Menu

Deuteronomy 26:18

Deuteronomy 26:18 in Multiple Translations

And today the LORD has proclaimed that you are His people and treasured possession as He promised, that you are to keep all His commandments,

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;

and Jehovah hath avouched thee this day to be a people for his own possession, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

And the Lord has made it clear this day that you are a special people to him, as he gave you his word; and that you are to keep all his orders;

Today the Lord has announced that you are a special people who belong to him as he promised. He has announced that you are to keep all his commandments.

And the Lord hath set thee vp this day, to be a precious people vnto him (as hee hath promised thee) and that thou shouldest keepe all his commandements,

'And Jehovah hath caused thee to promise to-day to become His people, a peculiar treasure, as He hath spoken to thee, and to keep all His commands;

The LORD has declared today that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments.

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

And the Lord hath chosen thee this day, to be his peculiar people, as he hath spoken to thee, and to keep all his commandments:

And today Yahweh has declared that you are his people, which is what he promised that you would be, and he commands you to obey all his commands.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 26:18

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 26:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַֽ/יהוָ֞ה הֶאֱמִֽירְ/ךָ֣ הַ/יּ֗וֹם לִ/הְי֥וֹת ל/וֹ֙ לְ/עַ֣ם סְגֻלָּ֔ה כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר לָ֑/ךְ וְ/לִ/שְׁמֹ֖ר כָּל מִצְוֺתָֽי/ו
וַֽ/יהוָ֞ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord Conj | N-proper
הֶאֱמִֽירְ/ךָ֣ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff
הַ/יּ֗וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms
לִ/הְי֥וֹת hâyâh H1961 to be Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
ל/וֹ֙ Prep | Suff
לְ/עַ֣ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Prep | N-ms
סְגֻלָּ֔ה çᵉgullâh H5459 possession N-fs
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel
דִּבֶּר dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Perf-3ms
לָ֑/ךְ Prep | Suff
וְ/לִ/שְׁמֹ֖ר shâmar H8104 to keep Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
מִצְוֺתָֽי/ו mitsvâh H4687 commandment N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 26:18

וַֽ/יהוָ֞ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" Conj | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
הֶאֱמִֽירְ/ךָ֣ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הַ/יּ֗וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
לִ/הְי֥וֹת hâyâh H1961 "to be" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
ל/וֹ֙ "" Prep | Suff
לְ/עַ֣ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
סְגֻלָּ֔ה çᵉgullâh H5459 "possession" N-fs
This word means a valuable possession or treasure, something that is highly prized. In the Bible, it's used to describe the treasure of the Israelites, like the jewels and precious metals they took from Egypt. It's also used to describe God's people as his special treasure.
Definition: 1) possession, property 1a) valued property, peculiar treasure 1b) treasure
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special. See also: Exodus 19:5; 1 Chronicles 29:3; Psalms 135:4.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
דִּבֶּר dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
לָ֑/ךְ "" Prep | Suff
וְ/לִ/שְׁמֹ֖ר shâmar H8104 "to keep" Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מִצְוֺתָֽי/ו mitsvâh H4687 "commandment" N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Definition: 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
Usage: Occurs in 177 OT verses. KJV: (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. See also: Genesis 26:5; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 19:9.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 26:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.
2 Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.
3 Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD will establish you as His holy people, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.
4 Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
5 Exodus 6:7 I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
6 Jeremiah 31:32–34 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the LORD. “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
7 Psalms 119:6 Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
8 Ezekiel 36:25–27 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.
9 Exodus 19:5–6 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
10 Romans 16:26 but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith —

Deuteronomy 26:18 Summary

This verse means that God has chosen us to be His special people, and He wants us to obey His commands because He loves us, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18. Being a treasured possession of the LORD is a great privilege, and it means that we are valued and loved by Him, just like it says in 1 Peter 2:9. As we seek to follow God's commands, we can remember that He has a special plan for us, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11, and that He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18 and Matthew 22:37-40. By following God's commands, we can show our love and gratitude for all that He has done for us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a 'treasured possession' of the LORD?

To be a treasured possession of the LORD means to be highly valued and loved by Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18, and to be set apart for His special purposes, as mentioned in Exodus 19:5 and 1 Peter 2:9.

Why is it important to keep all of God's commandments?

Keeping all of God's commandments is essential because it demonstrates our love and obedience to Him, as Jesus taught in John 14:15 and John 15:10, and it also helps us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 26:18.

How does this verse relate to our identity in Christ?

This verse relates to our identity in Christ because, as believers, we are also considered to be God's treasured possession, as mentioned in 1 Peter 2:9, and we are called to live a life that is obedient to His commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18 and Matthew 28:20.

What is the significance of the LORD 'proclaiming' that we are His people?

