Deuteronomy 29:4

Authorized King James Version

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Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָתַן֩ hath not given H5414
נָתַן֩ hath not given
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 2 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֨ה Yet the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֨ה Yet the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָכֶ֥ם H0
לָכֶ֥ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 13
לֵב֙ you an heart H3820
לֵב֙ you an heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 5 of 13
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לָדַ֔עַת to perceive H3045
לָדַ֔עַת to perceive
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 6 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְעֵינַ֥יִם and eyes H5869
וְעֵינַ֥יִם and eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 7 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לִרְא֖וֹת to see H7200
לִרְא֖וֹת to see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 8 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְאָזְנַ֣יִם and ears H241
וְאָזְנַ֣יִם and ears
Strong's: H241
Word #: 9 of 13
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ to hear H8085
לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ to hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 10 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עַ֖ד H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 11 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֥וֹם unto this day H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם unto this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
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
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 13 of 13
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. Despite witnessing unprecedented miracles, Israel lacked spiritual understanding - they saw physically but not spiritually. This reveals that external evidence alone cannot produce genuine faith; internal illumination is required.

The threefold description - heart to perceive, eyes to see, ears to hear - emphasizes comprehensive spiritual blindness. Heart represents understanding, eyes represent insight, ears represent receptivity. Israel possessed all physically but lacked them spiritually.

The statement the LORD hath not given indicates that spiritual perception is divine gift, not human achievement. People cannot generate spiritual understanding through intellect or observation alone; God must grant illumination.

This anticipates New Covenant promise - I will give them a heart to know me (Jeremiah 24:7). Only divine action can cure human spiritual blindness and deafness.

Historical Context

Despite seeing plagues, Red Sea crossing, manna, and God's glory on Sinai, Israel repeatedly doubted and rebelled. External miracles without internal transformation do not produce lasting faithfulness.

This explains why the exodus generation died in the wilderness - they saw but did not truly perceive, heard but did not truly understand.

Questions for Reflection

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