King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:10 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:10 in the King James Version says “Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, wit...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,”

Deuteronomy 29:10 · KJV

Context

8

And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.

9

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

10

Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,

11

Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:

12

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: enter: Heb. pass

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel. The gathering of all of you before the LORD creates corporate assembly for covenant renewal. Every segment of society from leaders to common people participates, emphasizing comprehensive national commitment.

The listing of social ranks - captains...elders...officers...all the men - demonstrates inclusiveness across leadership levels and ordinary citizens. Covenant relationship with God spans all social strata; no one is too high or too low for covenant obligation.

Standing this day marks decisive moment for covenant commitment. Like Joshua's later challenge - choose this day whom you will serve - specific moments require clear decisions about allegiance to God.

The corporate nature of this assembly foreshadows the church as new covenant community where all believers, regardless of earthly status, stand equally before God as His covenant people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This assembly occurred on the plains of Moab shortly before Moses' death and Israel's Jordan crossing. The entire nation gathered for final covenant renewal ceremony before entering the Promised Land.

Similar assemblies occurred at Mount Sinai, at Shechem under Joshua, and during various reformation movements under faithful kings.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does corporate assembly teach about communal nature of covenant relationship?
  2. How does inclusiveness across social ranks demonstrate equal standing before God?
  3. Why do specific moments require decisive commitments?
  4. How does this assembly foreshadow the church as new covenant community?
  5. What role do covenant renewal ceremonies have in maintaining communal faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אַתֶּ֨ם1 of 14
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נִצָּבִ֤ים2 of 14

“Ye stand”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

הַיּוֹם֙3 of 14

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם4 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לִפְנֵ֖י5 of 14

“all of you before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה6 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם7 of 14

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

רָֽאשֵׁיכֶ֣ם8 of 14

“your captains”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֗ם9 of 14

“of your tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

זִקְנֵיכֶם֙10 of 14

“your elders”

H2205

old

וְשֹׁ֣טְרֵיכֶ֔ם11 of 14

“and your officers”

H7860

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

כֹּ֖ל12 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִ֥ישׁ13 of 14

“with all the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃14 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 29:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 29:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 10:28Nehemiah 9:38Joel 2:16-17Nehemiah 9:1-22 Chronicles 34:29-32Revelation 20:12

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