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Deuteronomy 4:37

Deuteronomy 4:37 in Multiple Translations

Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power,

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;

And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt;

And because of his love for your fathers, he took their seed and made it his, and he himself, present among you, took you out of Egypt by his great power;

Because he loved your forefathers, he chose you, their descendants. He himself led you out of Egypt by his great power,

And because hee loued thy fathers, therefore hee chose their seede after them, and hath brought thee out of Egypt in his sight by his mightie power,

'And because that He hath loved thy fathers, He doth also fix on their seed after them, and doth bring thee out, in His presence, by His great power, from Egypt:

Because he loved your fathers, therefore he chose their offspring after them, and brought you out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt;

And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out of Egypt in his sight with his mighty power.

Because he loved thy fathers, and chose their seed after them. And he brought thee out of Egypt, going before thee with his great power,

Because he loved our ancestors, he chose you Israelis who are their descendants, and by his great power he brought your ancestors out of Egypt.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 4:37

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 4:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/תַ֗חַת כִּ֤י אָהַב֙ אֶת אֲבֹתֶ֔י/ךָ וַ/יִּבְחַ֥ר בְּ/זַרְע֖/וֹ אַחֲרָ֑י/ו וַ/יּוֹצִֽאֲ/ךָ֧ בְּ/פָנָ֛י/ו בְּ/כֹח֥/וֹ הַ/גָּדֹ֖ל מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם
וְ/תַ֗חַת tachath H8478 underneath Conj | Prep
כִּ֤י kîy H3588 for Conj
אָהַב֙ ʼâhab H157 to love V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
אֲבֹתֶ֔י/ךָ ʼâb H1 father N-mp | Suff
וַ/יִּבְחַ֥ר bâchar H977 to choose Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/זַרְע֖/וֹ zeraʻ H2233 seed Prep | N-ms | Suff
אַחֲרָ֑י/ו ʼachar H310 after Prep | Suff
וַ/יּוֹצִֽאֲ/ךָ֧ yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
בְּ/פָנָ֛י/ו pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff
בְּ/כֹח֥/וֹ kôach H3581 reptile Prep | N-ms | Suff
הַ/גָּדֹ֖ל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Art | Adj
מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 4:37

וְ/תַ֗חַת tachath H8478 "underneath" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
כִּ֤י kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אָהַב֙ ʼâhab H157 "to love" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֲבֹתֶ֔י/ךָ ʼâb H1 "father" N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וַ/יִּבְחַ֥ר bâchar H977 "to choose" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
בְּ/זַרְע֖/וֹ zeraʻ H2233 "seed" Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
אַחֲרָ֑י/ו ʼachar H310 "after" Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
וַ/יּוֹצִֽאֲ/ךָ֧ yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
בְּ/פָנָ֛י/ו pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בְּ/כֹח֥/וֹ kôach H3581 "reptile" Prep | N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
הַ/גָּדֹ֖ל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" Prep | N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 4:37

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 10:15 Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them, above all the peoples, even to this day.
2 Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
3 Exodus 13:9 It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.
4 Exodus 13:3 So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.
5 Isaiah 63:11–12 Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,
6 Exodus 13:14 In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
7 Exodus 33:14 And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
8 Psalms 105:6–10 O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
9 Psalms 114:1–6 When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel His dominion. The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
10 Isaiah 51:9–11 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Deuteronomy 4:37 Summary

This verse tells us that God loved the Israelites' fathers and chose their descendants to be His special people. He showed His great power by bringing them out of slavery in Egypt, just like He did in Exodus 14:13-31. This reminds us that God is a loving and powerful God who keeps His promises, as seen in Psalm 136:1-3. He wants us to know and love Him, and to trust Him with our lives, just as the Israelites were to do in Deuteronomy 4:39.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God choose the descendants of the Israelites' fathers?

God chose the descendants of the Israelites' fathers because He loved them, as stated in Deuteronomy 4:37, demonstrating His gracious and loving character, similar to His love for Abraham in Genesis 17:7.

What does it mean that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt by His presence and great power?

This refers to the miraculous events of the Exodus, where God demonstrated His power and presence through the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, as described in Exodus 14:13-31.

How does this verse relate to God's covenant with the Israelites?

This verse is a reminder of God's covenant promises to the Israelites, which were rooted in His love for their fathers, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6-9, and were fulfilled through His powerful deliverance of them from Egypt.

What can we learn about God's character from this verse?

From Deuteronomy 4:37, we can learn that God is a loving and powerful God who keeps His promises, as also seen in Psalm 136:1-3, and who desires a personal relationship with His people, as expressed in Jeremiah 31:3.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have I experienced God's love and power in my own life, and how can I trust Him more fully?
  2. What are some ways that God's presence and great power are still at work in the world today, and how can I be a part of it?
  3. In what ways can I reflect on the faithfulness of God, as seen in His love for the Israelites' fathers, and apply that to my own life and relationships?
  4. How can I pass on the story of God's love and deliverance to the next generation, just as the Israelites were to do in Deuteronomy 4:9-10?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 4:37

And because he loved thy fathers,.... Not their immediate fathers, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness, and entered not into the good land because of their unbelief, but their more remote fathers

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 4:37

(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:37

In his sight; keeping his eye fixed upon him, as the father doth on his beloved child. Or, with his presence, i.e. he did not send them forth by Moses, but he himself was present with them, and as it were marched along with them, in the pillar of cloud and fire.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:37

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;Ver. 37. Therefore he chose.] He chose for his love, and then loved for his choice: after God’ s example, deligas quem diligas.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:37

(37) Because he loved thy fathers.—The reasons for God’s choice of Israel are frequently stated in this book; and they are always stated in such a way as to enforce the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, and to show the Israelites that their own merit was in no way the ground of God’s choice.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 4:37

37. And because he loved thy fathers] So Hosea 11:1 f. In Pent. only here and Deuteronomy 10:15; but cp. Deuteronomy 7:8; Deuteronomy 7:13, Deuteronomy 23:5. The free grace and election of God is to the prophets and D the original motive of the wonderful and unparalleled history. and chose their seed after them] So Sam., LXX, Syr., Targ. and Vulg. Heb. has his seed after him which would mean Abraham. The change to the Sg. is interesting as showing how easily a writer passed from one number to the other. On chose see Deuteronomy 7:6.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:37

29-40. Terrible as will be their punishment if they forget Jehovah their God, there is hope of his mercy and love if they shall ever repent.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 4:37

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen God's Unchanging Love by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of Christian faith is rooted in God's unchanging love for humanity, as demonstrated throughout the history of Israel and illustrated throu
G. Campbell Morgan The Message of Deuteronomy by G. Campbell Morgan G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes in 'The Message of Deuteronomy' that God's love for humanity is the foundation of His governance, while man's love for God is the driving force behind
Jonathan Edwards Christians a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards preaches about the significance of Christians being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. He emphasizes how believers are
William Fitch God Uses Pain - Part 1 by William Fitch In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of God's presence and care in the midst of pain and suffering. He emphasizes that God does not promise exemption from pain, but ra
Charles Leiter God Carries His People by Charles Leiter In this sermon, the preacher addresses a crowd of believers and warns them not to be shocked or fearful when faced with opposition and persecution. He reminds them that God has bee
Bob Phillips The Conqueror From Edom by Bob Phillips In this sermon, the preacher discusses two classes of people mentioned in the Bible. One class experiences the wrath of God, with their blood and strength poured out on the earth.
Zac Poonen Listening, Unburdening & Worshipping - Part 4 by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of coming to God as a loving Father who desires to hear from His children. It uses the story of Mary and Lazarus to illustrate how Jesus sympa

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