Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
an
H4310
מִֽי
an
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 19
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֵּ֡ן
in them
H5414
יִתֵּ֡ן
in them
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
וְהָיָה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זֶ֜ה
O that there were such
H2088
זֶ֜ה
O that there were such
Strong's:
H2088
Word #:
5 of 19
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
לְיִרְאָ֥ה
that they would fear
H3372
לְיִרְאָ֥ה
that they would fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 19
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֹתִ֛י
H853
אֹתִ֛י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
me and keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
me and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתַ֖י
all my commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתַ֖י
all my commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 19
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֑ים
always
H3117
הַיָּמִ֑ים
always
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 19
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
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יִיטַ֥ב
that it might be well
H3190
יִיטַ֥ב
that it might be well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
16 of 19
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
Cross References
Isaiah 48:18O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:Deuteronomy 11:1Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Luke 19:42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.Deuteronomy 4:40Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.Deuteronomy 5:16Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Revelation 22:14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.Ephesians 6:3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.2 Corinthians 5:20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.James 1:25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Historical Context
Despite initial commitment at Sinai, Israel repeatedly violated covenant: golden calf (Exodus 32), rebellion at Kadesh (Numbers 14), Baal worship (Numbers 25), and cyclical apostasy throughout Judges, Kings, and Chronicles. The problem wasn't lack of revelation or external structure but heart corruption requiring regeneration. The prophets repeatedly called for circumcised hearts (Deuteronomy 10:16, Jeremiah 4:4), anticipating new covenant transformation. Only Christ's atonement and Spirit's indwelling produce genuine obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's desire for 'such an heart' reveal that external compliance without heart transformation doesn't constitute true obedience?
- In what ways does this verse anticipate the new covenant promise where God Himself creates willing, obedient hearts in His elect (Ezekiel 36:26-27)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's lament 'O that there were such an heart in them' reveals divine desire for genuine inward transformation, not mere external compliance. The Hebrew 'mi-yitten' (who will give/O that) expresses deep longing. God desires 'that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always'—permanent, heartfelt obedience flowing from reverential love. The promise 'that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever' shows obedience brings multi-generational blessing. This verse anticipates the new covenant where God writes law on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27). Only sovereign grace produces the transformed heart capable of covenant faithfulness.