Deuteronomy 10:17 - For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward.
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What does "Deuteronomy 10:17" mean?
Deuteronomy 10:17 is a powerful statement about the unique character and justice of God. Let's break down each element:
"For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords..."
Yahweh: This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It emphasizes God's covenant relationship with the Israelites.
God of gods, and Lord of lords: This doesn't necessarily mean there are other gods that Yahweh rules over in a literal sense. Instead, it's a superlative expression indicating Yahweh's supreme power and authority. He is the ultimate God, exceeding any other so-called divine beings that people might worship. It affirms monotheism or, at the very least, Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy.
"...the great God, the mighty, and the awesome..."
These are descriptive adjectives that highlight God's attributes.
Great: Refers to God's vastness, majesty, and importance.
Mighty: Emphasizes God's power and strength.
Awesome: Indicates God's capacity to inspire reverence, fear (in a respectful sense), and awe.
"...who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward."
This is the crucial part that speaks to God's justice and impartiality.
Doesn't respect persons: This means God is not biased or partial. He doesn't favor individuals based on their wealth, social status, ethnicity, or any other external factor.
Nor takes reward: God cannot be bribed or influenced by gifts or offerings to show favoritism or to overlook injustice. His judgment is based solely on righteousness.
In summary, the verse emphasizes the following:
God's Uniqueness and Supremacy: Yahweh is the ultimate authority, far above any other perceived deities.
God's Power and Majesty: He is great, mighty, and inspires awe.
God's Justice and Impartiality: God is not swayed by favoritism or bribery. He treats everyone fairly, regardless of their status.
Implications:
Call to Justice: This verse serves as a call for the Israelites (and by extension, all people) to emulate God's justice in their own lives. They are to treat each other fairly and not show partiality to the rich or powerful.
Hope for the Oppressed: The verse offers hope to the vulnerable and marginalized, assuring them that God sees their plight and will ultimately bring about justice.
Warning to the Powerful: It serves as a warning to those in positions of power not to abuse their authority or exploit others, as God will hold them accountable.
Therefore, Deuteronomy 10:17 is a foundational statement about God's character, emphasizing his unrivaled power and his unwavering commitment to justice. It challenges believers to reflect that same justice in their own lives and societies.
Deuteronomy 10:17 - For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward.
What does "Deuteronomy 10:17" mean?
Deuteronomy 10:17 is a powerful statement about the unique character and justice of God. Let's break down each element:
"For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords..."
Yahweh: This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It emphasizes God's covenant relationship with the Israelites.
God of gods, and Lord of lords: This doesn't necessarily mean there are other gods that Yahweh rules over in a literal sense. Instead, it's a superlative expression indicating Yahweh's supreme power and authority. He is the ultimate God, exceeding any other so-called divine beings that people might worship. It affirms monotheism or, at the very least, Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy.
"...the great God, the mighty, and the awesome..."
These are descriptive adjectives that highlight God's attributes.
Great: Refers to God's vastness, majesty, and importance.
Mighty: Emphasizes God's power and strength.
Awesome: Indicates God's capacity to inspire reverence, fear (in a respectful sense), and awe.
"...who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward."
This is the crucial part that speaks to God's justice and impartiality.
Doesn't respect persons: This means God is not biased or partial. He doesn't favor individuals based on their wealth, social status, ethnicity, or any other external factor.
Nor takes reward: God cannot be bribed or influenced by gifts or offerings to show favoritism or to overlook injustice. His judgment is based solely on righteousness.
In summary, the verse emphasizes the following:
God's Uniqueness and Supremacy: Yahweh is the ultimate authority, far above any other perceived deities.
God's Power and Majesty: He is great, mighty, and inspires awe.
God's Justice and Impartiality: God is not swayed by favoritism or bribery. He treats everyone fairly, regardless of their status.
Implications:
Call to Justice: This verse serves as a call for the Israelites (and by extension, all people) to emulate God's justice in their own lives. They are to treat each other fairly and not show partiality to the rich or powerful.
Hope for the Oppressed: The verse offers hope to the vulnerable and marginalized, assuring them that God sees their plight and will ultimately bring about justice.
Warning to the Powerful: It serves as a warning to those in positions of power not to abuse their authority or exploit others, as God will hold them accountable.
Therefore, Deuteronomy 10:17 is a foundational statement about God's character, emphasizing his unrivaled power and his unwavering commitment to justice. It challenges believers to reflect that same justice in their own lives and societies.