Deuteronomy 12:32

Authorized King James Version

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What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Original Language Analysis

אֵ֣ת H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָ֗ר What thing H1697
הַדָּבָ֗ר What thing
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 3 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽנֹכִי֙ H595
אָֽנֹכִי֙
Strong's: H595
Word #: 5 of 16
i
מְצַוֶּ֣ה soever I command H6680
מְצַוֶּ֣ה soever I command
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 6 of 16
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֶתְכֶ֔ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֹת֥וֹ H853
אֹת֥וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תִשְׁמְר֖וּ you observe H8104
תִשְׁמְר֖וּ you observe
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת to do H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת to do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 10 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹסֵ֣ף it thou shalt not add H3254
תֹסֵ֣ף it thou shalt not add
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 12 of 16
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
עָלָ֔יו H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִגְרַ֖ע thereto nor diminish H1639
תִגְרַ֖ע thereto nor diminish
Strong's: H1639
Word #: 15 of 16
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ H4480
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 16 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Analysis & Commentary

The concluding command: 'What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.' This establishes sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) principle. The Hebrew shamar (שָׁמַר, guard/observe) demands protection of God's revealed word. Two temptations are prohibited: adding to (yasaph, יָסַף) and subtracting from (gara, גָרַע) Scripture. Human tradition must not supplement divine revelation; liberal reductionism must not edit uncomfortable commands. God's word is complete, sufficient, and authoritative. This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 4:2 and echoed in Revelation 22:18-19, framing all Scripture with this warning.

Historical Context

Later Judaism's oral law tradition arguably violated the 'add not' command—rabbinic fences around Torah added requirements God didn't mandate. Jesus criticized traditions that 'made void' God's commandments (Matthew 15:3-6; Mark 7:8-13). Conversely, liberal theology's editing Scripture to remove 'offensive' parts violates 'diminish not.' The Reformation's sola Scriptura recovered this principle, rejecting both traditionalism and rationalism in favor of Scripture's final authority. Every generation faces pressure to add human wisdom or subtract difficult teachings.

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