Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:1-20
Deu.30.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- כל: DET
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- הברכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והקללה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- והשבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הדיחך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- שמה: ADV
Parallels
- Deut.4.30 (structural): Same Deuteronomic framework: exile as consequence followed by a turn back to the LORD when distress comes—echoes the clause 'when all these things come upon you... and you return.'
- Leviticus 26.40-45 (thematic): God outlines curses for disobedience and then promises restoration if the people confess and return—parallels the pattern of punishment, return, and restoration implied in Deut 30:1.
- Jeremiah 29.10-14 (thematic): Promise that after the exile God will bring his people back and they will seek/return to him—reflects the same hope of return from among the nations where the LORD has driven them.
- Ezekiel 36.24-28 (allusion): Prediction that God will regather exiles from the nations and give them a new/circumcised heart to follow him—connects the motif of return from dispersion and inward turning to God.
- 2 Chronicles 7.14 (thematic): Call to humility, prayer, and turning to God so that he will heal and restore the land—parallels the covenantal logic that repentance/return after judgment leads to restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, when all these things—the blessing and the curse—that I have set before you come upon you, and you return in your heart among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you there,
- And it shall be, when all these things—the blessing and the curse—which I have set before you come upon you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,
Deu.30.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- ושמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בקלו: PREP
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:30 (verbal): Uses almost identical language about returning to the LORD and obeying his voice in future distress—close verbal parallel and repetition of the promise.
- Deuteronomy 30:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: lays out the promise that if Israel returns to the LORD and obeys, God will restore them—direct continuation and framing of 30:2.
- Leviticus 26:40-42 (verbal): Speaks of confession, turning/returning to God, and God remembering his covenant—shares the motifs and some wording of return, confession, and divine faithfulness.
- Jeremiah 29:12-13 (thematic): Promises that when people call and seek God with all their heart he will hear and be found—echoes the call to return and wholehearted seeking in Deut 30:2.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (thematic): Conditions blessing on the people’s humility, prayer, seeking God and turning from wrongdoing—parallels the conditional return/obedience and God's response found in Deut 30:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- then you shall return to the LORD your God and obey his voice, according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul.
- and you return to the LORD your God and obey his voice, according as I command you this day, you and your sons, with all your heart and with all your soul,
Deu.30.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושב: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- שבותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורחמך: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m
- ושב: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- וקבצך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מכל: PREP
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הפיצך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- שמה: ADV
Parallels
- Jer.30.3 (verbal): Nearly identical promise: God will 'restore the fortunes' of his people and bring them back—explicit restoration of Israel from exile.
- Ezek.36.24-28 (verbal): God pledges to 'gather you from the nations,' have compassion, restore and renew Israel (cleansing, new heart)—strong verbal and thematic echo of gathering and restoration.
- Isa.43.5-6 (thematic): God promises to bring and gather his people from east and west, calling them back from the ends of the earth—theme of ingathering from the nations.
- Ps.107.2-3 (thematic): Celebrates the redeemed being gathered 'from the lands' and restored by the Lord—reflects the motif of deliverance and regathering after dispersion.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you; he will return and gather you from all the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you.
- then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you; he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.
Deu.30.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נדחך: VERB,niphal,imf,2,m,sg
- בקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- משם: PREP
- יקבצך: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- ומשם: CONJ+PREP+ADV
- יקחך: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 43:5-6 (verbal): God promises to bring the people back from the east and west and to gather them — language closely echoing Deut. 30:4's pledge to gather those 'at the ends of the heavens.'
- Isaiah 11:12 (verbal): Speaks of gathering the dispersed of Israel from the 'four corners of the earth,' parallel verbal/thematic imagery of gathering exiles from the ends of the earth.
- Ezekiel 11:17 (verbal): Yahweh declares he will gather Israel from among the nations and bring them to their land — very similar promise of retrieval and return from dispersion.
- Jeremiah 31:8-10 (thematic): Promises return and gathering of the exiles (from the north and other lands); develops Deuteronomic theme of divine restoration of the dispersed people.
- Psalm 147:2 (thematic): Celebrates God 'gathering the outcasts of Israel,' echoing the motif of Yahweh assembling his scattered people.
Alternative generated candidates
- If your exile is at the farthest edge of the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
- Even if your exiles are at the farthest ends of the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and from there he will fetch you.
Deu.30.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והביאך: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ירשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- וירשתה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- והיטבך: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- והרבך: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- מאבתיך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
Parallels
- Deut.30.3 (structural): Immediate context/parallel within the same unit: the LORD will bring back Israel to their land and gather them from the nations.
