The LORD Alone Is God
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Deu.4.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- לימים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ראשנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- למן: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ברא: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולמקצה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- קצה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנהיה: VERB,qal,perf,3,fs
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- או: CONJ
- הנשמע: PTCP,niphal,ms,sg,def
- כמהו: PRT+PRON,3,ms
Parallels
- Deut.32:7 (verbal): Within Deuteronomy the same exhortation to 'ask' or 'remember the days of old' and consult elders — close verbal and thematic echo of consulting former generations about God's acts.
- Job 8:8-10 (verbal): A direct appeal to 'inquire of former generations' and consider what the fathers have searched out — similar wording and the practice of asking about ancient times.
- Isaiah 40:21-26 (thematic): Series of rhetorical questions about creation and God's uniqueness ('Do you not know? Have you not heard?') that parallels Deut.4:32's challenge to compare God's deeds with all that has happened.
- Psalm 77:11-15 (thematic): The psalmist resolves to 'remember the deeds of the Lord' and recounts God's wonders of old — a parallel emphasis on recalling and testifying to extraordinary divine acts.
- Exodus 15:11 (thematic): Rhetorical astonishment at God's unmatched deeds ('Who is like you, O LORD?') parallels Deut.4:32's question whether anything so great has ever been done or heard.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ask now concerning the former days, that were before you—from the day that God created man on the earth, and from the end of heaven to its farthest end—has anything so great ever happened, or has anything like it been heard?
- For ask now about the former days, that were before you—from the day God created humankind on the earth, and from one end of the heavens to the other: has there ever been a thing like this, or has its like been heard?
Deu.4.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- השמע: VERB,qal,ptcp,ms,sg
- עם: PREP
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- מתוך: PREP
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ויחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 19:16-19 (verbal): Describes the Sinai theophany (thunder, fire, smoke, trumpet) and God’s presence on the mountain—same scene of God speaking out of the fire referred to in Deut 4:33.
- Exodus 20:18-19 (thematic): Reports the people hearing the voice and fearing direct speech from God, prompting them to ask Moses to mediate—parallels Deut 4:33’s emphasis on hearing God’s voice from the fire.
- Deuteronomy 5:4-5 (quotation): A near-verbatim recapitulation within Deuteronomy of God speaking 'out of the midst of the fire' to the people, essentially the same claim as 4:33.
- Deuteronomy 4:11 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter describing the mountain ‘burning with fire’ at Sinai; provides the narrative setting for the statement in 4:33.
- Hebrews 12:18-21 (allusion): New Testament recollection of the Sinai experience (blazing fire, darkness, trumpet, terror) used to contrast Mount Zion with Sinai—echoes the image of God speaking from fire cited in Deut 4:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and lived?
- Has any people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and lived?
Deu.4.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- או: CONJ
- הנסה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במסת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- באתת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובמופתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובמלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וביד: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חזקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובזרוע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובמוראים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גדלים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעיניך: PREP
Parallels
- Exodus 3:20 (verbal): God says he will 'stretch out my hand' and strike Egypt with 'all my wonders'—language of outstretched arm and wonders parallels Deut 4:34's 'signs and wonders' and 'outstretched arm.'
- Exodus 7:3-5 (verbal): Speaks of multiplying 'my signs and wonders' in Egypt and using a mighty hand against the nations, echoing Deut 4:34's emphasis on miracles, war, and God's powerful hand.
- Deuteronomy 26:8 (verbal): Framing the exodus as God bringing Israel out 'with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm'—a near-echo of the same phrases found in Deut 4:34.
- Psalm 78:12-13 (thematic): Retells the wonders God did in Egypt ('he wrought his signs in Egypt... he divided the sea'), thematically paralleling Deut 4:34's catalog of signs, wonders, and mighty acts on Israel's behalf.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or has God ever attempted to take for himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials and signs and wonders, by war and a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
- Or has God ever sought to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation—by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—just as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
Deu.4.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אין: PART,neg
- עוד: ADV
- מלבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.6.4 (thematic): The Shema affirms the unique oneness of YHWH for Israel—parallel emphasis that YHWH alone is God and there is no other.