The significance of the LORD proclaiming that we are His people is that it is a declaration of His sovereignty and love for us, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18, and it is a reminder of our covenant relationship with Him, as mentioned in Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 8:10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to you to be considered a 'treasured possession' of the LORD, and how does this impact your daily life?
  2. In what ways can you demonstrate your love and obedience to God by keeping His commandments, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 26:18?
  3. How does your identity in Christ shape your understanding of your relationship with God, and what implications does this have for your life?
  4. What are some ways that you can 'walk in His ways' and 'keep His statutes and commandments', as mentioned in Deuteronomy 26:17, and how can you prioritize this in your daily life?
  5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and reverence for the fact that the LORD has 'proclaimed' that you are His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:18?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 26:18

And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people,.... Affirmed and declared them to be his special people, above all people on the face of the earth, and that they were looked upon

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 26:18

Hath owned thee for such before all the world by eminent and glorious communications and manifestations of his power and grace and favour in time and for thee, by a solemn entering into covenant with thee, and giving peculiar laws, promises, and privileges to thee above all mankind. That thou shouldest keep all his commandments; which is here mentioned as an act of God’ s, because though this be man’ s duty, yet it is the work of’ God’ s grace, that he will vouchsafe to give us such commands, that he doth require and will accept of our obedience to them, and that we have any power or will to obey them, ,27.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 26:18

Deuteronomy 26:16-19. CLOSE OF THE .(16) This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.—These words are not to be taken as part of the service described in the previous verses, but as the words of Moses in bringing his exhortation to a close. Rashi says, “Every day these commandments shall be new before thine eyes, as though on that very day thou hadst received them.” Thou shalt therefore keep and do them.—It is a beautiful thought that the form of this command (as of many others) makes it prophetic of its own fulfilment. “It is the voice from heaven blessing thee,” says Rashi. (See also Deuteronomy 30:6; Deuteronomy 30:8.) (17, 18) Thou hast avouched . . . and the Lord hath avouched.—The Hebrew word is simply the ordinary word for “to say.” “Thou hast said,” and “He hath said.” There is no distinctive word for “to promise” in Hebrew. “To say” is sufficient. “Hath He said, and shall He not do it?” “Let your yea be yea, and your nay nay,” like His. But Rashi says there is no exact parallel to this use of the verb in the Old Testament, except, perhaps, in Psalms 94:4, where it means, “they boast themselves.” Let Israel boast in God, and God will boast Himself of them, as His peculiar people. (19) And to make thee high.—Literally, most high; Heb., ‘Elyôn, a well-known name of God. Here, and in Deuteronomy 28:1, it is (prophetically and in the Divine purpose) applied to Israel. “Thou shalt put my Name upon the children of Israel” was the law of blessing for the priests (Numbers 6:27). In praise, and in name, and in honour.—Perhaps, rather, to be a praise, and to be a name, and to be an honour, and to become a people of holiness to Jehovah. There is an allusion to this in Jeremiah 33:9, “And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise, and an honour before all the nations of the earth;” and in Isaiah 62:6-7, “Ye that make mention of the name of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” But if, as some would have us believe, the Book of Deuteronomy draws these things from the prophets, rather than the prophets from Moses, how is it that there is not the faintest allusion in Deuteronomy to Jerusalem, which in the days of the prophets had become the centre of all these hopes?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 26:18

Verse 18. And the Lord hath avouched] Publicly declared, by the blessings he pours down upon them, that he has taken them to be his peculiar people. Thus the covenant is made and ratified between God and his followers.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 26:18

18. and Jehovah hath caused thee to say this day that thou wilt be unto him a peculiar people … and wilt keep all his commandments] Elsewhere in D the singular relation of Israel to Jehovah is stated as His promise and act, Deuteronomy 7:6, q.v., Deuteronomy 14:2; cp. Deuteronomy 27:9, Deuteronomy 29:13 (12). Here is the converse, the people’s engagement to be such, as in 2 Kings 11:17. Israel becomes His peculiar people by keeping all His commandments; that is the main thing! The phrase, as he hath said to thee, though unnecessary, is not the ‘senseless addition,’ which Steuern, alleges.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 26:18

18. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day — And Jehovah hath promised you this day that you shall be his peculiar people.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 26:18

SermonDescription
George Fox To His Parents by George Fox Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 34617 preaches on the concept of 'Possession' as described in Titus 2:14, where believers are depicted as Christ's costly possession and distin
T. Austin-Sparks The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing the person and purpose as interconnected. They express a strong burden for delivering this message and believe it is
Milton Green (Saved Through the Fire) 04 - Love & Righteousness by Milton Green In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving and encouraging one another, as words can hurt. He expresses a desire to share the teachings with the Pope, emphasiz
Morgan Bartlett Week of Meetings 01 by Morgan Bartlett In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of knowing and believing in the truth of God. Christians are called to walk in the truth, rejoice in the truth, and preach th
John W. Bramhall Studies in Zechariah 03 Zechariah 3: by John W. Bramhall In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Zechariah, specifically chapter 3. The sermon begins by emphasizing the importance of the blood of Jesus Christ in rebuking the
Ralph Sexton What to Do When the Stock Market Falls! by Ralph Sexton Ralph Sexton emphasizes the importance of remembering God's faithfulness during times of crisis, such as a stock market crash. He warns against forgetting our roots and the God who
Michael Durham God's Love for Himself by Michael Durham In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of God's love, specifically referencing John's first epistle chapter 4, verse 7 and 8. The preacher emphasizes the importance of l

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate