What Does Deuteronomy 10:15 Mean in the King James?

Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 10:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The choosing grows out of affection: the LORD’s attachment to the fathers reaches forward to their descendants.

THE MEANING

As you read now, the verse presents choosing as rooted in the LORD’s delight in the fathers, extending to their seed, the “you” addressed in the verse. Its focus is a bond carried across generations, present “as it is this day.”

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The idea that choosing begins with the descendants proving their worth gives way to the order in the verse: the LORD’s affection comes first, and choosing follows.

THE ROOT

חָשַׁק

ḥāšaq

GROWS FROM

ח־ש־ק

ḥ-sh-q

To attach, cling, or set affection upon.

The word translated “delight” carries the sense of attachment: affection that holds fast. The verse links that attachment with love and choosing, presenting them as one movement rather than a passing feeling.

ALSO GROWS

ḥesheq: Desire or longing

חֵשֶׁק

This noun form shows the root’s reach into deep desire, illuminating the strength of the LORD’s attachment.

ḥashuq: Attached or joined

חָשׁוּק

This form makes the bond within “delight” visible: the affection here is an attachment.

בָּחַר

bāḥar

GROWS FROM

ב־ח־ר

b-ḥ-r

To choose or select.

“chose” in this verse is bāḥar. The verse places choosing after the LORD’s attachment and love. Selection is the expression of an already-held affection.

ALSO GROWS

bāḥîr: Chosen one or elect

בָּחִיר

This form names the one who is chosen, showing that choosing establishes a relationship of belonging.

mibḥār: Choice or choicest selection

מִבְחָר

This form carries the idea of selection into what is singled out, echoing the verse’s choosing of the descendants.

זֶרַע

zeraʿ seed or

GROWS FROM

ז־ר־ע

z-r-ʿ

To sow; seed and offspring.

The same root names both what is sown and the descendants who come from it. “Their seed after them” therefore carries the image of a bond extending through generations.

ALSO GROWS

zāraʿ: To sow

זָרַע

The verb behind “seed” gives the descendants an image of what continues from what was planted.

zeraʿ: Seed or offspring

זֶרַע

This noun can name both literal seed and descendants, joining the language of planting to the family line in the verse.

THE PATTERN

Love initiates the bond, reaching toward people before their response or distinction.

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

Deuteronomy 7:7 · KJVThe same word for setting affection appears beside choosing, and the verse rules out the people’s size as its cause.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 · KJVLove moves toward the reader while the missing mark is still present; it does not wait for the reader to become worthy first.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10 · KJVThe verse locates love’s beginning in God’s movement toward us, before our love answers.

THE THREAD

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

Deuteronomy 7:7 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨חָשַׁק⁩ (ḥāšaq), “to attach or set affection,” alongside the language of choosing. Deuteronomy 7:7 adds that number did not cause the choosing, sharpening the picture of affection as its source.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us