Deuteronomy 7:8 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 7:1-11

See Deuteronomy 6:10 note.Deuteronomy 7:5Their groves - Render, their idols of wood: the reference is to the wooden trunk used as a representation of Ashtaroth; see Deuteronomy 7:13 and Exodus 34:13 note.Deuteronomy 7:7The fewest of all people - God chose for Himself Israel, when as yet but a single family, or rather a single person, Abraham; though there were already numerous nations and powerful kingdoms in the earth. Increase Deuteronomy 1:10; Deuteronomy 10:22 had taken place because of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Deuteronomy 7:7-8. The fewest To wit, at that time, when God first declared his choice of you for his peculiar people, which was done to Abraham. For Abraham had but one son concerned in this choice and covenant, namely, Isaac, and that was not till he was in his hundredth year; and Isaac was sixty years old ere he had a child, and then had only two children; and though Jacob had twelve sons, yet it was a long time before they made any considerable increase. Nor do we read of any great... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 7:1-26

The promised land (7:1-8:20)Israel’s responsibility was to destroy the people of Canaan along with everything connected with their religion, so that nothing would remain in the land that might corrupt God’s people (7:1-5). Israel’s favoured place as God’s chosen people was not an excuse for them to do as they liked, but a reason for them to avoid corruption and be holy. If they were disobedient, they would surely be punished (6-11). But if they were obedient, they would enjoy the blessings of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 7:8

loved. Hebrew. 'ahab, love in its highest sense, love that delights in its object. bondmen. Compare Deuteronomy 5:6 , and Exodus 20:2 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 7:6-11

Ver. 6-11. The reasons are here given for such cautious avoiding whatever might offend God. For, 1. They were a chosen generation to show forth his praises, and therefore bound to answer the gracious designs of God. There was in them no cause moving God to such peculiar regard, but his own sovereign choice and love; for they were the fewest in number, and had proved themselves sufficiently perverse and ungrateful in their conduct. He adds the promise made to their fathers, for whose sake they... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Ver. 7, 8. The Lord did not set his love upon you, &c.— To preserve them from pride and a conceit of their own greatness, Moses here advises them to remember, that it was not their numbers, their strength, or external grandeur, it was not any merit or qualification of their own, which had caused the Lord thus to choose and distinguish them. These great promises were made to their forefathers when they were a small family, and of little consideration in the world. The eminent virtues of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 7:1-11

Moses mentioned seven nations that resided in Canaan here (Deuteronomy 7:1), but as many as 10 appear in other passages (cf. Genesis 15:19-21; Exodus 34:11; Numbers 13:28-29; Judges 3:5). Perhaps Moses named seven here for rhetorical purposes, seven being a number that indicates completion or fullness. One reason for the total extermination of these idolaters was the evil effect their corrupt worship would have on the Israelites and their relationship with Yahweh (Deuteronomy 7:4). [Note: See... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 7:1-26

3. Examples of the application of the principles chs. 7-11"These clearly are not laws or commandments as such but primarily series of parenetic homilies in which Moses exhorted the people to certain courses of action in light of the upcoming conquest and occupation of Canaan. Within these sections, however, are specific and explicit injunctions based upon the Decalogue and anticipatory of further elaboration in the large section of detailed stipulations that follows (Deuteronomy 12:1 to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 7:1-26

Practical Exhortations (continued)In this chapter the people are warned against temptations to idolatry and enjoined to avoid contact with their idolatrous neighbours: see on Exodus 23:32-33; Numbers 25:16-18.1. On the tribes inhabiting Canaan see on Numbers 13:21. 5. Images] RV ’pillars,’ or obelisks. Groves] RV ’Asherim’: see on Exodus 34:13. 6. Special people] RV ’peculiar people’: see on Exodus 19:5.13. On the promise of material prosperity as the reward of obedience, see on Exodus... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 7:8

(8) But because the Lord loved you.—And this, again, was not due to themselves, as he points out fully in Deuteronomy 9:4, &c. read more