Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֣
Know
H3045
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֣
Know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַיּ֗וֹם
therefore this day
H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם
therefore this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 16
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
וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָ֮
and consider
H7725
וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָ֮
and consider
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָה֙
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
he is God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
he is God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 16
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
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם
in heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם
in heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מִמַּ֔עַל
above
H4605
מִמַּ֔עַל
above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
11 of 16
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֖רֶץ
and upon the earth
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
and upon the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
13 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Joshua 2:11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.Deuteronomy 4:35Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.Psalms 135:6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.2 Chronicles 20:6And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?1 Chronicles 29:11Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.Hosea 7:2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Isaiah 5:12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Historical Context
Moses calls Israel to internalize monotheism—that Yahweh alone is God 'in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath.' This total claim over all reality contrasted with Canaanite religion that divided authority among many gods. As Israel prepared to enter Canaan around 1406 BC, this exclusive devotion to Yahweh was essential.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'consider in your heart' rather than merely know intellectually that the LORD is God?
- How should the truth that God rules 'in heaven above and on earth beneath' shape your prayers and decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Moses moves from historical recitation to present application with veyada'ta hayom (וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם, 'know today'). The command is immediate—not eventual understanding but present appropriation. The verb vahashevota (וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ, 'consider/return to heart') requires more than intellectual acknowledgment; truth must descend from head to heart, becoming the settled conviction that shapes all of life.
The scope of Yahweh's sovereignty is total: bashamayim mima'al ve'al ha'arets mitachat (בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְעַל הָאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת, 'in heaven above and on earth beneath'). No realm escapes His rule. Canaanite religion divided the cosmos among competing deities—Baal ruled weather, Mot ruled death, El presided over the pantheon. Moses demolishes this fragmentation: Yahweh alone governs all reality.
The concluding ein od (אֵין עוֹד, 'there is none else') echoes verse 35 and anticipates Isaiah's declarations (Isaiah 45:5-6, 18, 22). This is not merely theoretical monotheism but practical exclusivism—Yahweh alone deserves worship, trust, and obedience because He alone possesses divine power and authority. Knowing this transforms how we pray (to the only God who can act), how we trust (in the only God who controls outcomes), and how we worship (giving ultimate allegiance to no competitor).