Focused Passage

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

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

32 Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported?

33 Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived?

34 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

35 You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.

36 He let you hear His voice from heaven to discipline you, and on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the fire.

37 Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power,

38 to drive out before you nations greater and mightier than you, and to bring you into their land and give it to you for your inheritance, as it is this day.

39 Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

40 Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 32

Cross-references

Psalms 147:20 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 32:7 Classic cross-references Job 8:8 Classic cross-references Exodus 34:10 Classic cross-references Joel 2:21 Classic cross-references

Original words

Indeed כִּ֣י H3588 Conjunction ask שְׁאַל־ H7592 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular now נָא֩ H4994 Interjection from one end וּלְמִקְצֵ֥ה H7097 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct of the heavens הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural to וְעַד־ H5704 Conjunctive waw | Preposition [the other] קְצֵ֣ה H7097 Noun - masculine singular construct . . . הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural about the days לְיָמִ֨ים H3117 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural that אֲשֶׁר־ H834 Pronoun - relative long רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים H7223 Adjective - masculine plural preceded הָי֣וּ H1961 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural you לְפָנֶ֗יךָ H6440 Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular from לְמִן־ H4480 Preposition-l the day הַיּוֹם֙ H3117 Article | Noun - masculine singular that אֲשֶׁר֩ H834 Pronoun - relative God אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀ H430 Noun - masculine plural created בָּרָ֨א H1254 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular man אָדָם֙ H120 Noun - masculine singular on עַל־ H5921 Preposition earth הָאָ֔רֶץ H776 Article | Noun - feminine singular Has anything as הַזֶּ֔ה H2088 Article | Pronoun - masculine singular great הַגָּדוֹל֙ H1419 Article | Adjective - masculine singular as this כַּדָּבָ֤ר H1697 Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular ever happened הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה H1961 Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular or א֖וֹ H176 Conjunction - כָּמֹֽהוּ׃ H3644 Preposition | third person masculine singular been reported הֲנִשְׁמַ֥ע H8085 Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

Verse 33

Cross-references

Isaiah 6:8 Classic cross-references 1 Kings 19:12 Classic cross-references Exodus 19:4 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 5:24 Classic cross-references Isaiah 40:25 Classic cross-references

Original words

Has a people עָם֩ H5971 Noun - masculine singular ever heard הֲשָׁ֣מַֽע H8085 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular the voice ק֨וֹל H6963 Noun - masculine singular construct of God אֱלֹהִ֜ים H430 Noun - masculine plural speaking מְדַבֵּ֧ר H1696 Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular out of מִתּוֹךְ־ H8432 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct the fire הָאֵ֛שׁ H784 Article | Noun - common singular as כַּאֲשֶׁר־ H834 Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative you אַתָּ֖ה H859 Pronoun - second person masculine singular have שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ H8085 Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular and lived וַיֶּֽחִי׃ H2421 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

BSB notes

Or of a god

Verse 34

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 26:8 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 5:15 Classic cross-references Exodus 6:6 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 7:19 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 7:8 Classic cross-references

Original words

Or א֣וֹ׀ H176 Conjunction has any god אֱלֹהִ֗ים H430 Noun - masculine plural tried הֲנִסָּ֣ה H5254 Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular . . . לָ֠בוֹא H935 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct to take לָקַ֨חַת H3947 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct as his own ל֣וֹ Preposition | third person masculine singular a nation גוֹי֮ H1471 Noun - masculine singular out of מִקֶּ֣רֶב H7130 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct another nation גּוֹי֒ H1471 Noun - masculine singular by trials בְּמַסֹּת֩ H4531 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural signs בְּאֹתֹ֨ת H226 Preposition-b | Noun - common plural wonders וּבְמוֹפְתִ֜ים H4159 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural and war וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗ה H4421 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular by a strong חֲזָקָה֙ H2389 Adjective - feminine singular hand וּבְיָ֤ד H3027 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular and an outstretched נְטוּיָ֔ה H5186 Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular arm וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ H2220 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular and by great גְּדֹלִ֑ים H1419 Adjective - masculine plural terrors וּבְמוֹרָאִ֖ים H4172 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural as כְּ֠כֹל H3605 Preposition | Noun - masculine singular - אֲשֶׁר־ H834 Pronoun - relative the LORD יְהוָ֧ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural did עָשָׂ֨ה H6213 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular for you לָכֶ֜ם Preposition | second person masculine plural in Egypt בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם H4714 Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular before your eyes לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ H5869 Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular

Verse 35

Cross-references

Isaiah 44:6 Classic cross-references 1 Chronicles 28:9 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 32:39 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 7:9 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 6:4 Classic cross-references

Original words

You אַתָּה֙ H859 Pronoun - second person masculine singular were shown [these things] הָרְאֵ֣תָ H7200 Verb - Hofal - Perfect - second person masculine singular so that you would know לָדַ֔עַת H3045 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct that כִּ֥י H3588 Conjunction the LORD יְהוָ֖ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular . . . ה֣וּא H1931 Pronoun - third person masculine singular is God הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים H430 Article | Noun - masculine plural there is no אֵ֥ין H369 Adverb other ע֖וֹד H5750 Adverb besides Him מִלְבַדּֽוֹ׃ H905 Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Verse 36