- Exod.3.8 (thematic): God’s promise to bring Israel out and give them a ‘‘good land’’—the theme of divine deliverance into the ancestral land.
- Gen.17.8 (thematic): Patriarchal covenantal promise: God will give the land to Abram and his offspring—foundation for later promises of possession.
- Lev.26.9-11 (thematic): Priestly covenantal assurance that God will make Israel fruitful, multiply them, and dwell among them in their land—echoes of blessing and multiplication.
- Ezek.37.21-22 (allusion): Prophetic assurance of regathering the scattered house of Israel and bringing them into their own land—a later development of the restoration motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.
- And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good and multiply you more than your fathers.
Deu.30.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומל: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לאהבה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- למען: PREP
- חייך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Deut.6.5 (verbal): Repeats the command to love the LORD 'with all your heart and with all your soul' — the same language that Deut 30:6 makes possible by God's inward work.
- Deut.10.16 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'circumcise... the foreskin of your heart' (an imperative); Deut 30:6 echoes and transforms this idea by promising God himself will circumcise the heart.
- Ezek.36.26-27 (allusion): God promises to give a new heart and put his Spirit within so people will follow his statutes — a close prophetic parallel to divine inward transformation enabling love and obedience.
- Jer.31.33-34 (thematic): The new-covenant promise to put God's law on hearts and to know the LORD personally resonates with Deut 30:6's promise of internal change so that people will love God and live.
- Rom.2.28-29 (verbal): Paul's assertion that true 'circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit' echoes Deut 30:6's concept of inward, Spirit-wrought circumcision that produces genuine love and life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
- And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Deu.30.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- האלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- על: PREP
- איביך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- שנאיך: PART,qal,ptcp,pl,m+2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- רדפוך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl,pr2ms
Parallels
- Deut.32.35 (verbal): Moses' song declares 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' similarly locating recompense for enemies in the hand of the LORD—both passages portray God as executing judgment on Israel's adversaries.
- Rom.12.19 (quotation): Paul quotes/'Vengeance is mine; I will repay' (echoing Deut 32:35) to teach that God will repay wrongdoers—paralleling Deut 30:7’s promise that God will put curses on Israel’s persecutors.
- Isa.49.25 (thematic): God promises to 'contend with those who contend with you' and to deliver the oppressed by turning the wrongs back on their attackers—closely matching the theme of God punishing Israel’s enemies in Deut 30:7.
- Ps.18:39-40 (thematic): The psalm celebrates divine deliverance by which God makes the enemy turn back and be broke—echoing Deut 30:7’s motif of God acting against those who hate or persecute his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you and who persecute you.
- And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you and who persecuted you.
Deu.30.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- ושמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מצותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 30:2 (verbal): Uses the same pair of motifs — returning to the LORD and obeying his voice — closely echoing the language and promise of restoration in 30:8.
- Deuteronomy 30:10 (verbal): Reiterates the command to 'obey the voice of the LORD' and to 'keep his commandments,' a near-verbatim parallel emphasizing obedience as the condition of blessing.
- Deuteronomy 11:13 (verbal): Contains the formula 'if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day,' echoing the phraseology ('commandments... this day') and the call to heed God's voice.
- Joshua 1:7 (thematic): Joshua is exhorted to be strong and 'observe to do according to all the law' — a leadership application of the same covenantal demand to obey God's commandments.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (thematic): The Shema's call to love the LORD and to keep his commandments with wholehearted devotion reflects the covenantal expectation of return and obedience implicit in 30:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and do all his commandments which I command you this day.
- And you shall return and obey the voice of the LORD and do all his commandments that I command you this day.
Deu.30.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והותירך: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg,suff-2ms
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- בפרי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בטנך: NOUN,m,sg,sfx
- ובפרי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs-2ms
- ובפרי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדמתך: NOUN,f,sg,sfx
- לטובה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לשוש: VERB,qal,inf
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- לטוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
Parallels
- Deut 28:11 (verbal): Uses almost identical blessing language: Yahweh causes abundance in the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb/land—close verbal parallel to the promise of flourishing.
- Deut 11:13-15 (thematic): Links obedience to agricultural prosperity (rain, yield of the land, food) — shares the theme of conditional/renewed blessing on the land and offspring.
- Isaiah 62:4-5 (allusion): Speaks of God rejoicing over his people as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride—parallels Deut's language of Yahweh 'rejoicing over you for good.'
