Deuteronomy 30:2

Authorized King James Version

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;

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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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