About Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy contains Moses' final addresses to Israel, restating the Law and calling the new generation to covenant faithfulness.

Author: MosesWritten: c. 1406 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 20
Covenant RenewalObedienceLove for GodBlessing and CurseRememberChoose

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King James Version

Deuteronomy 30

20 verses with commentary

Restoration After Repentance

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee.</strong> This prophetic passage anticipates Israel's future exile - <em>among all the nations, whither the LORD...hath driven thee</em>. Moses foresees that disobedie...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

XXX. (1) **When all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse.**—The curse is still upon them, and therefore this chapter contemplates the possibility of a restoration still to come. Some would go much further than this. But thus much is undeniable. **And thou shalt call them to mind.**—An awakening among the people themselves must precede their restoration.

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.</strong> The promise <em>shalt return unto the LORD</em> introduces the crucial concept of repentance - turning back to God after turning away. The Hebrew word 'shuv' means to turn, return, repent - indicating ch...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24 De 24:1-22. Of Divorces. **1-4. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes--**It appears that the practice of divorces was at this early period very prevalent amongst the Israelites, who had in all probability become familiar with it in Egypt [Lane]. The usage, being too deep-rooted to be soon or easily abolished, was tolerate...
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That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.</strong> God promises to <em>turn thy captivity</em> when Israel repents. Divine compassion responds to genuine repentance with restoration. This demonstrates God's readiness to forgive and restore when His pe...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity.**—The word “turn” is not active as we should expect (in the Hebrew), but neuter, and upon this fact the Rabbis have grounded the following observation that “in some way the Shechinah is abiding upon Israel during the stress of their captivity, and whensoever they are redeemed, He has prescribed Redemption for Himself, that He will return with them.” ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24 De 24:1-22. Of Divorces. **1-4. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes--**It appears that the practice of divorces was at this early period very prevalent amongst the Israelites, who had in all probability become familiar with it in Egypt [Lane]. The usage, being too deep-rooted to be soon or easily abolished, was tolerate...
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If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee.</strong> The extreme language <em>outmost parts of heaven</em> indicates no distance is too great for God's restorative power. Even if Israel is scattered to earth's farthest reaches, God will gather them back.<br><br>The double emphasis <em>gat...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **If any of thine be driven out.**—In the LXX., “If thy dispersion be.” **Unto the outmost parts of heaven.**—The LXX. version of these words is traceable in Matthew 24:31, “From the one end of heaven to the other.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24 De 24:1-22. Of Divorces. **1-4. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes--**It appears that the practice of divorces was at this early period very prevalent amongst the Israelites, who had in all probability become familiar with it in Egypt [Lane]. The usage, being too deep-rooted to be soon or easily abolished, was tolerate...
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And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.</strong> God promises not merely return but restoration exceeding original blessing - <em>multiply thee above thy fathers</em>. Divine restoration doesn't merely recover what was lost but surpasses previous glory.<br><br>T...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Into the land which thy fathers possessed.**—It is very difficult to interpret these words of any land except Palestine. Comp. Jeremiah 29:13-14, for their fulfilment in the first restoration, from Babylon.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24 De 24:1-22. Of Divorces. **1-4. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes--**It appears that the practice of divorces was at this early period very prevalent amongst the Israelites, who had in all probability become familiar with it in Egypt [Lane]. The usage, being too deep-rooted to be soon or easily abolished, was tolerate...
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And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.</strong> This crucial verse promises internal transformation - <em>circumcise thine heart</em> - pointing beyond external covenant sign to inner spiritual reality. Circumcision of flesh symbolizes cutting away sin's domina...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war--**This law of exemption was founded on good policy and was favorable to matrimony, as it afforded a full opportunity for the affections of the newly married pair being more firmly rooted, and it diminished or removed occasions for the divorces just mentioned.

And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.</strong> God promises to transfer the covenant curses from repentant Israel to their oppressors. Those who <em>hate thee</em> and <em>persecuted thee</em> will experience the judgment Israel endured during exile.<br><br>This demonstrates divine justice - God punishes those ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge--**The "upper" stone being concave, covers the "nether" like a lid; and it has a small aperture, through which the corn is poured, as well as a handle by which it is turned. The propriety of the law was founded on the custom of grinding corn every morning for daily consumption. If either of the stones, therefore, which composed the...
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And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.</strong> Restoration involves not merely geographical return but spiritual renewal - <em>return and obey the voice of the LORD</em>. True restoration requires both external circumstances and internal transformation producing obedience.<br><br>The phrase <em>obey the voice</em> p...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **And thou shalt return and . . . do all his commandments.**—It is as certain as anything can be in this world that the laws of Deuteronomy have never been kept perfectly. The minute observances of the Talmudical system took the heart and spirit out of the law of Moses. Christians do not profess to obey any commandments but those which are called moral. If the Law itself is to be fulfilled, a ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. If a man be found stealing any of his brethren--**(See Ex 21:16).

And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers.</strong> God promises comprehensive prosperity - <em>plenteous in every work</em> - covering all spheres of life. The triad of body (c...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8-9. Take heed in the plague of leprosy--**(See Le 13:14).

If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.</strong> The conditional <em>if thou shalt hearken</em> reestablishes covenant obligations. Despite promises of heart circumcision (verse 6), human responsibility re...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **If thou shalt hearken.**—“If” is the LXX. translation. The Hebrew word signifies “for,” or “when.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8-9. Take heed in the plague of leprosy--**(See Le 13:14).

