Deuteronomy 10:17 tells us that the LORD is supreme over every other power and authority, and that He is fair to everyone without favoring the rich, the powerful, or anyone who tries to bribe Him. Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel as they stood on the edge of the Promised Land, reminding them of the character of the God who had chosen them.
For the LORD 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.
Deuteronomy 10:17 (WEB)
What Deuteronomy 10:17 Means
The verse begins by naming God as “God of gods, and Lord of lords.” In the ancient world, many people believed in multiple gods, each with a limited sphere of influence. Moses is saying that the LORD stands above all of them. Calling Him “the great God, the mighty, and the awesome” adds weight: He is not only above rival deities, but worthy of reverence and wonder.
The final clause is the surprising part. God “doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward.” In plain terms, He does not judge people by their status, wealth, or background, and He cannot be bought. The verse does not promise that God will always give you what you want, but it does assure you that His judgments are honest and His favor is not for sale.
The Context of Deuteronomy 10:17
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah, presented as a series of speeches Moses gave to Israel near the end of their wilderness wanderings, just before they entered Canaan. Traditionally Moses is named as its author, and its first audience was the new generation who had grown up in the desert. Their parents had rebelled, and now the nation was being called to renew its covenant with the LORD.
The verses just before and after Deuteronomy 10:17 give it its shape. Verse 15 speaks of God’s love for the ancestors and His choice of their descendants. Verse 16 calls the people to circumcise their hearts and stop being stiff-necked. Verses 18 and 19 then show that God “executes justice for the fatherless and widow” and “loves the foreigner,” and Israel is commanded to do the same because they were once foreigners in Egypt. Read this way, the impartiality of God in verse 17 is not an abstract idea but the basis for how His people should treat the vulnerable.
Key Phrases in Deuteronomy 10:17
Acts 10:34-35
34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
(WEB)
Peter’s words in this passage echo the impartiality of Deuteronomy 10:17, declaring that God shows no partiality and accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. The New Testament makes clear that this divine fairness extends beyond Israel to the whole world.
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.
(WEB)
Paul writes that there is no partiality with God, a teaching that draws directly on the Old Testament theme found in Deuteronomy. It shows that God’s even-handed justice applies to Jew and Gentile alike, which fits the concern for fairness that runs through Moses’ speech.
A Short Prayer From Deuteronomy 10:17
Lord, you are God of gods and Lord of lords, greater than every power I can see and every one I fear. Thank you that you do not favor the rich over the poor or the strong over the weak, and that no gift or bribe can change your judgment. Help me to trust your fairness when life feels unjust, and help me to reflect your impartial love toward the people I meet today, especially those who have nothing to offer me in return. Amen.