Cross-references

2 Timothy 3:16 Classic cross-references Exodus 19:9 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 5:4 Classic cross-references Exodus 19:19 Classic cross-references Exodus 20:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

He let you hear הִשְׁמִֽיעֲךָ֥ H8085 Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker His voice קֹל֖וֹ H6963 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular from מִן־ H4480 Preposition heaven הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural to discipline you לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ H3256 Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular and on וְעַל־ H5921 Conjunctive waw | Preposition earth הָאָ֗רֶץ H776 Article | Noun - feminine singular He showed הֶרְאֲךָ֙ H7200 Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular you אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker His great הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה H1419 Article | Adjective - feminine singular fire אִשּׁ֣וֹ H784 Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular and you heard שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ H8085 Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular His words וּדְבָרָ֥יו H1697 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular out of מִתּ֥וֹךְ H8432 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct the fire הָאֵֽשׁ׃ H784 Article | Noun - common singular

Verse 37

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 10:15 Classic cross-references Exodus 20:6 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 31:3 Classic cross-references Mark 10:14 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 2:21 Classic cross-references

Original words

Because וְתַ֗חַת H8478 Conjunctive waw | Preposition . . . כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction He loved אָהַב֙ H157 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker your fathers אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ H1 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular He chose וַיִּבְחַ֥ר H977 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular their descendants בְּזַרְע֖וֹ H2233 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular after them אַחֲרָ֑יו H310 Preposition | third person masculine singular and brought you וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ֧ H3318 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular out of Egypt מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ H4714 Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular by His presence בְּפָנָ֛יו H6440 Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular and great הַגָּדֹ֖ל H1419 Article | Adjective - masculine singular power בְּכֹח֥וֹ H3581 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Verse 38

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 11:23 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 7:1 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 9:1 Classic cross-references Judges 13:22 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 2:31 Classic cross-references

Original words

to drive out לְהוֹרִ֗ישׁ H3423 Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct before you מִמְּךָ֖ H4480 Preposition | second person masculine singular . . . מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ H6440 Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular nations גּוֹיִ֛ם H1471 Noun - masculine plural greater גְּדֹלִ֧ים H1419 Adjective - masculine plural and mightier [than you] וַעֲצֻמִ֛ים H6099 Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural and to bring you לַהֲבִֽיאֲךָ֗ H935 Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker into their land אַרְצָ֛ם H776 Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural and give it to you לָֽתֶת־ H5414 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct for your לְךָ֧ Preposition | second person masculine singular inheritance נַחֲלָ֖ה H5159 Noun - feminine singular as it is this הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088 Article | Pronoun - masculine singular day כַּיּ֥וֹם H3117 Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 39

Cross-references

Isaiah 44:6 Classic cross-references Colossians 1:16 Classic cross-references Joshua 2:11 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:35 Classic cross-references Psalms 100:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

Know therefore וְיָדַעְתָּ֣ H3045 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular this day הַיּ֗וֹם H3117 Article | Noun - masculine singular and take וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֮ H7725 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular to אֶל־ H413 Preposition heart לְבָבֶךָ֒ H3824 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular that כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction the LORD יְהוָה֙ H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular . . . ה֣וּא H1931 Pronoun - third person masculine singular is God הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים H430 Article | Noun - masculine plural in heaven בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם H8064 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural above מִמַּ֔עַל H4605 Preposition-m | Adverb and on וְעַל־ H5921 Conjunctive waw | Preposition the earth הָאָ֖רֶץ H776 Article | Noun - feminine singular below מִתָּ֑חַת H8478 Preposition-m there is no אֵ֖ין H369 Adverb other עֽוֹד׃ H5750 Adverb

Verse 40

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 5:33 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 33:25 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 6:3 Classic cross-references Ephesians 6:3 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 30:20 Classic cross-references

Original words

Keep וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֞ H8104 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker His statutes חֻקָּ֣יו H2706 Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and commandments מִצְוֺתָ֗יו H4687 Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular which אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834 Pronoun - relative I אָנֹכִ֤י H595 Pronoun - first person common singular am giving you today מְצַוְּךָ֙ H6680 Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular . . . הַיּ֔וֹם H3117 Article | Noun - masculine singular so that אֲשֶׁר֙ H834 Pronoun - relative you and your children וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ H1121 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular after you אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ H310 Preposition | second person masculine singular may prosper יִיטַ֣ב H3190 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular and that וּלְמַ֨עַן H4616 Conjunction you may live long תַּאֲרִ֤יךְ H748 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular . . . יָמִים֙ H3117 Noun - masculine plural in עַל־ H5921 Preposition the land הַ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה H127 Article | Noun - feminine singular that אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834 Pronoun - relative the LORD יְהוָ֧ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular is giving נֹתֵ֥ן H5414 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular you לְךָ֖ Preposition | second person masculine singular for all כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct time הַיָּמִֽים׃פ H3117 Article | Noun - masculine plural

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