Focused Passage

Deuteronomy 4:1-8

Hear, Obey, and Do Not Forget: The Incomparable God and His Word

From the command to keep the statutes as the condition of life (vv. 1-8), through the memory command and image prohibition rooted in the Horeb event (vv. 9-24), to the projection of exile and return (vv. 25-31), and finally to the climactic argument for exclusive loyalty from the incomparability of the LORD (vv. 32-40) — the chapter moves from obligation through history through warning through doxology.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

2You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

3Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.

4But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.

5See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.

6Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

7For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

8And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 11BSB references Deuteronomy 8:1Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 6:1Classic cross-references Romans 10:5Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 11:1Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:5Classic cross-references

Original words

Hearשְׁמַ֤עH8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositionnowוְעַתָּ֣הH6258Conjunctive waw | AdverbO Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singularthe statutesהַֽחֻקִּים֙H2706Article | Noun - masculine plural. . .וְאֶל־H413Conjunctive waw | Prepositionand ordinancesהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםH4941Article | Noun - masculine plural-אֲשֶׁ֧רH834Pronoun - relativeIאָֽנֹכִ֛יH595Pronoun - first person common singularam teachingמְלַמֵּ֥דH3925Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularyouאֶתְכֶ֖םH853Direct object marker | second person masculine pluralto followלַעֲשׂ֑וֹתH6213Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructso thatלְמַ֣עַןH4616Conjunctionyou may liveתִּֽחְי֗וּH2421Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine pluraland may enterוּבָאתֶם֙H935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine pluraland take possessionוִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣םH3423Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerof the landהָאָ֔רֶץH776Article | Noun - feminine singularthatאֲשֶׁ֧רH834Pronoun - relativethe LORDיְהוָ֛הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularthe Godאֱלֹהֵ֥יH430Noun - masculine plural constructof your fathersאֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖םH1Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine pluralis givingנֹתֵ֥ןH5414Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularyouלָכֶֽם׃Preposition | second person masculine plural

Verse 2

Cross-references

Revelation 22:18Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 12:32Classic cross-references Proverbs 30:6Classic cross-references Ecclesiastes 12:13Classic cross-references Joshua 1:7Classic cross-references

Original words

You must notלֹ֣אH3808Adverb - Negative particleaddתֹסִ֗פוּH3254Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine pluraltoעַל־H5921Preposition. . .הַדָּבָר֙H1697Article | Noun - masculine singularor subtractתִגְרְע֖וּH1639Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine pluralfromמִמֶּ֑נּוּH4480Preposition | third person masculine singularwhatאֲשֶׁ֤רH834Pronoun - relativeIאָנֹכִי֙H595Pronoun - first person common singularcommandמְצַוֶּ֣הH6680Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularyouאֶתְכֶ֔םH853Direct object marker | second person masculine plural. . .וְלֹ֥אH3808Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particleso that you may keepלִשְׁמֹ֗רH8104Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe commandmentsמִצְוֺת֙H4687Noun - feminine plural constructof the LORDיְהוָ֣הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularyour Godאֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םH430Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine pluralthatאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativeIאָנֹכִ֖יH595Pronoun - first person common singularam giving youמְצַוֶּ֥הH6680Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular-אֶתְכֶֽם׃H853Direct object marker | second person masculine plural

Verse 3

Cross-references

Numbers 25:1Classic cross-references Numbers 31:16Classic cross-references Psalms 106:28Classic cross-references Hebrews 2:2Classic cross-references Joshua 22:17Classic cross-references

Original words

Your eyesעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙H5869Noun - cdc | second person masculine pluralhave seenהָֽרֹאֹ֔תH7200Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural-אֵ֛תH853Direct object markerwhatאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativethe LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singulardidעָשָׂ֥הH6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularvvvבְּבַ֣עַלH1187Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singularat Baal-peorפְּע֑וֹרH1187Conjunctionforכִּ֣יH3588Noun - masculine singular constructthe LORDיְהוָ֥הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularyour Godאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָH430Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singulardestroyedהִשְׁמִיד֛וֹH8045Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularfrom among youמִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃H7130Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularallכָל־H3605Article | Noun - masculine singular. . .הָאִ֗ישׁH376Pronoun - relativewhoאֲשֶׁ֤רH834Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularfollowedהָלַךְ֙H1980Preposition. . .אַחֲרֵ֣יH310Prepositionvvvבַֽעַל־H1187PrepositionBaal of Peorפְּע֔וֹרH1187Noun - proper - feminine singular

Verse 4

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 10:20Classic cross-references John 6:67Classic cross-references Joshua 23:8Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 30:20Classic cross-references Revelation 14:4Classic cross-references

Original words

But youוְאַתֶּם֙H859Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine pluralwho held fastהַדְּבֵקִ֔יםH1695Article | Adjective - masculine singularto the LORDבַּיהוָ֖הH3068Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singularyour Godאֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םH430Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural[are] aliveחַיִּ֥יםH2416Noun - masculine pluralto this dayהַיּֽוֹם׃H3117Article | Noun - masculine singularevery one of youכֻּלְּכֶ֖םH3605Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural

Verse 5

Cross-references

1 Thessalonians 4:1Classic cross-references Matthew 28:20Classic cross-references 1 Corinthians 11:23Classic cross-references Acts 20:20Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 11:1Classic cross-references

Original words

Seeרְאֵ֣ה׀H7200Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularI have taughtלִמַּ֣דְתִּיH3925Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singularyouאֶתְכֶ֗םH853Direct object marker | second person masculine pluralstatutesחֻקִּים֙H2706Noun - masculine pluraland ordinancesוּמִשְׁפָּטִ֔יםH4941Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine pluraljust asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Preposition-k | Pronoun - relativethe LORDיְהוָ֣הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularmy Godאֱלֹהָ֑יH430Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singularhas commanded meצִוַּ֖נִיH6680Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singularso that you may follow themלַעֲשׂ֣וֹתH6213Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct. . .כֵּ֔ןH3651Adverbinבְּקֶ֣רֶבH7130Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructthe landהָאָ֔רֶץH776Article | Noun - feminine singularthatאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativeyouאַתֶּ֛םH859Pronoun - second person masculine pluralare about to enterבָּאִ֥יםH935Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural. . .שָׁ֖מָּהH8033Adverb | third person feminine singularand possessלְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃H3423Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular

Verse 6

Cross-references

Job 28:28Classic cross-references Psalms 111:10Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 29:9Classic cross-references Ephesians 5:17Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 28:13Classic cross-references

Original words

Observe themוַעֲשִׂיתֶם֒H6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine pluralcarefullyוּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮H8104Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine pluralforכִּ֣יH3588Conjunctionthisהִ֤ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularwill show your wisdomחָכְמַתְכֶם֙H2451Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine pluraland understandingוּבִ֣ינַתְכֶ֔םH998Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine pluralin the sightלְעֵינֵ֖יH5869Preposition-l | Noun - cdcof the peoplesהָעַמִּ֑יםH5971Article | Noun - masculine pluralwhoאֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativewill hearיִשְׁמְע֗וּןH8085Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun-אֵ֚תH853Direct object markerof allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructtheseהָאֵ֔לֶּהH428Article | Pronoun - common pluralstatutesהַחֻקִּ֣יםH2706Article | Noun - masculine pluraland sayוְאָמְר֗וּH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralSurelyרַ֚קH7535Adverbthisהַזֶּֽה׃H2088Article | Pronoun - masculine singulargreatהַגָּד֖וֹלH1419Article | Adjective - masculine singularnationהַגּ֥וֹיH1471Article | Noun - masculine singular[is] a wiseחָכָ֣םH2450Adjective - masculine singularand understandingוְנָב֔וֹןH995Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularpeopleעַם־H5971Noun - masculine singular

Verse 7

Cross-references

Jeremiah 33:3Classic cross-references Psalms 145:18Classic cross-references Psalms 46:1Classic cross-references Isaiah 55:6Classic cross-references 2 Samuel 7:23Classic cross-references

Original words

Forכִּ֚יH3588Conjunctionwhatמִי־H4310Interrogativenation [is]ג֣וֹיH1471Noun - masculine singulargreat enoughגָּד֔וֹלH1419Adjective - masculine singulartoאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativehaveל֥וֹPreposition | third person masculine singulara godאֱלֹהִ֖יםH430Noun - masculine plural[as] nearקְרֹבִ֣יםH7138Adjective - masculine pluralto themאֵלָ֑יוH413Preposition | third person masculine singularas the LORDכַּיהוָ֣הH3068Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singularour God [is to us]אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּH430Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common pluralwheneverבְּכָּל־H3605Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructwe callקָרְאֵ֖נוּH7121Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common pluralon Himאֵלָֽיו׃H413Preposition | third person masculine singular

Verse 8

Cross-references

Psalms 147:19Classic cross-references Romans 7:12Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:1Classic cross-references Ezekiel 20:11Classic cross-references Psalms 119:128Classic cross-references

Original words

And whatוּמִי֙H4310Conjunctive waw | Interrogativenation [is]גּ֣וֹיH1471Noun - masculine singulargreat enoughגָּד֔וֹלH1419Adjective - masculine singulartoאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativehaveל֛וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularrighteousצַדִּיקִ֑םH6662Adjective - masculine pluralstatutesחֻקִּ֥יםH2706Noun - masculine pluraland ordinancesוּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖יםH4941Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plurallike thisהַזֹּ֔אתH2063Article | Pronoun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֧רH834Pronoun - relativeentireכְּכֹל֙H3605Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular constructlawהַתּוֹרָ֣הH8451Article | Noun - feminine singularIאָנֹכִ֛יH595Pronoun - first person common singularsetנֹתֵ֥ןH5414Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularbefore youלִפְנֵיכֶ֖םH6440Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine pluraltodayהַיּֽוֹם׃H3117Article | Noun - masculine singular

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