Deuteronomy 26:17
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַיּ֑וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 15
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
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
H1961
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לֵֽאלֹהִ֜ים
to be thy God
H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֜ים
to be thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 15
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
וְלָלֶ֣כֶת
H1980
וְלָלֶ֣כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בִּדְרָכָ֗יו
in his ways
H1870
בִּדְרָכָ֗יו
in his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
9 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר
and to keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר
and to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
חֻקָּ֧יו
his statutes
H2706
חֻקָּ֧יו
his statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
11 of 15
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וּמִצְוֹתָ֛יו
and his commandments
H4687
וּמִצְוֹתָ֛יו
and his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 15
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֖יו
and his judgments
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֖יו
and his judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Isaiah 12:2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.Exodus 24:7And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.Isaiah 44:5One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.Acts 27:23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,Exodus 20:19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.2 Corinthians 8:5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.Deuteronomy 13:18When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.Deuteronomy 15:5Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.Deuteronomy 30:16In 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.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC as covenant renewal ceremony before entering Canaan. Ancient Near Eastern treaties between suzerains (overlords) and vassals (subjects) followed similar bilateral declaration patterns: the vassal pledged loyalty, the suzerain pledged protection. Israel's covenant with Yahweh adapted this political form to express theological relationship—God as divine King, Israel as His covenant people. Unlike pagan treaties based on power politics, Israel's covenant originated in God's prior grace (redemption from Egypt), creating obligation rooted in love, not fear.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'avouch' or solemnly declare God as your God? How is this deeper than belief?
- How does covenant structure (relationship creating obligation) differ from contract thinking (performance earning reward)?
- What would publicly 'avouching' God as your God look like for Christians today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God—the rare Hebrew verb he'emarta (הֶאֱמַרְתָּ) means to declare, affirm solemnly, or pledge. This verse and the next (26:17-18) form a bilateral covenant declaration: Israel affirms Yahweh as their God; Yahweh affirms Israel as His people. And to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice—Israel's pledge included obedience to the comprehensive covenant stipulations.
This mutual avowal represents the covenant's core structure—relationship creates obligation. Israel didn't merely acknowledge God's existence but committed to exclusive loyalty and obedience. The phrase 'walk in his ways' (Hebrew lalechet bidrachav, לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו) indicates lifestyle conformity to God's character and commands, not occasional religious observance. Covenant relationship demands total allegiance, which Jesus later intensified: 'No one can serve two masters' (Matthew 6:24).