Deuteronomy 4:37
And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;
Original Language Analysis
וְתַ֗חַת
H8478
וְתַ֗חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
1 of 13
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָהַב֙
And because he loved
H157
אָהַב֙
And because he loved
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
3 of 13
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
5 of 13
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַיִּבְחַ֥ר
therefore he chose
H977
וַיִּבְחַ֥ר
therefore he chose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
בְּזַרְע֖וֹ
their seed
H2233
בְּזַרְע֖וֹ
their seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
7 of 13
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אַֽחֲרָ֑יו
after
H310
אַֽחֲרָ֑יו
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ֧
them and brought thee out
H3318
וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ֧
them and brought thee out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
9 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְּפָנָ֛יו
in his sight
H6440
בְּפָנָ֛יו
in his sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּכֹח֥וֹ
power
H3581
בְּכֹח֥וֹ
power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
11 of 13
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:15Only 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.Exodus 13:14And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:Exodus 33:14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.Exodus 13:3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.Exodus 13:9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Historical Context
Moses grounds Israel's election in God's love for the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived some 400-600 years before this moment. The Exodus deliverance 40 years earlier was the fulfillment of promises made in Genesis. This historical continuity from patriarchs through Exodus to Conquest demonstrated God's faithfulness across generations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding election as rooted in God's sovereign love rather than human merit change your sense of security in your relationship with Him?
- What does it mean that God brought Israel out 'in his presence'—personally attending to their deliverance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt.
Moses traces Israel's election to its source: vetachat ki ahav et avotekha (וְתַחַת כִּי אָהַב אֶת אֲבֹתֶיךָ, 'because he loved your fathers'). Divine love precedes human response; God's choice (vayyivchar, וַיִּבְחַר) flows from affection, not obligation. This sovereign, electing love for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob extended to their descendants (bezar'o acharav, 'their seed after them').
The phrase bepanav (בְּפָנָיו, 'in his presence/sight') is striking: God personally attended the Exodus, bringing Israel out with His own mighty power (bekhocho hagadol, בְּכֹחוֹ הַגָּדֹל). This was not delegated work but direct divine action. God saw Egypt's oppression (Exodus 3:7), heard Israel's cries, and acted personally to deliver.
The theological import is profound: Israel's existence depends entirely on divine initiative. They did not earn election through ancestral merit or personal righteousness. God loved the fathers freely, chose their descendants graciously, and delivered them powerfully. This pattern of gracious election reaches its fullest expression in Christ, through whom God 'chose us in him before the foundation of the world' (Ephesians 1:4). Election is always grounded in divine love, not human deserving.