Deuteronomy 4:8
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Original Language Analysis
וּמִי֙
H4310
וּמִי֙
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
גּ֣וֹי
And what nation
H1471
גּ֣וֹי
And what nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גָּד֔וֹל
is there so great
H1419
גָּד֔וֹל
is there so great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
3 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֻקִּ֥ים
that hath statutes
H2706
חֻקִּ֥ים
that hath statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
6 of 16
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖ים
and judgments
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖ים
and judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כְּכֹל֙
H3605
כְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַתּוֹרָ֣ה
as all this law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֣ה
as all this law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
10 of 16
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נֹתֵ֥ן
which I set
H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן
which I set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Set against ancient Near Eastern law codes, Israel's law was revolutionary: equal justice regardless of social class (Exodus 23:3, 6), cities of refuge for manslaughter (Numbers 35), prohibition of interest on loans to the poor (Leviticus 25:35-37), gleaning rights (Leviticus 19:9-10), and seventh-year land rest benefiting poor and wildlife (Exodus 23:10-11). These righteous ordinances reflected God's character and distinguished Israel morally from surrounding nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the righteousness of God's law reveal His moral perfection and serve as humanity's ultimate ethical standard?
- What aspects of Old Testament civil law continue to instruct Christians about justice, mercy, and social responsibility?
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Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question 'what nation is there so great' emphasizes Israel's unique privilege of possessing divinely revealed law. The phrase 'righteous statutes and judgments' (Hebrew 'tsaddiq'—just/righteous) indicates that God's law reflects His perfect moral character. Unlike arbitrary pagan codes, biblical law flows from divine nature. This verse establishes the theonomic principle that God's law is the supreme standard of justice. From a Reformed perspective, while ceremonial aspects are fulfilled in Christ, the moral law continues to guide Christian ethics, revealing God's unchanging righteousness.