Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֛ה
But because the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
But because the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וֹ
you and because he would keep
H8104
וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וֹ
you and because he would keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּע֙
which he had sworn
H7650
נִשְׁבַּע֙
which he had sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
9 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
unto your fathers
H1
לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
unto your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הוֹצִ֧יא
brought you out
H3318
הוֹצִ֧יא
brought you out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֛ה
But because the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
But because the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִיַּ֖ד
from the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֖ד
from the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חֲזָקָ֑ה
with a mighty
H2389
חֲזָקָ֑ה
with a mighty
Strong's:
H2389
Word #:
15 of 22
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙
and redeemed
H6299
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙
and redeemed
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
16 of 22
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
מִבֵּ֣ית
you out of the house
H1004
מִבֵּ֣ית
you out of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מִיַּ֖ד
from the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֖ד
from the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Exodus 20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Jeremiah 31:3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.Exodus 32:13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.Isaiah 43:4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.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 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.Psalms 44:3For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.Psalms 105:42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.Matthew 11:26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Historical Context
God's oath to Abraham occurred around 2000 BC; the Exodus around 1446 BC (traditional dating)—a 600-year span demonstrating God's long-range covenant faithfulness. The 'house of bondmen' refers to Egypt where Israel served as forced laborers for Pharaoh's building projects (Exodus 1:11-14). Archaeological evidence from the Nile Delta confirms substantial Semitic presence during this period. The Exodus redemption became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, referenced throughout Scripture as proof of God's saving power and faithfulness to promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness to His ancient promises strengthen your confidence in His current promises?
- What 'house of bondage' has God redeemed you from, and how should that shape your gratitude?
- In what ways does recognizing salvation as God's initiative transform how you approach Christian living?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse grounds Israel's election in God's love and covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'because the LORD loved you' (me'ahavat YHWH) makes divine love the ultimate explanation. God's love is uncaused, flowing from His nature not Israel's attractiveness. The 'oath to your fathers' refers to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 22:16-18), demonstrating God's covenant immutability. The 'mighty hand' and redemption from Egypt prove God's power to save. This establishes the pattern of redemptive history: God initiates, promises, and accomplishes salvation. The parallel to Christian salvation is exact—saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), based on God's eternal covenant in Christ (2 Timothy 1:9).