Call to Obey
Deuteronomy 4:1-14
Deu.4.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- החקים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- המשפטים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מלמד: VERB,qal,ptcp,ms
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- למען: PREP
- תחיו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ובאתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- וירשתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבתיכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,2,pl
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 5:1 (structural): Moses again summons Israel with the same speech-formula to 'hear' the commandments and judgments—a structural parallel that frames the giving of the law (the Decalogue context).
- Deuteronomy 6:1-3 (thematic): Introductory command to keep the statutes so that the people may live and multiply in the land; echoes the purpose clause tying obedience to life and possession of the land.
- Leviticus 18:5 (verbal): Uses the same causal formula ('You shall keep my statutes... by them you shall live'), a close verbal parallel linking obedience to life.
- Deuteronomy 4:40 (verbal): Immediate intra‑chapter parallel with near‑identical wording ('that you may live, and go in and possess the land'); reiterates the promise and purpose of obedience.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (thematic): Joshua is charged to observe the law carefully with the promise of success/possession—continues the Mosaic theme that faithful observance of the statutes results in prosperous/secure life in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, Israel, hear the statutes and the judgments which I command you to do, that you may live and that you may go in and possess the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you.
- And now, Israel, hear the statutes and the judgments that I teach you to do, so that you may live and enter and possess the land that the LORD your God gives you.
Deu.4.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תספו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תגרעו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לשמר: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deut.12.32 (verbal): Near-identical wording and command — an explicit repeat of the prohibition not to add to or take away from what God has commanded.
- Proverbs 30.5-6 (verbal): Direct warning against adding to God's words ('Do not add to his words...'), echoing the same prohibition found in Deut 4:2.
- Revelation 22.18-19 (quotation): A New Testament warning not to add or take away from the book of prophecy; reflects and applies the same principle found in Deut 4:2 to Christian scripture.
- Isaiah 8.20 (thematic): Insists that judgment and instruction must come 'to the law and to the testimony' and rejects teachings outside God's revealed word, paralleling Deut 4:2's insistence on fidelity to God’s commands.
- Galatians 1.8 (thematic): Paul's condemnation of any 'gospel' contrary to the one preached echoes Deut 4:2's prohibition against altering God's revealed command.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
- You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor shall you take from it; keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu.4.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עיניכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- השמידו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- מקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Numbers 25:1-9 (quotation): The primary narrative account of the incident at Baal‑Peor: Israel's sexual/idolatrous liaison with Moabite women, the plague sent by Yahweh, and the killing of those who joined Baal‑Peor (including Phinehas' intervention). Direct correspondence with Deut.4:3's report of God destroying those who followed Baal‑Peor.
- Psalm 106:28-31 (quotation): Poetic retelling of the Baal‑Peor episode that explicitly names ‘Baal of Peor,’ recounts Israel's sin and the plague, and praises Phinehas for turning away God's wrath—echoes Deut.4:3’s description and outcome.
- Numbers 31:15-16 (allusion): Connects the Baal‑Peor seduction to the Midianite women and Balaam's counsel, providing the later military response against Midian because they caused Israel to commit the Baal‑Peor sin; clarifies the broader repercussions of the event mentioned in Deut.4:3.
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): Describes Israel’s recurring pattern of abandoning Yahweh to serve Baals and the resulting divine judgment/deliverance. The theme of idolatry leading to death or disaster parallels the moral and theological point of Deut.4:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal‑Peor; for every man who went after Baal‑Peor the LORD your God destroyed him from among you.
Deu.4.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- הדבקים: VERB,qal,ptcp,_,m,pl,def
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כלכם: PRON,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.30:20 (verbal): Same book and verb (לָדַבֵּק): explicitly links cleaving to YHWH with life — “and cleave to him, for he is your life.”
- Genesis 2:24 (verbal): Uses the same root דָּבַק (“cleave/cling”) to describe an intimate, binding attachment — “a man shall cleave to his wife.”
- Ruth 1:14–16 (verbal): Ruth’s declaration to Naomi uses דָּבַק/דָּבַקָה (she clung to Naomi); thematically parallels loyal attachment and commitment expressed by ‘clinging’.
