דברים, פרק ז׳, פסוק ז׳

The dynamic between a monarch and a nation is traditionally measured by numbers and raw power, as a king's glory relies heavily on the sheer size of his populace. However, the covenant between God and the Israelites operates in direct opposition to this human logic. Their bond is not founded on numerical superiority or military might, but rather on an intrinsic essence and a deep historical promise. As the Israelites stood on the precipice of conquering seven formidable nations, a critical misconception could have easily taken root. They might have assumed their selection was due to an overwhelming population and the physical strength required to secure victory [רשב״ם] and [חזקוני]. To dispel this, they are reminded that they are actually the absolute minority. Without this explicit clarification, one might have mistakenly concluded that their numbers were at least equal to those of other nations [אור החיים]. Even though their population had miraculously exploded from a mere seventy individuals into a vast assembly comparable to the stars of the sky, they still remained a tiny fraction when weighed against the rest of the world's empires [ביאור יש"ר].

The divine affection directed toward them carries a profound and enduring significance, representing an unbreakable connection rather than a fleeting fondness. This devotion shares a conceptual root with the silver bands that bound the pillars of the Tabernacle together, symbolizing an eternal, structural loyalty [רמב״ן], [אברבנאל], and [רבנו בחיי]. While a mortal king might abandon a shrinking populace, God bound Himself to the Israelites forever. This devotion is coupled with a deliberate act of selection, singling them out from all other alternatives to serve as a uniquely treasured people [אבן עזרא, רמב״ן].

Because their small population was an undeniable, visible reality, many scholars question why the Israelites would ever entertain the thought that they were chosen for their size. Consequently, the primary approach among commentators shifts the focus from physical numbers to the concepts of pride and humility. The rejection of their supposed magnitude is understood as a rejection of arrogance. God conveys that He did not choose them because they inflate themselves with pride when granted prosperity—a fatal flaw seen in the rulers of other nations, such as Pharaoh, Sennacherib, and Nebuchadnezzar, who achieved greatness only to immediately rebel. Instead, they were chosen because they possess the capacity to diminish and humble themselves even at the very height of their success, echoing the profound humility of figures like Abraham, who called himself mere dust and ashes, and Moses, who questioned his own significance.

Taking a qualitative rather than quantitative approach, [העמק דבר] suggests that this magnitude refers to intellectual capacity. The Israelites were blessed with a high proportion of intellectually driven individuals. Paradoxically, this mental dominance makes them the least likely to follow God with simple, unquestioning faith, as the human mind often demands tangible proofs and wanders toward foreign concepts. God deliberately chose them to harness this formidable intellectual power through the rigorous toil of Torah study. Alternatively, [כלי יקר] applies these concepts to a spiritual ledger. The Israelites might have assumed God desired them because they possessed an abundance of merits and chose them because they had a minority of sins, effectively picking the lesser of evils. This notion is entirely dismissed; the divine choice transcends any calculation of deeds, stemming purely from intrinsic love and the ancient oath sworn to the patriarchs.

The essence of their small numbers is beautifully illustrated by [מלבי״ם] through the metaphor of a fruit tree. While a tree consists of an abundance of wood, leaves, and bark, its actual fruit is quite scarce. The Israelites are the choicest fruit of the world—naturally few in number, yet the most cherished and desired element in the eyes of the Planter. Furthermore, despite their small stature, they were chosen because they possess a fierce, unyielding inner strength [רמב״ן] and [הטור הארוך]. This deeply ingrained resilience equips them to endure severe trials and carry the immense, demanding burden required of those uniquely beloved by God.