Deuteronomy 26:19
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
Original Language Analysis
וּֽלְתִתְּךָ֣
And to make
H5414
וּֽלְתִתְּךָ֣
And to make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֶלְי֗וֹן
thee high
H5945
עֶלְי֗וֹן
thee high
Strong's:
H5945
Word #:
2 of 17
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
עַ֤ל
H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִם֙
above all nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙
above all nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
5 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֔ה
which he hath made
H6213
עָשָׂ֔ה
which he hath made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וּלְשֵׁ֣ם
and in name
H8034
וּלְשֵׁ֣ם
and in name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
9 of 17
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת
and in honour
H8597
וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת
and in honour
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
10 of 17
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
וְלִֽהְיֹתְךָ֧
H1961
וְלִֽהְיֹתְךָ֧
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַם
people
H5971
עַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
קָדֹ֛שׁ
and that thou mayest be an holy
H6918
קָדֹ֛שׁ
and that thou mayest be an holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
13 of 17
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
לַֽיהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:Deuteronomy 7:6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Isaiah 62:12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.Exodus 19:6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Zephaniah 3:19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.Psalms 148:14He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.Jeremiah 13:11For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC as motivational conclusion to covenant stipulations. The promise echoed God's intent stated at Sinai: 'You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Exodus 19:6). Israel's subsequent history showed repeated failure—idolatry, injustice, and rebellion led to Assyrian conquest (722 BC) and Babylonian exile (586 BC). Only in Christ does God create the truly holy, multinational people this passage anticipated, the church purchased by His blood from every tribe and nation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's calling to holiness differ from self-righteous superiority or ethnic pride?
- In what ways has Israel's failure and the church's mission fulfilled God's purpose for a holy witness-people?
- What does it mean for Christians to be a 'holy people' displaying God's character to the nations today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made—God's purpose for Israel was exaltation among nations, not political dominance but moral and spiritual preeminence. In praise, and in name, and in honour—the Hebrew lit-hilah, ul-shem, ul-tif'arah (לִתְהִלָּה וּלְשֵׁם וּלְתִפְאָרָה) means for praise, for fame/reputation, and for beauty/glory. Israel's distinctiveness would attract nations to worship Yahweh (see Isaiah 60:1-3, Zechariah 8:23). And that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken—the ultimate purpose: holiness, separation unto God and reflection of His character.
This promise conditioned on obedience (note the context of 26:16-17). Israel's elevation wasn't automatic ethnic privilege but covenant consequence—obedience brings glory, rebellion brings shame (see Deuteronomy 28). Tragically, Israel's disobedience made God's name contemptible among nations (Ezekiel 36:20-23). Yet the promise finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ's church, a multinational holy people displaying God's character (Ephesians 2:19-22, Revelation 5:9-10).