Morning thoughts on Judaism, henotheism and being 'chosen'; or, Yet Another Way English Connotations Lead To Misconceptions.
The word that is used in the phrase that gets translated as "chosen people" is segulah ( סגלה ), which means literally 'property'.
The word that is used in the phrase that gets translated as "chosen people" is segulah ( סגלה ), which means literally 'property'.
There's a connotation of 'private property' and a sense of value to it - something treasured, special. The root is 'shut up, locked away'. So in context it's not so much 'you guys are destined for greatness' it's more 'my precioussssss'.
This is particularly important given the henotheistic, as opposed to monotheistic language in the Torah. The Torah doesn't say that Hashem is the only God in existence. In fact, there are a number of places where it heavily implies the opposite.
What it definitely does say is that God is the only god *for the Jews*. That we, specifically, and not any other people are forbidden from worshipping other gods. That's the covenant. It's a contract between The Jews and Hashem. It's like a monogamous marriage.
In context, that's what 'chosen' is related to. That's what God's telling us. "I, Hashem, will have only you as my special, treasured, precious People and you, The Jews, will have only me as your God."
The phrase has been used for centuries by antisemites to claim that Jews think we're better than everyone else. That we think we're the only ones with divine favor, but that's not what the text says.
In fact, the text specifically rejects that meaning. In Deut. 7:6 Moses tells the people that God has chosen them to be God's special people. In 7:7-8 he says specifically that it is NOT because of [their] greatness, but because God promised their ancestors.
Just one quick reiteration here: It's EXPLICITLY not because of the greatness of Israel. Don't think it's because you're so great. You're not. It's just because God keeps God's promises so, y'know, reciprocate on that. Keep YOUR promises to God, too.
