 12:9). summary Deuteronomy 7:7 underscores that God’s relationship with Israel originates in His sovereign love, not in their size, strength, or achievements. He loved, He chose, and He acted precisely because they were small, ensuring that every victory and blessing would spotlight His grace alone. The same principle encourages believers today: our security rests not in our resources but in the steadfast, electing love of the LORD who delights to display His power through those who know they are powerless without Him. (7) The Lord did not . . . choose you, because ye were more.--The danger lest Israel's peculiar relation to the Most High should beget national pride is so obvious, that Moses takes special pains to counteract it by asserting God's sovereignty in the choice.Ye were the fewest of all people.--It may be observed that the development of the Moabites, Ammonites, Ishmaelites, and Edomites (all, like Israel, descended from Terah), was far more rapid than that of the chosen line. Abraham had twelve grandsons through Ishmael, but only the same number of great grandsons through Isaac and Jacob. Edom, Moab, and Ammon all preceded Israel in the conquest of territory. Kings reigned in Edom "before there reigned any king over the children of Israel" (Genesis 36:31). It was only "when the time of the promise drew nigh" that "the (chosen) people grew and multiplied in Egypt." The Scripture is throughout consistent in representing their development as due to the special providence of God. (See also on Deuteronomy 10:22.) Verse 7. - Set his love upon you. The Hebrew verb meaning primarily to cleave to, to be attached to, is used to express ardent and loving affection (cf. Genesis 34:8; Deuteronomy 10:15; Isaiah 38:17). The fewest of all people. It might have been supposed that, in choosing a people to be his special treasure, the Almighty would have selected some one of the great nations of the world; but, instead of that, he had chosen one of the smallest. They had, indeed, grown till now they were as the stars for multitude; but it was not in prospect of this that they were chosen. The election of Israel was purely of grace.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The LORDיְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel did not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no set His affection on you חָשַׁ֧ק (ḥā·šaq) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2836: To cling, join, to love, delight in, elliptically, to deliver [and] choose you וַיִּבְחַ֣ר (way·yiḇ·ḥar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select because you were more numerous מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם (mê·rub·bə·ḵem) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness than the other מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every peoples, הָֽעַמִּ֗ים (hā·‘am·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַתֶּ֥ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you were the fewest הַמְעַ֖ט (ham·‘aṭ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few of all מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every peoples. הָעַמִּֽים׃ (hā·‘am·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Links Deuteronomy 7:7 NIVDeuteronomy 7:7 NLT Deuteronomy 7:7 ESV Deuteronomy 7:7 NASB Deuteronomy 7:7 KJV Deuteronomy 7:7 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 7:7 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 7:7 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 7:7 French Bible Deuteronomy 7:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 7:7 Yahweh didn't set his love on you (Deut. 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