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First mention of God's love in the Bible

tonychanyt

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Deuteronomy 7:

7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Moses wrote that just before he died. It was the first explicit mention of God’s love in the Bible. It highlighted God’s unconditional, covenantal, and redemptive love for Israel, emphasizing that His choice of them was based on His faithfulness to His promises rather than their own merits. Moses included this message to remind the Israelites of God’s love and faithfulness as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
 
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Reluctant Theologian

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Deuteronomy 7:7-8


Moses wrote that just before he died.
Your posts always trigger some useful thinking .. thanks :)

For a very nice overview of the Hebrew words for love that makes an educational read see:

God's Loving Graciousness - American Torah

Maybe the most important part:
There are essentially 3 Hebrew words that are frequently translated as love in the Old Testament.

אהב (H157), pronounced as ahab
חשׁק (H2836), pronounced as chasak
חסד (H2617), pronounced as chesed
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 is of the second form; but it's also used for very dysfunctional/damaging 'love' like in the story of Dinah in Genesis 34:8.
 
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