Deuteronomy 30:2

Authorized King James Version

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And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Original Language Analysis

וְשַׁבְתָּ֞ And shalt return H7725
וְשַׁבְתָּ֞ And shalt return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 2 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
יְהוָ֤ה unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 17
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
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֣ and shalt obey H8085
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֣ and shalt obey
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 5 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְקֹל֔וֹ his voice H6963
בְקֹל֔וֹ his voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 6 of 17
a voice or sound
כְּכֹ֛ל H3605
כְּכֹ֛ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽנֹכִ֥י H595
אָֽנֹכִ֥י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 9 of 17
i
מְצַוְּךָ֖ according to all that I command H6680
מְצַוְּךָ֖ according to all that I command
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 10 of 17
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
הַיּ֑וֹם thee this day H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם thee this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 17
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
אַתָּ֣ה H859
אַתָּ֣ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 12 of 17
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
וּבָנֶ֔יךָ thou and thy children H1121
וּבָנֶ֔יךָ thou and thy children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 13 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 17
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 #: 15 of 17
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּבְכָל H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ and with all thy soul H5315
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ and with all thy soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. The promise shalt return unto the LORD introduces the crucial concept of repentance - turning back to God after turning away. The Hebrew word 'shuv' means to turn, return, repent - indicating change of direction.

The requirement to obey his voice demonstrates that genuine repentance manifests in renewed obedience. True turning to God always produces behavioral change; repentance without reformation is spurious.

The inclusiveness thou and thy children shows repentance must be corporate, not merely individual. The whole nation must turn back to God, with parents leading children in renewed covenant faithfulness.

The intensity with all thine heart, and with all thy soul demands total commitment. Halfhearted or partial repentance is insufficient - genuine turning to God involves complete devotion of entire person.

Historical Context

Israel's history shows repeated cycles of repentance and renewal - under judges, after exile, during reformations of Hezekiah and Josiah. Each genuine revival involved turning from idolatry to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Jesus later calls for similar total commitment - loving God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

Questions for Reflection

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