Deuteronomy 7:6

My Notes

What Does Deuteronomy 7:6 Mean?

Moses declares Israel's unique identity: for 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.

Thou art an holy people — holy (qadosh) means set apart, distinct, separated for God's purposes. Israel's holiness is not moral perfection. It is positional distinction — they are set apart from all other nations for a specific relationship with God.

Unto the LORD thy God — the holiness is directional. They are holy unto God — set apart for him, belonging to him, dedicated to his purposes. The holiness is not self-referential. It is God-referential — their distinction exists because of their relationship to him.

The LORD thy God hath chosen thee — the election is divine initiative. God chose Israel. Israel did not choose God first. The choosing (bachar) is selective and deliberate — God surveyed all nations and selected this one. Verse 7 clarifies: not because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people. The choosing was not based on Israel's qualifications. It was based on God's love (v.8).

A special people (am segullah) — a treasured possession, a prized possession. The word segullah refers to personal property of special value — like a king's private treasure distinct from the general treasury. Israel is God's segullah — his personal treasure, valued above all nations.

Above all people that are upon the face of the earth — the election is comparative. Not that other nations are worthless. But Israel holds a unique position — chosen, set apart, treasured — that no other nation occupies. The distinction is not superiority of character but uniqueness of calling.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does it mean to be 'holy' — set apart — and how is this different from moral perfection?
• 2.How does knowing God chose Israel as the 'fewest of all people' challenge the idea that election is based on merit?
• 3.What does being God's 'special treasure' (segullah) mean for how you see your own value?
• 4.How does 1 Peter 2:9 extend this identity to believers in Christ — and what does that mean for you?

Devotional

Thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. You are set apart. Not because you are better than everyone else. Not because you earned it. Because God decided it. Holy — distinct, different, separated for his purposes. Your identity is not defined by what you do. It is defined by whose you are.

The LORD thy God hath chosen thee. Chosen. God looked at every nation on earth and chose this one. Not the biggest. Not the most impressive. Not the most qualified. Verse 7 says Israel was the fewest of all people. God chose the smallest nation to be his special treasure. The choosing was not about Israel's merit. It was about God's love.

To be a special people unto himself. Special — segullah — a treasured possession. The word describes a king's personal treasure — the collection he values above the general treasury. You are God's personal treasure. Not part of the general inventory of creation. His prized possession. Valued. Kept. Cherished.

Above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The distinction is real. Not because you are superior. Because you are chosen. The position is not earned. It is given. And it comes with responsibility — holy people live holy lives, not to earn the position but because the position demands it.

If you are in Christ, Peter applies this exact language to you (1 Peter 2:9): a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. What was true of Israel is now true of you. You are chosen. You are treasured. You are set apart. Not by your merit. By his love.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture