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Deuteronomy 7:8 - Divine love fulfills ancestral oath.

Deuteronomy 7:8 - דברים 7:8

Hebrew Text

כִּי מֵאַהֲבַת יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם וּמִשָּׁמְרוּ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם הוֹצִיא יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וַיִּפְדְּךָ מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים מִיַּד פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn to your fathers, has the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Par῾o king of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Ki me'ahavat Adonai etkhem umishamru et-hashvu'a asher nishba la'avoteikhem hotzi Adonai etkhem beyad chazaka vayifdekha mibeit avadim miyad Par'o melech-Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּי֩ מֵאַהֲבַ֨ת יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶתְכֶ֗ם וּמִשׇּׁמְר֤וֹ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הוֹצִ֧יא יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָ֣ד חֲזָקָ֑ה וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים מִיַּ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֥ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
כִּי֩ מֵאַהֲבַ֨ת יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶתְכֶ֗ם וּמִשׇּׁמְר֤וֹ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הוֹצִ֧יא יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָ֣ד חֲזָקָ֑ה וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים מִיַּ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֥ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Love and Oath to the Forefathers

The verse emphasizes two primary reasons for the Exodus: Hashem's love for Bnei Yisrael and His fulfillment of the oath to the Avot (forefathers). Rashi (Devarim 7:8) explains that Hashem's love for Israel is intrinsic and not contingent on their merits—it is an expression of His boundless chesed (kindness). The Ramban (ibid.) expands on this, noting that the oath to the Avot reflects the unbreakable covenant established with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, ensuring redemption even in times of spiritual decline.

The Mighty Hand of Redemption

The phrase "בְּיָד חֲזָקָה" (with a mighty hand) is interpreted by the Sforno as a reference to the supernatural miracles that accompanied Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). The Talmud (Berachot 9a) teaches that the "strong hand" symbolizes Hashem's direct intervention, overpowering Pharaoh's resistance through the Ten Plagues and the splitting of the Yam Suf.

Redemption from the "House of Bondmen"

The term "מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים" (from the house of bondmen) is analyzed by the Malbim as highlighting not only physical slavery but also spiritual degradation. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:1) describes how Bnei Yisrael had nearly assimilated into Egyptian culture, yet Hashem redeemed them to fulfill their destined role as His chosen nation.

  • Hashem's Unconditional Love: As taught by the Ohr HaChaim, this love is eternal, rooted in the unique relationship between Hashem and Klal Yisrael.
  • The Oath to the Avot: The Ibn Ezra notes that this oath (mentioned in Bereishit 15:13-14) guaranteed redemption regardless of Israel's spiritual state at the time.
  • Divine Power Over Pharaoh: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) explains that Pharaoh's stubbornness served to magnify Hashem's supremacy, as seen in the escalation of the plagues.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the verse say God redeemed us from Egypt?
A: The verse explains two reasons: 1) Because of God's love for the Jewish people, and 2) To fulfill the oath He made to our forefathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). This shows God's faithfulness to both His promises and His chosen people (Rashi on Deuteronomy 7:8).
Q: What does 'with a mighty hand' mean in this verse?
A: The 'mighty hand' refers to the great miracles and plagues God performed in Egypt to free the Jewish people. The Talmud (Berachot 9a) explains this demonstrates God's supreme power over nature and human rulers like Pharaoh.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is fundamental because it establishes that our redemption from Egypt wasn't earned through our merits, but came from God's love and His covenant with our ancestors. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 2:4) teaches we must always remember this divine kindness.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as God redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, we trust He will ultimately redeem us in the future. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 15:1) connects this verse to our belief in final redemption, showing God's eternal commitment to His people.
Q: What does 'house of bondmen' refer to?
A: This refers to the slavery in Egypt where the Israelites were oppressed. The Sforno explains that God didn't just free us from physical slavery, but from the psychological bondage of being 'the house of slaves' - transforming us into free servants of God.