- Deut.32.39 (verbal): A near-verbal echo: God declares, 'I am he; there is no god besides me,' underscoring divine exclusivity like Deut 4:35.
- Isaiah 45:5 (verbal): God speaks directly: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God,' closely matching the assertion of sole divinity.
- Isaiah 43:11 (thematic): Proclaims YHWH as Israel’s only savior—'besides me there is no savior'—reinforcing the claim that no other deity exists or can deliver.
- Mark 12:29 (quotation): Jesus cites the Shema ('The Lord our God, the Lord is one'), echoing Israel's confession of God's uniqueness found in Deut 4:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- You were shown this so that you might know that the LORD alone is God; there is no other besides him.
- You were shown so that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
Deu.4.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מן: PREP
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- השמיעך: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ליסרך: VERB,hiph,inf,NA,NA,NA
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הראך: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשו: NOUN,f,sg,poss3ms
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ודבריו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,poss3ms
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מתוך: PREP
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 19:18-19 (quotation): Narrative of Sinai: the mountain wrapped in smoke because the LORD descended in fire and God’s voice/thunder was heard — closely parallels Deut.4.36’s fire and hearing God’s words.
- Exodus 20:18-19 (verbal): The people’s reaction to the thunder, lightning and the voice of God at Sinai; echoes Deut.4.36’s emphasis that the assembly heard God’s voice out of the fire.
- Deuteronomy 5:4-6 (quotation): Immediate Deuteronomic retelling of the Sinai revelation: God spoke to Israel out of the midst of the fire — a near-verbatim parallel within Deuteronomy itself.
- Hebrews 12:18-21 (allusion): NT contrast between Sinai (mountain that burned with fire and terrified hearers) and Zion; explicitly evokes the fearful voice/fire imagery associated with God’s speaking at Sinai.
- Psalm 18:7-15 (thematic): Poetic depiction of God’s answering voice with smoke, fire, earthquake and thunder — mirrors the imagery of God’s voice and great fire coming from heaven in Deut.4.36.
Alternative generated candidates
- From heaven he caused his voice to be heard to discipline you, and on the earth he showed you his great fire; and you heard his words from out of the fire.
- From the heavens he caused his voice to be heard to discipline you; on the earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.
Deu.4.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותחת: CONJ+PREP
- כי: CONJ
- אהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- ויבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בזרעו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויוצאך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj=2ms
- בפניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
- בכחו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- הגדל: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deut.10.15 (verbal): Near-identical language: Yahweh 'set his affection on your fathers' and 'loved their offspring after them,' emphasizing divine choice of Israel's descendants.
- Deut.7.8 (verbal): Explains Israel's election in terms of God's love for the fathers and recalls deliverance from Egypt 'with a mighty hand,' paralleling motive and action.
- Exod.6.5-6 (thematic): God hears Israel's groaning, remembers his covenant and promises to bring them out of Egypt—same covenantal love and powerful deliverance motif.
- Neh.9.7-8 (thematic): Confession recounts God choosing Abraham's line and bringing their descendants out of Egypt, linking election, covenant love, and deliverance.
- Ps.105:42-45 (thematic): Retells God's saving act in bringing his chosen people out of Egypt joyfully and keeping his covenant—echo of love-driven election and mighty rescue.
Alternative generated candidates
- And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them, he brought you out by his presence and by his great strength from Egypt;
- For he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them, and he brought you out by his presence and by his great power from Egypt,
Deu.4.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- להוריש: VERB,hiph,inf
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גדלים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ועצמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- מפניך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2m
- להביאך: VERB,hiph,inf+PRON,2,m,sg
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארצם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- נחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כיום: ADV
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (verbal): Uses the same language and theme: God will deliver into Israel’s hands nations 'greater and mightier' to dispossess them and give their land as an inheritance.
