Deuteronomy 10:15
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֧ק
H7535
רַ֧ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
בַּֽאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ
in thy fathers
H1
בַּֽאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ
in thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 14
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
חָשַׁ֥ק
had a delight
H2836
חָשַׁ֥ק
had a delight
Strong's:
H2836
Word #:
3 of 14
to cling, i.e., join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically; to deliver
יְהוָ֖ה
Only the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
Only the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אוֹתָ֑ם
H853
אוֹתָ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּבְחַ֞ר
them and he chose
H977
וַיִּבְחַ֞ר
them and he chose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
בְּזַרְעָ֣ם
their seed
H2233
בְּזַרְעָ֣ם
their seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
8 of 14
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעַמִּ֖ים
them even you above all people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֖ים
them even you above all people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Historical Context
Moses referenced the patriarchal election (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) that occurred 500-600 years earlier. God's covenantal love for the fathers extended to the generation standing on Moab's plains, demonstrating the continuity of the Abrahamic promise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding election as God's 'delight' and 'love' (not mere foreknowledge) affect your assurance of salvation?
- If God's choice preceded Israel's obedience, what does this teach about the relationship between faith and works?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them—The Hebrew chashaq (had delight) connotes passionate attachment or desire, used elsewhere of romantic love (Genesis 34:8). Combined with ahav (to love), this verse describes God's electing love as both sovereign choice and affectionate desire. He chose their seed after them, even you employs bachar (chose), the technical term for divine election throughout Scripture.
Above all people (מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים, mikol-ha'amim) emphasizes particularity—God's choice wasn't based on Israel's greatness (Deuteronomy 7:7) but His sovereign love. This verse demolishes works-righteousness: election precedes and grounds obedience, not vice versa. Paul quotes this theology in Romans 9:10-13 (Jacob and Esau) to establish that salvation flows from God's unconditional choice, not human merit or effort.