- John 15:4–5 (thematic): Jesus’ command to ‘abide’/‘remain’ in him parallels the idea that spiritual attachment to God (or Christ) is the source of life and fruitfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you who cling to the LORD your God are all alive this day.
- But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.
Deu.4.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- למדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- חקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומשפטים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- כן: ADV
- בקרב: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.4.1 (verbal): Immediate context: Moses summons Israel to 'hear' the statutes and judgments he has taught—same wording and call to obedience as 4:5.
- Deut.6.1 (verbal): Reiteration that these are 'the statutes and judgments' the LORD commanded Moses to teach Israel so they should do them in the land they enter.
- Lev.18.4-5 (verbal): Divine injunction to 'follow my statutes and keep my rules' with the promise that obedience brings life—parallels the command to observe God's laws when possessing the land.
- Josh.1.7-8 (thematic): Joshua is told to observe and do all the law Moses commanded so he may prosper in taking possession of the land—echoes Deut.4:5's link between keeping the statutes and success in the land.
- Deut.4.40 (thematic): Explicit connection between keeping God's statutes and commandments and well‑being/long life in the land—same covenantal promise tied to obedience mentioned in 4:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as the LORD my God commanded me, for you to do in the land to which you are coming to possess it.
- See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as the LORD my God commanded me, to do in the land where you are going over to possess it.
Deu.4.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- חכמתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- ובינתכם: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ישמעון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- החקים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ואמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- רק: PRT
- עם: PREP
- חכם: ADJ,m,sg
- ונבון: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- הגוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:5 (structural): Immediate context: Moses declares he has taught Israel statutes and judgments so they should do them—setting up v.6's claim that obedience demonstrates wisdom before the nations.
- Deuteronomy 4:8 (verbal): Closely related wording and idea: other peoples will recognize there is no nation with statutes and judgments so righteous, echoing v.6’s motif of national reputation for wisdom.
- Exodus 19:5-6 (thematic): God's call for Israel to be a treasured possession, kingdom of priests and a holy nation — a corporate identity meant to set Israel apart as a witness before the peoples.
- Isaiah 42:6 (thematic): The servant is appointed as a covenant and 'a light for the nations,' paralleling Deut.4:6’s idea that Israel’s life under God's law will be a testimony to other peoples.
- Matthew 5:16 (thematic): Jesus’ injunction that believers let their light shine so others may see their good works and glorify God echoes the Deuteronomic theme of righteous conduct serving as a positive witness before others.
Alternative generated candidates
- Keep and do them; for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'
- Therefore keep and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'
Deu.4.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קרבים: VERB,qal,part,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כיהוה: PREP+PN,sg,m
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קראנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 147:19-20 (verbal): Explicitly echoes Deut 4:7’s idea — God has not dealt with any nation like he has with Israel; a close verbal/thematic parallel about Israel’s unique relationship with Yahweh.
- Deuteronomy 7:6 (thematic): Affirms Israel’s status as a chosen, holy people set apart to the LORD — same theme of a unique, intimate relationship between God and Israel.
- Psalm 33:12 (thematic): Declares the blessedness of a nation whose God is the LORD, reflecting the theme that Israel’s proximity to God confers special status and blessing.
- Jeremiah 23:23-24 (thematic): Addresses the nearness (and ubiquity) of God — ‘Am I a God at hand?’ — thematically related to Deut 4:7’s assertion that Yahweh is especially near to Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- For what great nation is there that has gods so near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call upon him?
- For what great nation is there that has gods so near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call upon him?
Deu.4.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומי: PRON,interr
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- חקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומשפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- צדיקם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ככל: PREP
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.4:5 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel — Moses introduces that he has taught the people "statutes and judgments," the same terminology echoed in 4:8.
- Deut.4:6 (structural): Closely connected context: the reason given that other nations will recognize Israel's wisdom and discernment because of obedience to these laws (continuation of the same thematic claim).
- Ps.147:19-20 (verbal): Uses the same vocabulary — God ‘declares his words, statutes and ordinances to Israel’ and ‘has not done so for any nation,’ echoing the uniqueness of Israel’s righteous laws.
- Isa.33:22 (thematic): Expresses the related theme of God as judge and lawgiver — linking the idea that Israel’s legal/judicial life derives from Yahweh’s unique role as lawgiver and judge.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?
- Or what other great nation has statutes and judgments as righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
Deu.4.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- השמר: VERB,hitpael,imperat,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ושמר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- מאד: ADV
- פן: CONJ
- תשכח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- ופן: CONJ
- יסורו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מלבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- חייך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- והודעתם: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,pl
- לבניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולבני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.6.7 (verbal): Directly parallels the command to teach God's words to one's children ('you shall teach them diligently to your children'), repeating the preservation-through-teaching motif.
- Deut.11.19 (verbal): Repeats the instruction to teach children so that the people and their children may long remain and know God's statutes—same legal/educational concern and language.
- Josh.4.6-7 (thematic): The memorial stones at the Jordan are set so future generations will ask and elders can recount God's deeds—a concrete example of preserving memories and 'telling your children.'
- Ps.78.5-7 (thematic): Psalmist stresses setting God’s works before the next generation, teaching children so they will trust God and not forget—echoes the didactic and mnemonic purpose of Deut.4:9.
- Prov.22.6 (thematic): Though proverbial, it reflects the same concern for forming the next generation ('train up a child...')—an applied, educational counterpart to Deuteronomy’s command to instruct children.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only take heed and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children.
- Only take care and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; teach them to your children and to your children's children.
Deu.4.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עמדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- באמר: PREP+VERB,qal,part,ms,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הקהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואשמעם: CONJ+VERB,hiph,impf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילמדון: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
- ליראה: VERB,qal,inf
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- בניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- ילמדון: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 19:3-8 (structural): Moses meets God at Sinai/Horeb and the covenant is declared to the people — the same assembly-setting and covenant-context behind Deut 4:10.
- Exodus 20:18-21 (thematic): All the people hear God's voice and are seized with fear, paralleling the emphasis in Deut 4:10 on the people hearing God's words and learning to fear the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 31:11-13 (verbal): An explicit repetition of the command to assemble all the people (men, women, children, sojourners) so they may hear, learn to fear the LORD, and obey the law — language closely echoing Deut 4:10.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (thematic): The charge to keep God's words in heart and to teach them diligently to your children parallels Deut 4:10's concern that parents teach their children to fear the LORD.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): Speaks of God appointing a law to be taught to the next generation so they might know and not forget God’s works — a thematic parallel about intergenerational instruction and fear of the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to me that I may let them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'
- The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD told me, 'Gather the people to me, that they may hear my words and learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children'—
Deu.4.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקרבון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ותעמדון: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וההר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- חשך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ענן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וערפל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 19:16-18 (verbal): The same Sinai scene: thunder, smoke/clouds on the mountain and the mountain ‘all in smoke’ as the LORD descended in fire — close verbal and narrative parallel to Deut 4:11.
- Exodus 20:18-19 (thematic): Describes the people's experience at Sinai (thunder, lightning, trumpet, and fear) — thematically parallels the terrifying divine manifestation in Deut 4:11.
- Deuteronomy 5:4-5 (verbal): Within the same covenant retelling Moses again situates the revelation at Horeb/Sinai coming out of fire on the mountain — a restatement of the Deut 4:11 tradition.
- Hebrews 12:18-21 (allusion): The NT contrasts the terrifying Sinai (darkness, tempest, voice, fear) with Mount Zion, explicitly alluding to the Sinai phenomena described in Exodus/Deuteronomy (including the burning mountain of Deut 4:11).
Alternative generated candidates
- You drew near and stood at the foot of the mountain; the mountain burned with fire up to the very heart of the heavens—darkness, cloud, and thick gloom.
- you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the heart of the heavens—darkness, cloud, and thick gloom.
