Deuteronomy 4:31
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֤ל
God
H410
אֵ֤ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 17
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יְהוָ֣ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 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
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַרְפְּךָ֖
he will not forsake
H7503
יַרְפְּךָ֖
he will not forsake
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
7 of 17
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָ
thee neither destroy
H7843
יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָ
thee neither destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
9 of 17
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁכַּח֙
thee nor forget
H7911
יִשְׁכַּח֙
thee nor forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
11 of 17
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִ֣ית
the covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֣ית
the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
13 of 17
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
of thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
of thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.Psalms 116:5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.Nehemiah 9:31Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.Leviticus 26:42Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.2 Chronicles 30:9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.Psalms 111:5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.Psalms 111:9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.Jeremiah 14:21Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
Historical Context
Moses grounds hope in God's covenant faithfulness and mercy. Despite Israel's anticipated failures, God's promise to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (made some 400-600 years before Moses' time) would remain secure. This assurance was vital as Israel prepared to enter Canaan without Moses' leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How does grounding assurance in God's character rather than your own faithfulness change your experience of security in Christ?
- Which of the three fears addressed here—abandonment, destruction, or being forgotten—most resonates with your own spiritual struggles?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Moses grounds Israel's hope not in their future faithfulness but in God's unchanging character. The parenthetical declaration El rachum Yahweh Elohekha (אֵל רַחוּם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 'the LORD thy God is a merciful God') reveals the foundation: divine compassion (rachum, from rechem, 'womb') suggests maternal tenderness and covenant commitment.
Three negations reinforce this mercy: God will not yarph (יַרְפְּךָ, 'forsake/abandon'), will not yashchit (יַשְׁחִיתֶךָ, 'destroy'), and will not yishkach (יִשְׁכַּח, 'forget') the covenant. The first addresses fear of abandonment in exile; the second, fear of annihilation; the third, fear that God's promises might lapse through divine forgetfulness. Each fear is met with emphatic denial.
The ultimate anchor is berit avotekha (בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָ, 'covenant of thy fathers')—the unconditional promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, confirmed by divine oath (nishba lahem). Israel's restoration depends not on earning forgiveness but on God's covenant fidelity. This anticipates the New Covenant, where God's promises in Christ secure believers eternally—not because of our faithfulness but because of His (2 Timothy 2:13).