- Zephaniah 3:17 (verbal): Explicitly says the LORD 'rejoices over you with gladness,' echoing Deut's formula of God's rejoicing over his people for good.
- Psalm 115:14-15 (thematic): A blessing invoking increase for you and your children and the Lord's blessing on Israel—resonates with Deut's promise of fruitfulness and divine favor.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hands, in the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your livestock, and the fruit of your ground—for good; for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers.
- And the LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground; for the LORD will again take delight in doing you good as he delighted in your fathers.
Deu.30.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תשמע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- לשמר: VERB,qal,inf
- מצותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- וחקתיו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- הכתובה: ADJ,ptc,pass,f,sg,def
- בספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 30:2 (verbal): Immediate context: repeats the call to return to the LORD and keep the commandments written in the book of the law, echoing the conditional pattern of 30:10.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (verbal): Shares the distinctive phrase 'with all your heart and with all your soul,' linking wholehearted devotion to obedience to God's commandments.
- Joshua 1:8 (verbal): Echoes the language about the 'book of the law' and the necessity of meditating on and keeping what is written there as the basis for success and obedience.
- 2 Chronicles 30:9 (thematic): Hezekiah's appeal uses the same promise: if the people return to the LORD and keep his commandments, God will be gracious and not forsake them—paralleling Deut. 30:10's return/obedience motif.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (thematic): Promises that seeking God 'with all your heart' results in finding him; complements Deut. 30:10's link between wholehearted return and relationship with the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you obey the voice of the LORD your God and keep his commandments and statutes written in this Book of the Law, and if you return to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
- If you obey the voice of the LORD your God to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu.30.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- המצוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- נפלאת: ADJ,f,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- רחקה: ADJ,f,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.30.14 (verbal): Immediate continuation/parallel within the same pericope: reiterates that the commandment is 'near you, in your mouth and in your heart,' echoing the claim that it is not hidden or far off.
- Rom.10:6-8 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites and applies Deut 30:11-14 ('The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart') to argue that righteousness by faith is accessible and not remote.
- Deut.6:6-7 (verbal): Similar phrasing and theme: 'These words… shall be in your heart' and the imperative to keep and teach the law — emphasizes nearness and interior possession of the command.
- Josh.1:8 (thematic): Commands meditation on and obedience to the law ('this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth… meditate on it day and night'), echoing the idea that the law is near and to be continually engaged with.
- Ps.119:11 (thematic): 'Thy word I have hidden in my heart' parallels the Deuteronomic theme that God's commandment belongs to the heart and is accessible rather than distant.
Alternative generated candidates
- for this commandment which I command you this day is not too wondrous for you, nor is it beyond reach.
- For this commandment that I command you today is not too wondrous for you, nor is it far off.
Deu.30.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- בשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- השמימה: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקחה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- וישמענו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,pl(obj)
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ונעשנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 30:11 (verbal): Immediate context stating the command is not hidden or beyond reach—closely parallels the claim that the law is not 'in heaven' and is accessible to the people.
- Deuteronomy 30:14 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same passage: 'in your mouth and in your heart'—emphasizes the nearness and accessibility of God's word, echoing 30:12.
- Romans 10:6-8 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Deut 30:12–14 ('Who will ascend into heaven? ... the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart') to argue that righteousness and salvation are near and accessible.
- Deuteronomy 29:29 (thematic): Contrasts 'secret things' belonging to God with revealed matters belonging to Israel—similarly distinguishes what is inaccessible in heaven from what is revealed and to be obeyed.
- Acts 17:27 (thematic): Paul's Areopagus speech insists God is not far and can be sought by humans—shares the theme of God's nearness and the accessibility of knowledge/relationship with God found in Deut 30:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend for us to heaven and bring it to us, and make us hear it that we may do it?'
- It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it to us and make us hear it, that we may do it?'
Deu.30.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- אל: NEG
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ויקחה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- וישמענו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ונעשנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
Parallels
- Deut.30.12 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same pericope: 'It is not in heaven...'—the pair of clauses (not in heaven / not beyond the sea) frames the point about the law's accessibility.
- Deut.30.14 (verbal): Direct continuation of the thought: the commandment is 'in your mouth and in your heart,' completing the contrast with 'not beyond the sea' and stressing nearness and internalization.
- Deut.6.6-7 (thematic): Earlier Torah injunction that God's words 'shall be on your heart' and taught to your children—same theme of the law being near, internal, and to be spoken in daily life.
- Romans 10:6-8 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites the Deuteronomic language ('not in heaven... but the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart') to argue that righteousness is accessible and not achieved by distant deeds.
