Deuteronomy 12:1
These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
Original Language Analysis
הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים
These are the statutes
H2706
הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים
These are the statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
2 of 21
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮
and judgments
H4941
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮
and judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן
which ye shall observe
H8104
תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן
which ye shall observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֒
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֒
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֨ן
giveth
H5414
נָתַ֨ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 21
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
אֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ
of thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ
of thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ
thee to possess
H3423
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ
thee to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
14 of 21
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֔ים
it all the days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֔ים
it all the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 21
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חַיִּ֖ים
that ye live
H2416
חַיִּ֖ים
that ye live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
19 of 21
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi's Code, Hittite Laws) were typically organized as case law (casuistic: 'if...then'). Deuteronomy's structure combines case law with direct commands (apodictic: 'you shall/shall not'), reflecting covenant treaty format. The laws addressed Israel's transition from nomadic to settled agricultural life. Moses, about to die, leaves this legal legacy to govern Israel's national life under Joshua and beyond.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's laws for His people flow from His gracious covenant relationship rather than arbitrary demands?
- What does 'all the days that ye live upon the earth' teach about the comprehensive nature of Christian obedience?
- How do we discern which Old Testament civil and ceremonial laws continue to apply to New Testament believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
This verse introduces the legal corpus (chapters 12-26) known as the Deuteronomic Code. The phrase 'statutes and judgments' (chuqqim u-mishpatim, חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים) encompasses the full range of covenant stipulations—both ceremonial and civil law. The temporal scope 'all the days that ye live upon the earth' emphasizes permanent obligation. These aren't temporary regulations but enduring covenant requirements for life in the promised land. The foundation: 'the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee'—the laws are inseparable from the land gift, both flowing from covenant relationship.