King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:39 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:39 in the King James Version says “Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth ben...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”

Deuteronomy 4:39 · KJV

Context

37

And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;

38

To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

39

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

40

Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

41

Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising ;

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Moses moves from historical recitation to present application with veyada'ta hayom (וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם, 'know today'). The command is immediate—not eventual understanding but present appropriation. The verb vahashevota (וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ, 'consider/return to heart') requires more than intellectual acknowledgment; truth must descend from head to heart, becoming the settled conviction that shapes all of life.

The scope of Yahweh's sovereignty is total: bashamayim mima'al ve'al ha'arets mitachat (בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְעַל הָאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת, 'in heaven above and on earth beneath'). No realm escapes His rule. Canaanite religion divided the cosmos among competing deities—Baal ruled weather, Mot ruled death, El presided over the pantheon. Moses demolishes this fragmentation: Yahweh alone governs all reality.

The concluding ein od (אֵין עוֹד, 'there is none else') echoes verse 35 and anticipates Isaiah's declarations (Isaiah 45:5-6, 18, 22). This is not merely theoretical monotheism but practical exclusivism—Yahweh alone deserves worship, trust, and obedience because He alone possesses divine power and authority. Knowing this transforms how we pray (to the only God who can act), how we trust (in the only God who controls outcomes), and how we worship (giving ultimate allegiance to no competitor).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses calls Israel to internalize monotheism—that Yahweh alone is God 'in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath.' This total claim over all reality contrasted with Canaanite religion that divided authority among many gods. As Israel prepared to enter Canaan around 1406 BC, this exclusive devotion to Yahweh was essential.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'consider in your heart' rather than merely know intellectually that the LORD is God?
  2. How should the truth that God rules 'in heaven above and on earth beneath' shape your prayers and decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֣1 of 16

“Know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַיּ֗וֹם2 of 16

“therefore 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

וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָ֮3 of 16

“and consider”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְבָבֶךָ֒5 of 16

“it in thine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

כִּ֤י6 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְהוָה֙7 of 16

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

ה֣וּא8 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים9 of 16

“he is 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

בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם10 of 16

“in heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מִמַּ֔עַל11 of 16

“above”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְעַל12 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֖רֶץ13 of 16

“and upon the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִתָּ֑חַת14 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֵ֖ין15 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עֽוֹד׃16 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

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 4:39 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 4:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 2:11Deuteronomy 4:351 Chronicles 29:11Hosea 7:21 Chronicles 28:9Psalms 135:6

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 4 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes