Deuteronomy 30:13
Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֵ֤בֶר
Neither is it beyond
H5676
עֵ֤בֶר
Neither is it beyond
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
הַיָּם֙
the sea
H3220
הַיָּם֙
the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
3 of 16
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
הִ֑וא
H1931
הִ֑וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 16
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
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַֽעֲבָר
Who shall go
H5674
יַֽעֲבָר
Who shall go
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
7 of 16
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עֵ֤בֶר
Neither is it beyond
H5676
עֵ֤בֶר
Neither is it beyond
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
הַיָּם֙
the sea
H3220
הַיָּם֙
the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
11 of 16
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ
for us and bring
H3947
וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ
for us and bring
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
12 of 16
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ
it unto us that we may hear
H8085
וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ
it unto us that we may hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Historical Context
In ancient times, crossing seas required dangerous journeys with high mortality rates. Distant lands across oceans were largely unknown and inaccessible to common people.
God's placement of His word within Israel's reach demonstrated His gracious condescension, making salvation and covenant requirements accessible to all, not just heroic adventurers.
Questions for Reflection
- What excuse does geographic inaccessibility eliminate?
- How do vertical (heaven) and horizontal (sea) barriers combine to picture total accessibility?
- What does God's local provision of His word teach about His character?
- How does Paul extend this principle to gospel accessibility?
- Why is it crucial that salvation and God's requirements be accessible to common people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? The second rhetorical question eliminates the geographic distance excuse. God's law is not beyond the sea requiring impossible ocean voyages to retrieve. It is present among the covenant community.
Ancient peoples viewed seas as mysterious, dangerous barriers. This imagery suggests that God's requirements are not hidden in inaccessible places requiring extraordinary exploration. He has made His will locally available.
Together with verse 12, this establishes that God's law is neither too high (in heaven) nor too far (beyond the sea). Vertical and horizontal accessibility are both assured - no direction requires impossible journeys to find God's will.
Paul's application extends this to the gospel - the word of faith is near, not requiring someone to bring Christ up from the dead (Romans 10:7-8). Accessibility of revelation becomes accessibility of salvation.