The Choice of Life or Death

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.</strong> God's law is accessible - <em>not hidden...neither...far off</em>. This demolishes excuses that God's requirements are too obscure or difficult to discover. He has clearly revealed His will.<br><br>The phrase <em>not hidden</em> indicates clarity of revelation. God hasn't conceal...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

Deuteronomy 30:11-14. **THE LAW OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH is OF FAITH.** (11) **For this commandment.**—Heb., *Mitzvah. *This duty, this form of obedience to the law. **Is not hidden from thee**—*i.e., *not too hard. Literally, *too wonderful for thee. *(Comp. Deuteronomy 17:8; Psalm 139:6.) (12) **It is not in heaven.**—St. Paul cites the words thus: “The righteousness which is of faith speaketh...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-13. When thou dost lend thy brother anything, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge--**The course recommended was, in kind and considerate regard, to spare the borrower's feelings. In the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored before night, as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they go to sl...
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It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?</strong> The rhetorical question eliminates the excuse that God's law is too transcendent or distant to access. Israel need not send someone to <em>heaven</em> to retrieve divine revelation - God has already brought it down through Moses.<br><br>This address...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-13. When thou dost lend thy brother anything, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge--**The course recommended was, in kind and considerate regard, to spare the borrower's feelings. In the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored before night, as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they go to sl...
Read full commentary →

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?</strong> The second rhetorical question eliminates the geographic distance excuse. God's law is not <em>beyond the sea</em> requiring impossible ocean voyages to retrieve. It is present among the covenant community.<br><br>Ancient peoples viewed sea...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-13. When thou dost lend thy brother anything, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge--**The course recommended was, in kind and considerate regard, to spare the borrower's feelings. In the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored before night, as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they go to sl...
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But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.</strong> God's word is <em>very nigh</em> - not merely accessible but intimately near. The locations <em>in thy mouth, and in thy heart</em> indicate that Israel already possesses knowledge of God's requirements through teaching, memorization, and internal conviction.<br><br>The phrase <em>in thy m...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-13. When thou dost lend thy brother anything, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge--**The course recommended was, in kind and considerate regard, to spare the borrower's feelings. In the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored before night, as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they go to sl...
Read full commentary →

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.</strong> Moses presents the choice starkly - <em>life and good</em> versus <em>death and evil</em>. These paired opposites represent the two paths available: covenant obedience leading to blessing, or disobedience leading to curse.<br><br>The word <em>see</em> (Hebrew 're'eh') demands attention. This is not subtle sugg...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-15. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy--**Hired servants in the East are paid at the close of the day; and for a master to defraud the laborer of his hire, or to withhold it wrongfully for a night, might have subjected a poor man with his family to suffering and was therefore an injustice to be avoided (Le 19:13).

In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.</strong> This verse explains the life-path - <em>love the LORD...walk in his ways...keep his commandments</em>. These elements c...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-15. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy--**Hired servants in the East are paid at the close of the day; and for a master to defraud the laborer of his hire, or to withhold it wrongfully for a night, might have subjected a poor man with his family to suffering and was therefore an injustice to be avoided (Le 19:13).

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But if thine heart turn away</strong> (כִּי־יִפְנֶה לְבָבְךָ <em>ki-yifneh levavkha</em>)—<em>panah</em> means to turn or turn aside, while <em>levav</em> (heart) represents the inner will and affections. Apostasy begins internally before manifesting in external idolatry. <strong>So that thou wilt not hear</strong>—the Hebrew <em>shema</em> means not just auditory perception but covenantal...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children--**The rule was addressed for the guidance of magistrates, and it established the equitable principle that none should be responsible for the crimes of others.

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I denounce unto you this day</strong>—the Hebrew <em>higgadti</em> (from <em>nagad</em>, to declare, announce solemnly) carries legal force, like a prosecutor's indictment or a prophet's oracle. Moses functions as covenant witness, formally declaring consequences before they occur. <strong>That ye shall surely perish</strong> uses the intensive Hebrew construction <em>avod to'vedun</em> ("...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children--**The rule was addressed for the guidance of magistrates, and it established the equitable principle that none should be responsible for the crimes of others.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:</strong><br><br>This climactic verse presents Israel with the fundamental choice that determines their destiny. Moses calls <em>heaven and earth</em> as witnesses (<em>edim</em>, עֵדִים), invoking the cosmos it...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children--**The rule was addressed for the guidance of magistrates, and it established the equitable principle that none should be responsible for the crimes of others.

That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

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KJV Study Commentary

Moses commands: 'That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.' Three imperatives—love, obey, cleave—define covenant relationship. The Hebrew dabaq (cleave) describes m...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **He is thy life, and the length of thy days.**—This is the Old Testament form of a well-known saying in the New Testament, which may yet be fulfilled in Israel, “*I am *the *resurrection *and *the life. *He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me *shall never die*” (John 11:25-26). **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Tex...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19-22. When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field--**The grain, pulled up by the roots or cut down with a sickle, was laid in loose sheaves; the fruit of the olive was obtained by striking the branches with long poles; and the grape clusters, severed by a hook, were gathered in the hands of the vintager. Here is a beneficent provision for the poor. Every forgotten sheaf in the harvest-fie...
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