Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Original Language Analysis
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם
But if from thence thou shalt seek
H1245
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם
But if from thence thou shalt seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
1 of 12
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
מִשָּׁ֛ם
H8033
מִשָּׁ֛ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
2 of 12
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 12
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
וּמָצָ֑אתָ
thou shalt find
H4672
וּמָצָ֑אתָ
thou shalt find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ
him if thou seek
H1875
תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ
him if thou seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָֽבְךָ֖
him with all thy heart
H3824
לְבָֽבְךָ֖
him with all thy heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
10 of 12
the heart (as the most interior organ)
Cross References
Psalms 119:2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.2 Chronicles 15:4But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.Psalms 119:10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.Deuteronomy 30:10If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.Psalms 119:58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.Psalms 119:145I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.Joel 2:12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:Jeremiah 3:10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.2 Kings 23:3And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.2 Chronicles 15:15And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.
Historical Context
Despite predicting exile and judgment, Moses offers hope of restoration through wholehearted repentance. This promise was partially fulfilled when the remnant returned from Babylonian exile under Ezra and Nehemiah (538 BC onward), and continues to have theological significance for God's faithfulness to covenant promises.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to seek God 'with all your heart and soul' rather than with partial or divided commitment?
- How does the promise that sincere seekers will find God encourage you in seasons of spiritual distance or dryness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
After the storm of judgment comes the rainbow of hope. The conditional uvikkashtem (וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם, 'if you seek') introduces the possibility of restoration even from exile. The remarkable promise umatsa'ta (וּמָצָאתָ, 'thou shalt find') assures that seeking God is never futile—the God who scatters can be found by those scattered among the nations.
However, conditions apply: seeking must be bekhol levavkha uvekhol nafshekha (בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶׁךָ, 'with all thy heart and with all thy soul'). This echoes the Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:5) and reverses the half-hearted worship that led to exile. Superficial religious observance will not suffice; God requires total, undivided devotion. The same wholehearted commitment expected in obedience is required in repentance.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 quotes this promise to the Babylonian exiles, demonstrating its ongoing relevance. The New Testament universalizes it: 'Seek, and ye shall find' (Matthew 7:7). God is not far from anyone who genuinely seeks Him (Acts 17:27), though saving faith comes through Christ alone. The seeking heart finds a seeking God who was seeking it first.