Deuteronomy 26:7 - Then we cried to Yahweh, the God of our fathers. Yahweh heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 26:7

What does "Deuteronomy 26:7" mean?


Deuteronomy 26:7, "Then we cried to Yahweh, the God of our fathers. Yahweh heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression," is a powerful and concise summary of the Israelites' experience in Egypt and God's response. Let's break it down:

"Then we cried to Yahweh, the God of our fathers." This shows the Israelites in a state of desperation, turning to God in prayer for help. Calling Him "the God of our fathers" emphasizes the covenant relationship He had with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are appealing to God's past promises and faithfulness to their ancestors.

"Yahweh heard our voice," This signifies that God acknowledged their prayer. He was attentive to their suffering and didn't ignore their pleas.

"and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression." This highlights the depth of the Israelites' suffering in Egypt:

Affliction: General hardship, pain, and distress.
Toil: Hard labor, difficult work, and exhausting efforts as slaves.
Oppression: Cruel and unjust treatment, being suppressed and dominated by the Egyptians.

In essence, this verse encapsulates the following:

1. The Israelites' distress: They were in a desperate situation of suffering as slaves in Egypt.
2. Their appeal to God: They turned to God, remembering His covenant with their ancestors.
3. God's attentiveness: God heard their prayers and recognized the extent of their suffering.

This verse is a testament to God's compassion and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His people when they call upon Him in their time of need. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses which describe God's mighty acts in delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The recitation of this verse was part of the ritual of offering the firstfruits, a tangible expression of gratitude to God for His deliverance and provision.