- Deuteronomy 9:1–3 (verbal): Echoes the warning that Israel is about to cross the Jordan to dispossess nations 'greater and mightier' and that God goes before them to give the land.
- Numbers 33:50–53 (thematic): God’s command to enter Canaan and drive out its inhabitants so that Israel may take possession of the land mirrors Deut.4:38’s purpose of dispossessing peoples and giving their land as an inheritance.
- Joshua 23:9–10 (thematic): Joshua recounts how the Lord drove out 'great and mighty' nations before Israel, a narrative fulfilment of the promise to dispossess and give the land to Israel.
- Exodus 23:28–31 (thematic): God promises to send terror and drive out the inhabitants before Israel and to establish their borders—paralleling the divine action of dispossessing nations to give Israel the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- to dispossess great and mighty nations before you, to bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day.
- to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.
Deu.4.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והשבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממעל: ADV
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מתחת: PREP
- אין: PART,neg
- עוד: ADV
Parallels
- Deut.6:4 (thematic): The Shema declares the exclusive identity and unity of YHWH as Israel’s God—echoing Deut 4:39’s call to know that the LORD is God and none other.
- Isaiah 45:5 (verbal): God’s statement “I am the LORD, and there is none else” closely echoes the language of Deut 4:39, reiterating divine uniqueness and sovereignty in prophetic literature.
- Deut.32:39 (verbal): Moses’ song affirms “I… am he, and there is no god besides me,” a near-verbal parallel emphasizing that YHWH alone is God and controls life and death.
- 1 Kings 8:60 (thematic): Solomon prays that all peoples may know the LORD is God and that there is no other—repeating Deut 4:39’s theme of YHWH’s exclusive deity over heaven and earth.
- Psalm 96:5 (thematic): The psalm contrasts the LORD, creator of the heavens, with false gods; it echoes Deut 4:39’s affirmation that YHWH is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, and there is none besides him.
Alternative generated candidates
- Know today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
- Know this day, and take it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
Deu.4.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חקיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- 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
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ייטב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ולבניך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,con,poss:2,m,sg
- אחריך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- ולמען: CONJ+PREP
- תאריך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Deut.6:2 (verbal): Links fearing the LORD with keeping all his commandments so that you and your children may prolong your days in the land — language and purpose very close to Deut 4:40.
- Deut.11:8-9 (thematic): Commands obedience and walking in God's ways so that you and your offspring may live long and prosper in the land the LORD gives — repeats the promise of well-being and length of days.
- Joshua 1:8 (thematic): Urges constant attention to the book of the law and obedience so that you will be prosperous and have success — parallels the promise that obedience will make things go well for you.
- Leviticus 18:5 (verbal): States that keeping God's statutes leads to life ('that you may live by them') — connects obedience to the beneficial outcome (life/well‑being).
- Psalm 119:1-2 (thematic): Pronounces blessing on those who walk in the law and seek God with a whole heart — echoes the motif that faithful observance brings blessing and well‑being.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and your children after you, and that you may long live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you all the days.
- Therefore keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and your children after you, and that you may long endure on the land that the LORD your God is giving you all the days.
For ask now of the former days, which were before you—from the day that God created man on the earth, and from one end of heaven to the other—has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it been heard?
Has any people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and lived?
Or has God ever tried to go and take for himself a nation from the midst of another nation by trials, signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and by great terrors—just as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
It was shown to you so that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
From heaven he let his voice be heard to discipline you; on the earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them, he brought you out in his presence and by his great power from Egypt.
To dispossess nations greater and mightier than you from before you, to bring you in and give you their land as a possession, as it is this day.
Know this day, and take it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
Therefore keep his statutes and his commandments which I command you this day, that it may be well with you and with your children after you, and that you may long endure on the land that the LORD your God is giving you all the days.