Deuteronomy 4:1
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֣ה
H6258
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שְׁמַ֤ע
Now therefore hearken
H8085
שְׁמַ֤ע
Now therefore hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַֽחֻקִּים֙
unto the statutes
H2706
הַֽחֻקִּים֙
unto the statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
5 of 24
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים
and unto the judgments
H4941
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים
and unto the judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְלַמֵּ֥ד
which I teach
H3925
מְלַמֵּ֥ד
which I teach
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת
you for to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת
you for to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּֽחְי֗וּ
them that ye may live
H2421
תִּֽחְי֗וּ
them that ye may live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
14 of 24
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וּבָאתֶם֙
and go in
H935
וּבָאתֶם֙
and go in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
and possess
H3423
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם
and possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
16 of 24
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
21 of 24
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
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
22 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Romans 10:5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.Deuteronomy 8:1All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.Ezekiel 20:11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.Leviticus 18:5Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.Deuteronomy 30:16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.Deuteronomy 5:1And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.Leviticus 22:31Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.Leviticus 19:37Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.Psalms 119:4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.Psalms 105:45That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
Historical Context
This introduces Moses' second discourse in Deuteronomy (chapters 4-11), reviewing the law before entering Canaan. The new generation, born in the wilderness, needed thorough instruction in God's covenant requirements. Moses grounds their future success in understanding and obeying the statutes given at Sinai.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing obedience as pathway to life rather than burdensome duty change your attitude toward God's commands?
- What statutes is God calling you to renewed attention and obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses' exhortation 'Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments' calls for attentive obedience to God's law. The dual purpose—'that ye may live, and go in and possess the land'—links obedience with life and blessing. Obedience isn't legalism but the pathway to experiencing God's good purposes. The phrase 'which I teach you' establishes Moses as authoritative mediator of divine revelation, a role ultimately fulfilled in Christ.