- Nehemiah 8:8 (thematic): When the law is read and explained so the people understand, it makes God's word accessible to the community—echoing Deut.'s concern that the command is not remote but knowable and practicable.
Alternative generated candidates
- Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross for us to the other side and bring it to us, and make us hear it that we may do it?'
- Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross to the other side of the sea and bring it to us and make us hear it, that we may do it?'
Deu.30.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאד: ADV
- בפיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ובלבבך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN+PRON,m,sg,2,m,sg
- לעשתו: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Romans 10:8-10 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Deut 30:14 ('The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart') to argue that righteousness comes by confessing with the mouth and believing in the heart.
- Deut.30:11 (structural): Immediate context in the same speech: Moses insists the commandment is not too hard or far off, framing v.14's claim that the word is near and accessible.
- Jeremiah 31:33 (allusion): God's promise to 'put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts' echoes the internalization expressed by 'in your mouth and in your heart.'
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (thematic): God's gift of a new heart and Spirit to enable obedience parallels the idea that God's word resides within believers and is to be enacted from the heart.
- Psalm 119:11 (verbal): 'I have stored up your word in my heart' uses similar language of word and heart, linking internal possession of God's instruction with faithful action.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the matter is very near to you: it is in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.
- But the matter is very near to you— in your mouth and in your heart— to do it.
Deu.30.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- החיים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המות: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.30:19 (verbal): Same speech and vocabulary: God sets before the people life and death and commands them to choose life—direct continuation/repetition of the idea.
- Deut.11:26-28 (verbal): An earlier formulation in the Deuteronomic speeches: Moses declares he has set before Israel a blessing and a curse—parallel legal rhetoric of choices with covenant consequences.
- Josh.24:15 (thematic): Joshua's summons to decisive choice—'choose this day whom you will serve'—echoes the imperative to choose between life/loyalty to God and death/alienation.
- Matt.7:13-14 (thematic): Jesus' contrast of two ways—one broad leading to destruction, one narrow leading to life—transposes the Deuteronomic life/death choice into moral/eschatological teaching.
- Rom.6:23 (thematic): Paul's juxtaposition of 'wages of sin = death' and 'gift of God = eternal life' reflects the biblical pairing of death vs. life as the outcome of human choice and covenant fidelity.
Alternative generated candidates
- See, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil.
- See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.
Deu.30.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאהבה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- בדרכיו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,suff3ms
- ולשמר: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- מצותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- וחקתיו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- ומשפטיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- וחיית: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ורבית: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- וברכך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.6.5 (verbal): Same fundamental command to love the LORD your God (’ahavta et‑YHWH), framing covenantal obedience as devotion.
- Leviticus 18.5 (verbal): Links obedience to statutes with life—“keep my statutes…and you shall live”—echoed in Deut.30’s promise of life for obedience.
- Leviticus 26.3-9 (thematic): Promises blessing in the land for walking in God’s statutes and keeping his commandments, paralleling Deut.30’s covenantal blessing for obedience.
- Joshua 1.8 (thematic): Commands faithful observance of the law with the promise of prosperity and success in the land—similar connection of obedience to flourishing.
- Jeremiah 7.23 (quotation): Prophetic restatement of the covenant formula—“obey my voice…and walk in all the ways that I command you, that it may be well with you”—echoing Deut.30’s call to walk in God’s ways for life and blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes and his rules, that you may live and be multiplied, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land which you are entering to possess.
- In that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his rules, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
Deu.30.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- יפנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תשמע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ונדחת: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,sg
- והשתחוית: VERB,hithpael,perf,2,m,sg
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ועבדתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:3 (quotation): The Decalogue's command 'You shall have no other gods before me' corresponds directly to Deut 30:17's prohibition against turning the heart to and worshiping other gods.
- Deuteronomy 13:6–11 (structural): This law prescribes punishment for anyone (even a close relative or prophet) who entices Israel to serve other gods, mirroring Deut 30:17's warning about turning the heart and serving foreign deities.
- Joshua 24:20 (verbal): Joshua warns that if the people forsake Yahweh and serve foreign gods, he will turn and harm them—language and consequence closely echo the conditional curse in Deut 30:17.
- Psalm 81:11–12 (thematic): These verses describe Israel's refusal to listen and their giving over to a 'stubborn' heart, a thematic parallel to Deut 30:17's depiction of a turning heart that leads to idolatry.
- Romans 1:25 (allusion): Paul's description of people 'exchanging the truth of God for a lie' and worshiping creation rather than the Creator echoes the Deuteronomic motif of turning from God to serve other gods.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if your heart turns away and you do not obey, and you are led astray and bow down to other gods and serve them,
- But if your heart turns away and you are drawn off and you bow down to other gods and serve them,
Deu.30.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הגדתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- אבד: VERB,qal,infabs
- תאבדון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאריכן: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לבא: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- שמה: ADV
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:63-68 (verbal): Part of the covenant curse tradition: promises of scattering, loss of the land, shortened life and perishing as consequences of disobedience—language and theme closely parallel Deut 30:18.
- Leviticus 26:33-39 (thematic): Earlier priestly covenant warnings about exile, land desolation, and children dying in captivity; shares the motif of divine judgment by removal from the land.
- Deuteronomy 4:25-27 (structural): An earlier Deuteronomic warning that Israel will be scattered among nations and fail to enjoy long life in the land if they turn to other gods—parallel structure and consequence.
- Joshua 23:15-16 (allusion): Joshua echoes Moses' Deuteronomic warnings: if the people transgress, they will be scattered among the nations and perish—directly recalls the threat of not prolonging days in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- I declare to you this day: you shall surely perish; you will not prolong your days in the land to which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
- I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not long endure on the land that you pass over the Jordan to enter and possess.
Deu.30.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- העידתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- החיים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמות: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- הברכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והקללה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובחרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בחיים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למען: PREP
- תחיה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- וזרעך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2ms
Parallels
- Deut.30.15 (verbal): Same chapter and near-duplicate wording: God sets before Israel 'life and good, death and evil' — framing the choice to live by covenant obedience.
- Deut.11.26-28 (verbal): Earlier Deuteronomic formulation: 'See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse' — the motif of blessing/curse set before the people is repeated here.
- Joshua 24.15 (thematic): Joshua's call to Israel to 'choose this day whom you will serve' echoes Deuteronomy's imperative to choose life (i.e., faithful allegiance to YHWH) with communal and generational consequences.
- Leviticus 18.5 (thematic): Links obedience to statutes with life ('You shall live by them') — supports Deuteronomy's moral theology that covenant obedience yields life for individuals and offspring.
Alternative generated candidates
- I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.
- I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live;
Deu.30.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לאהבה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- בקלו: PREP
- ולדבקה: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- חייך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- וארך: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ימיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2,m,sg
- לאברהם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ליצחק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וליעקב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (verbal): Same command to love YHWH (’ahavta et‑YHWH) — links Deut 30:20’s opening injunction to the central Shema formula to love God with whole heart/strength.
- Deuteronomy 5:33 (structural): Connects obedience/walking in God's ways with life and well‑being in the land — similar promise language about living and enjoying the land as a consequence of obedience.
- Joshua 23:8 (verbal): Admonition to 'cling to the LORD your God' (dabaq be‑YHWH) echoes Deut 30:20’s call to 'cleave to him' — same verb and covenantal admonition.
- Jeremiah 7:23 (verbal): God’s formula 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God...' parallels Deut 30:20’s emphasis on listening to God's voice as the basis for covenant life/blessing.
- John 14:15 (thematic): New Testament echo: 'If you love me, keep my commandments' parallels Deut’s linkage of love for God with obedience — a continuity in love→obedience as the mark of covenant relationship.
Alternative generated candidates
- To love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him—for he is your life and the length of your days—so that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
- and that you may love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cling to him; for he is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers— to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob— to give them.
And it shall be, when all these things—the blessing and the curse that I have set before you—come upon you, and when, among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, you return to your heart,
and you return to the LORD your God and obey his voice, according to all that I command you today—you and your children—with all your heart and with all your soul,
then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you; he will return and gather you from all the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you.
If you are driven to the farthest parts of the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate and pursue you. And you shall return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command you today.
The LORD your God will prosper you in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb, in the increase of your cattle, and in the produce of your land, for good; for the LORD will again take delight in you to do you good, as he delighted in your fathers.
If you obey the voice of the LORD your God to keep his commandments and statutes written in this Book of the Law, when you return to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
for this commandment which I command you today is not hidden from you, nor is it distant.
It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend for us to heaven and bring it to us, and make us hear it, that we may do it?’
Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross for us to the other side of the sea and bring it to us, and make us hear it, that we may do it?’ But the matter is very near to you— in your mouth and in your heart— to do it.
See, I set before you today life and good, death and evil.
I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, statutes, and ordinances; then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not obey, and you are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them,
I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you will not prolong your days upon the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
to love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to hold fast to him; for he is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers— to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob— to give them.