Deuteronomy Chapter 26 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיהוָ֞ה And the LORD H3068
וַֽיהוָ֞ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 1 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֶאֱמִֽירְךָ֣ hath avouched H559
הֶאֱמִֽירְךָ֣ hath avouched
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 13
to say (used with great latitude)
הַיּ֗וֹם thee this day H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם thee this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לִֽהְי֥וֹת H1961
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 4 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לוֹ֙ H0
לוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 13
לְעַ֣ם people H5971
לְעַ֣ם people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 6 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
סְגֻלָּ֔ה to be his peculiar H5459
סְגֻלָּ֔ה to be his peculiar
Strong's: H5459
Word #: 7 of 13
wealth (as closely shut up)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּר as he hath promised H1696
דִּבֶּר as he hath promised
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 9 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לָ֑ךְ H0
לָ֑ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 13
וְלִשְׁמֹ֖ר thee and that thou shouldest keep H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֖ר thee and that thou shouldest keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתָֽיו׃ all his commandments H4687
מִצְוֹתָֽיו׃ all his commandments
Strong's: H4687
Word #: 13 of 13
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people—God's reciprocal declaration, using the same verb he'emircha (הֶאֱמִֽירְךָ). Peculiar people translates Hebrew am segulah (עַם סְגֻלָּה), meaning treasured possession, prized property, or special treasure (see also Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2). As he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments—God's choosing Israel wasn't arbitrary favoritism but purposeful selection for covenant obedience and witness to the nations.

The concept of segulah appears in ancient royal contexts, referring to a king's personal treasure distinct from state property. Applied to Israel, it means God chose them as His prized possession among all nations, not because of inherent superiority but sovereign grace. Peter applies this language to the church: 'You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession' (1 Peter 2:9), showing covenant identity transferred to believers in Christ.

Historical Context

Given circa 1406 BC, echoing the Sinai covenant forty years earlier (Exodus 19:5-6). God's choice of Israel as treasured possession preceded their existence—promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:2), reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, and fulfilled through the Exodus. This wasn't ethnic supremacy but missionary election: Israel's purpose was displaying God's character to attract nations to worship Him (Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Isaiah 49:6). Sadly, Israel often failed this calling, but the church now carries the mandate to be God's showcase people.

Questions for Reflection