Deuteronomy 30:10
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִשְׁמַ֗ע
If thou shalt hearken
H8085
תִשְׁמַ֗ע
If thou shalt hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 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
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר
to keep
H8104
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר
to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָיו֙
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָיו֙
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
7 of 21
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה
which are written
H3789
הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה
which are written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
9 of 21
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּסֵ֥פֶר
in this book
H5612
בְּסֵ֥פֶר
in this book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַתּוֹרָ֖ה
of the law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֖ה
of the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
11 of 21
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָשׁוּב֙
and if thou turn
H7725
תָשׁוּב֙
and if thou turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
14 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 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
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָֽבְךָ֖
with all thine heart
H3824
לְבָֽבְךָ֖
with all thine heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
19 of 21
the heart (as the most interior organ)
Historical Context
Deuteronomy as 'book of the law' was lost during years of apostasy and rediscovered during Josiah's reform (2 Kings 22). Its reading sparked national repentance and renewal, demonstrating Scripture's power to convict and transform.
Written Scripture preserved God's word through centuries, enabling each generation to know covenant requirements despite gaps in faithful teaching.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human responsibility relate to divine enabling?
- What is the importance of written Scripture as objective standard?
- Why does total commitment require both heart and soul?
- What does tension between divine transformation and human obedience teach about covenant theology?
- How does Scripture's preservation enable ongoing covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. The conditional if thou shalt hearken reestablishes covenant obligations. Despite promises of heart circumcision (verse 6), human responsibility remains - Israel must respond to divine enabling with faithful obedience.
The reference to this book of the law grounds obedience in written revelation. God's requirements are not vague or arbitrary but clearly recorded for all to know. Written Scripture provides objective standard for covenant faithfulness.
The requirement to turn unto the LORD...with all thine heart, and with all thy soul demands total commitment. Halfhearted or partial devotion is insufficient - covenant relationship requires complete loyalty and love.
This tension between divine transformation (verse 6) and human responsibility (verse 10) illustrates the cooperation between grace and obedience characteristic of covenant theology.