Deu.4.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- מתוך: PREP
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- שמעים: VERB,qal,part,?,m,pl
- ותמונה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אינכם: VERB,qal,pres,2,m,pl
- ראים: VERB,qal,part,?,m,pl
- זולתי: PREP
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.5:4-5 (quotation): Restates the same event: Yahweh spoke to Israel out of the fire on the mountain, hearing God’s voice without any visible form—direct repetition of the motif in chapter 4.
- Exod.19:16-19 (structural): Describes the Sinai theophany (thunder, fire, smoke) and God speaking from the mountain—context and setting parallel the audible-but-formless revelation in Deut 4:12.
- Exod.20:18-19 (thematic): The people’s reaction to God’s audible presence (fear, asking Moses to speak for them) echoes the emphasis on hearing God’s voice at Sinai and the mediated nature of the encounter.
- 1 Kgs.19:11-13 (thematic): Elijah’s experience contrasts theophanic manifestations (wind, earthquake, fire) with God’s communicating in a ‘still small voice,’ highlighting different modes of divine self-revelation related to hearing rather than seeing a form.
- John 1:18 (allusion): 'No one has ever seen God' and the Son revealing the Father echoes Deut 4:12’s claim that Israel heard God’s voice but saw no likeness—both stress God’s invisibility despite revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—only a voice.
- And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—you only heard a voice.
Deu.4.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויכתבם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- לחות: NOUN,m,pl,constr
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 34:28 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Moses wrote the words of the covenant (the Ten Commandments) on the tablets of stone.
- Exodus 20:1-17 (quotation): The original proclamation of the Ten Commandments that Deut. 4:13 identifies as the covenantal commands.
- Exodus 31:18 (verbal): Mentions Moses receiving two tablets of testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God—paralleling the detail about the two stone tablets.
- Deuteronomy 5:22 (structural): Restates the same declaration that the words of the covenant (the Ten Commandments) were spoken and written on two tablets of stone.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3-7 (thematic): Paul contrasts letters on tablets of stone (the Mosaic covenant/commandments) with a Spirit-written covenant on hearts, alluding to the tablets and covenant language.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to keep: the ten words; and he wrote them on two tablets of stone.
- And he declared to you his covenant which he commanded you to keep; the ten words he wrote on two tablets of stone.
Deu.4.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתי: PRON,1,m,sg
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ללמד: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- חקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומשפטים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעשתכם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 18:20 (verbal): Jethro instructs Moses to 'teach them the statutes and the laws and show them the way,' using language nearly identical to Deut 4:14's charge to teach statutes and judgments.
- Deuteronomy 6:1 (verbal): Frames the 'statutes and rules' as the LORD's command to Israel to be taught and kept in the land—same terminology and instructional purpose as Deut 4:14.
- Leviticus 18:4 (verbal): Uses the formula 'you shall keep my statutes and my rules,' reflecting the recurrent legal wording and emphasis on observance found in Deut 4:14.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (thematic): Joshua is charged to obey and meditate on the law so that he may prosper in the land—echoes Deut 4:14's link between teaching/keeping God's statutes and life in the land.
- Exodus 24:12 (allusion): God's handing over of 'tables of stone, the law and the commandments, the statutes and the rules' provides the canonical context for Moses' later duty to teach those statutes to Israel (Deut 4:14).
Alternative generated candidates
- And at that time the LORD charged me to teach you statutes and judgments for you to do in the land to which you are crossing over to possess it.
- And the LORD charged me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land where you are going over to possess it.
And now, Israel, hear the statutes and the judgments that I teach you to do, that you may live and go in and possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor shall you take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal Peor: for all the men who followed Baal Peor the LORD your God destroyed them from among you. But you who cling to the LORD your God are all alive today.
See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as the LORD my God commanded me, for you to do in the land that you are entering to possess.
Keep and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the nations who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call to him?
Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?
Only take care and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes saw, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.
The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb—when the LORD said to me, ‘Assemble the people to me, that they may hear my words and learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children’—
you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven; darkness, cloud, and thick gloom. And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire; the sound of words you heard, but a form you did not see—only a voice. And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to keep: the ten words; and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might do them in the land that you are crossing to possess.