Deuteronomy 4:10

Authorized King James Version

Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the 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
#2
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
עָמַ֜דְתָּ
that thou stoodest
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#4
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮
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
#7
בְּחֹרֵב֒
in Horeb
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
#8
בֶּֽאֱמֹ֨ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
אֵלַ֗י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הַקְהֶל
together
to convoke
#12
לִי֙
H0
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הָעָ֔ם
me the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#15
וְאַשְׁמִעֵ֖ם
and I will make them hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
דְּבָרָ֑י
my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#18
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
יְלַמֵּדֽוּן׃
and that they may teach
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
#20
לְיִרְאָ֣ה
to fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#21
אֹתִ֗י
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the 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
#24
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#25
הֵ֤ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#26
חַיִּים֙
that they shall live
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#27
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#28
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה
upon the earth
soil (from its general redness)
#29
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#30
בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם
their 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
#31
יְלַמֵּדֽוּן׃
and that they may teach
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

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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