Deuteronomy 29:13

Authorized King James Version

PDF

That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Original Language Analysis

לְמַ֣עַן H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הָקִֽים That he may establish H6965
הָקִֽים That he may establish
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 2 of 19
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֹתְךָ֩ H853
אֹתְךָ֩
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַיּ֨וֹם׀ thee to day H3117
הַיּ֨וֹם׀ thee to day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 4 of 19
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
ל֜וֹ H0
ל֜וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 19
לְעָ֗ם for a people H5971
לְעָ֗ם for a people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 6 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְה֤וּא H1931
וְה֤וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 19
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
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְּךָ֙ H0
לְּךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 19
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 19
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
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּר as he hath said H1696
דִּבֶּר as he hath said
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 12 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לָ֑ךְ H0
לָ֑ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 13 of 19
וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּע֙ unto thee and as he hath sworn H7650
נִשְׁבַּע֙ unto thee and as he hath sworn
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 15 of 19
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ unto thy fathers H1
לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ unto thy fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 16 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם to Abraham H85
לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם to Abraham
Strong's: H85
Word #: 17 of 19
abraham, the later name of abram
לְיִצְחָ֖ק to Isaac H3327
לְיִצְחָ֖ק to Isaac
Strong's: H3327
Word #: 18 of 19
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃ and to Jacob H3290
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃ and to Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 19 of 19
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

Analysis & Commentary

That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. God's purpose in covenant making is to establish thee...for a people unto himself. The covenant creates special relationship where Israel belongs uniquely to God as His treasured possession.

The reciprocal formula he may be unto thee a God establishes God's commitment. He will be their God - providing, protecting, guiding, and blessing them. This mutual belonging defines covenant relationship: I will be your God, you will be my people.

The phrase as he hath said...and sworn connects Mosaic covenant to patriarchal promises. God's commitment to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob obligates Him to their descendants. Divine faithfulness spans generations.

This covenant formula recurs throughout Scripture, finding ultimate fulfillment in New Covenant - I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33; Revelation 21:3).

Historical Context

God's covenant with the patriarchs was promissory and unconditional - based solely on divine commitment. The Mosaic covenant added conditional elements but remained rooted in the unconditional Abrahamic promises.

The tension between unconditional promise and conditional blessing creates the framework for understanding Israel's later exile and restoration.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources