1
וְהָיָה֩ כִֽי יָבֹ֨אוּ עָלֶ֜יךָ כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה הַבְּרָכָה֙ וְהַקְּלָלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֙ אֶל לְבָבֶ֔ךָ בְּכָל הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֧ר הִדִּיחֲךָ֛ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ שָֽׁמָּה
And it shall be, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse that I have set before you, and you recall them to your heart among all the nations where YHWH your God has driven you,
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהָיָה֩and it will come aboutconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis-introducing weqatal)→ Weqatal: predictive/consequential — launches the long conditional period governing vv. 1-10הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the general verb of existence; opens the chapter's temporal frame, 'and it will be, when...'.
כִֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (temporal)כִּי (H3588), multivalent conjunction 'when / because / that'; here temporal, introducing the protasis of the long conditional.
יָבֹ֨אוּcomeQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the temporal (protasis) clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — the anticipated arrival of blessing-and-curse upon Israelבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here of the covenant sanctions coming to pass upon Israel in history.
עָלֶ֜יךָupon youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal/recipient)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; here marking Israel as recipient of the coming blessing and curse.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of subject noun phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct governing הַדְּבָרִים, totalizing 'all these things'.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of כָּל (subject)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; 'these things' = the blessings and curses just pronounced in chs. 28-29.
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative pointing back to the covenant sanctions just pronounced.
הַבְּרָכָה֙the blessingart + N f sg abs · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Appositional noun (epexegetical to הַדְּבָרִים)בְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing', from בָּרַךְ 'to bless'; the positive covenant sanction of ch. 28.
וְהַקְּלָלָ֔הand the curseconj + art + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Appositional noun, second member of the pairקְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse', from קָלַל 'to be light, curse'; paired with בְּרָכָה as the two covenant outcomes of chs. 27-28.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'.
נָתַ֖תִּיI have setQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — Moses' setting-forth of blessing and curse is already accomplishedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; of Moses' having placed the covenant choice before Israel (cf. v. 15, 19).
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ forms the idiom 'before, in the presence of'.
וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֙and you bring backconj + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis continuation)→ Weqatal: consequential — the first of the chapter's sevenfold שׁוּב; Hiphil causative-reflexive, 'you shall bring [your heart] back'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Hiphil is causative, and with לֵבָב idiomatically means 'take to heart, call to mind, reconsider' — the first occurrence of the root that drives this whole passage (cf. vv. 2, 3 [x2], 8, 9, 10).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking goal of וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition.
לְבָבֶ֔ךָyour heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of preposition אֶללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind, inner self'; seat of thought and will; the first heart-word of the chapter, anticipating the circumcised heart of v. 6.
בְּכָלamong allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הַגּוֹיִם, 'among all the nations'.
הַגּוֹיִ֔םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of כָּלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here the peoples among whom exiled Israel is scattered.
אֲשֶׁ֧רto whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause, resumed by שָׁמָּהאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; resumed by the locative adverb שָׁמָּה at clause end ('where... there').
הִדִּיחֲךָ֛he has driven youHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · נָדַח (H5080)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH's past act of banishing Israel into exileנָדַח (H5080) 'to banish, drive away, scatter'; Hiphil causative, of YHWH's judicial expulsion of Israel to exile — the dark counterpart to the gathering promised in vv. 3-4.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִדִּיחֲךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be' — the self-existent One who both scatters in judgment and gathers in mercy.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty; in construct with 2ms suffix, the covenant relational title recurring throughout the chapter.
שָֽׁמָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial resumption of the אֲשֶׁר clause (locative)שָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional ־ָה suffix, 'thither'; resumes the relative clause, 'to which place'.
2
וְשַׁבְתָּ֞ עַד יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֣ בְקֹל֔וֹ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם אַתָּ֣ה וּבָנֶ֔יךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶֽׁךָ
and you return to YHWH your God and listen to his voice, according to all that I am commanding you today — you and your sons — with all your heart and with all your soul,
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְשַׁבְתָּ֞and you will returnconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis continuation)→ Weqatal: consequential — second occurrence of שׁוּב, now directed at YHWH himself rather than merely 'to your heart'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Qal, intransitive — Israel's own turning to YHWH, complementing the Hiphil of v. 1.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase marking goal of וְשַׁבְתָּעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until, to'; here marking the goal of return, functionally parallel to אֶל.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition עַדיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the object of Israel's returning.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; in construct with 2ms suffix, the covenant relational title.
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֣and you will listenconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate with וְשַׁבְתָּ)→ Weqatal: consequential — obedience as the necessary complement to returningשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; in Hebrew idiom hearing entails obeying — recurs at vv. 8, 10, 20 as the covenant's basic demand.
בְקֹל֔וֹto his voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of שָׁמַע (idiomatic 'listen to voice')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; with שָׁמַע forms the idiom 'obey', referring to YHWH's spoken commandments.
כְּכֹ֛לaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (conformity)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with כְּ, 'according to all that...', introducing the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject, resumed by the participle's own agreementאָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs independent pronoun; used redundantly alongside the participle for emphasis — Moses' personal authority as covenant mediator.
מְצַוְּךָ֖commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, head of relative clause)→ Participle: durative/present — Moses' ongoing act of commanding, in progress at the moment of speakingצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel factitive; the participle frames Moses' words as commandment being delivered 'today'.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Moses' recurring temporal marker (vv. 2, 8, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19).
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject, coordinate with וּבָנֶיךָאַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun, emphatic here, paired with 'your sons' to stress trans-generational scope.
וּבָנֶ֔יךָand your sonsconj + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subject with אַתָּהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural 'sons, children', extending the address beyond the present generation.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with לְבָבְךָ, 'with all your heart'.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement of כָּללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; paired with נֶפֶשׁ in the classic totality formula (cf. 6:5).
וּבְכָלand with allconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate adverbial phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with נַפְשְׁךָ, completing the heart-and-soul formula.
נַפְשֶֽׁךָyour soulN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement of כָּלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; with לֵבָב forms the totality idiom for whole-person devotion (cf. 6:5; 10:12).
3
וְשָׁ֨ב יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ אֶת שְׁבוּתְךָ֖ וְרִחֲמֶ֑ךָ וְשָׁ֗ב וְקִבֶּצְךָ֙ מִכָּל הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר הֱפִֽיצְךָ֛ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ שָֽׁמָּה
then YHWH your God will restore your captivity and have compassion on you, and he will again gather you from all the peoples where YHWH your God has scattered you.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְשָׁ֨בand he will restoreconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Weqatal: consequential — the long-awaited apodosis; third occurrence of שׁוּב, now with YHWH as subjectשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Qal with YHWH as subject, governing the idiom שָׁב אֶת־שְׁבוּתְךָ 'restore your captivity/fortunes' — a fientive reversal answering Israel's own return in vv. 1-2 (see chapter text_note).
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְשָׁביְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the restoration promised here.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שְׁבוּתְךָ as definite direct object; untranslated in English.
שְׁבוּתְךָ֖your captivityN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · שְׁבוּת (H7622)Direct object of וְשָׁבשְׁבוּת (H7622), from שׁוּב; the idiom שׁוּב שְׁבוּת denotes not narrowly 'bring back captives' but 'restore fortunes, reverse misfortune' — the chapter's fientive crux (see text_note; cf. Job 42:10).
וְרִחֲמֶ֑ךָand he will have compassion on youconj + Piel weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · רִחַם (H7355)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְשָׁב→ Weqatal: consequential — YHWH's compassion as the emotional ground of restorationרָחַם (H7355) 'to have compassion, show mercy'; Piel; related to רֶחֶם 'womb', suggesting visceral, maternal-like tenderness.
וְשָׁ֗בand he will againconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb functioning adverbially with the following verb→ Weqatal: consequential — fourth שׁוּב, here in the common verb+verb idiom ('will again gather')שׁוּב (H7725) in its adverbial usage (paired verbs) meaning 'to do again'; with וְקִבֶּצְךָ, 'he will again gather you'.
וְקִבֶּצְךָ֙and he will gather youconj + Piel weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · קִבֵּץ (H6908)Predicate verb, complementary to וְשָׁב (hendiadys 'will again gather')→ Weqatal: consequential — the ingathering that completes the restorationקָבַץ (H6908) 'to gather, collect'; Piel intensive, of YHWH gathering the scattered exiles — a key restoration-prophecy term (cf. Isa 11:12; Ezek 11:17).
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעַמִּים, 'from all the peoples'.
הָ֣עַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the peoples among whom Israel is dispersed, synonym of גּוֹי in v. 1.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, resumed by שָׁמָּהאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle resumed by the locative adverb שָׁמָּה.
הֱפִֽיצְךָ֛he has scattered youHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · פּוּץ (H6327)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH's past scattering of Israel among the nationsפּוּץ (H6327) 'to scatter, disperse'; Hiphil causative; of YHWH's judicial dispersion of Israel, synonym of הִדִּיחֲךָ in v. 1.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הֱפִיצְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the past scattering now being reversed.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
שָֽׁמָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial resumption of the אֲשֶׁר clause (locative)שָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional ־ָה suffix, 'thither'; resumes the relative clause.
4
אִם יִהְיֶ֥ה נִֽדַּחֲךָ֖ בִּקְצֵ֣ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם מִשָּׁ֗ם יְקַבֶּצְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ וּמִשָּׁ֖ם יִקָּחֶֽךָ
If your outcasts are at the end of the heavens, from there YHWH your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces a conditional clause that intensifies v. 3's promise to its rhetorical limit.
יִהְיֶ֥הwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of conditional clause (existential)→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — a hypothetical state within the protasisהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential, 'if your outcast(s) should be...'.
נִֽדַּחֲךָ֖your outcast(s)Niphal ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · נָדַח (H5080)Subject of יִהְיֶה (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — 'the one(s) banished belonging to you', a collective designation for scattered Israelנָדַח (H5080) 'to be banished, driven away'; Niphal passive of the Hiphil in v. 1 (הִדִּיחֲךָ); the singular construct form is used with collective force.
בִּקְצֵ֣הat the end ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, extremity'; construct with הַשָּׁמַיִם, a hyperbolic idiom for the remotest imaginable place.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement of קְצֵהשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; here spatial hyperbole, 'the end of the heavens' = the farthest horizon.
מִשָּׁ֗םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source), fronted for emphasisשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן, 'from there' — repeated in the parallel clause (וּמִשָּׁם) for emphatic doubling.
יְקַבֶּצְךָ֙he will gather youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · קִבֵּץ (H6908)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: future/durative — YHWH's certain future act of ingatheringקָבַץ (H6908) 'to gather'; Piel; echoes וְקִבֶּצְךָ of v. 3, reaffirmed even for the extreme case posed in v. 4.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְקַבֶּצְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the gathering, undeterred by distance.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
וּמִשָּׁ֖םand from thereconj + prep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Coordinate adverbial phrase, emphatic doublet with מִשָּׁםשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; repeated for rhetorical emphasis, 'and from there'.
יִקָּחֶֽךָhe will take youQal impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, coordinate with יְקַבֶּצְךָ→ Yiqtol: future — completing the promise of retrieval regardless of distanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, fetch'; here of YHWH personally retrieving the exile, intensifying קִבֵּץ with a more intimate verb of 'taking'.
5
וֶהֱבִֽיאֲךָ֞ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אֶל הָאָ֛רֶץ אֲשֶׁר יָרְשׁ֥וּ אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְהֵיטִֽבְךָ֥ וְהִרְבְּךָ֖ מֵאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ
And YHWH your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, and you will possess it; and he will make you prosper and multiply you more than your fathers.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וֶהֱבִֽיאֲךָ֞and he will bring youconj + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the restoration sequence)→ Weqatal: consequential — the return culminates in re-entry to the landבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Hiphil causative 'bring in', the positive counterpart to יָבֹאוּ of v. 1.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וֶהֱבִיאֲךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent bringing Israel into the land.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking goal of וֶהֱבִיאֲךָאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; directional preposition.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the promised land, referent of the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
יָרְשׁ֥וּthey possessedQal perf 3cp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the fathers' prior possession of the landיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; of the patriarchal/ancestral generation's original possession of Canaan.
אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of יָרְשׁוּאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'fathers, ancestors', here the patriarchal/pre-conquest generation.
וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑הּand you will possess itconj + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb, coordinate with וֶהֱבִיאֲךָ→ Weqatal: consequential — the new generation's possession completes what the fathers beganיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; 3fs suffix refers back to הָאָרֶץ, 'you will possess it'.
וְהֵיטִֽבְךָ֥and he will make you prosperconj + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb, coordinate result clause→ Weqatal: consequential — divine blessing exceeding the ancestral baselineיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; Hiphil causative 'do good to, make prosper'.
וְהִרְבְּךָ֖and he will multiply youconj + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְהֵיטִבְךָ→ Weqatal: consequential — numerical increase paired with prosperityרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, increase'; Hiphil causative 'make many, multiply', echoing the patriarchal blessing (Gen 12:2; 22:17).
מֵאֲבֹתֶֽיךָmore than your fathersprep מִן + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying the preceding verbsאָב (H1) 'father'; with מִן, comparative 'more than your fathers' — restoration that surpasses, not merely restores, prior blessing.
6
וּמָ֨ל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ אֶת לְבָבְךָ֖ וְאֶת לְבַ֣ב זַרְעֶ֑ךָ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ֖ לְמַ֥עַן חַיֶּֽיךָ
And YHWH your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וּמָ֨לand he will circumciseconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb (main clause) — the chapter's theological center→ Weqatal: consequential — the climactic act, here PROMISED rather than commanded (contrast the imperative of 10:16)מוּל (H4135) 'to circumcise'; here metaphorically of the heart, not flesh — fulfilling 10:16's command ('circumcise the foreskin of your heart') as YHWH's own future action, kin to Jer 31:33 and Ezek 36:26.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּמָליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the heart's circumcision.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking לְבָבְךָ as definite direct object; untranslated in English.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Direct object of וּמָללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the object of divine circumcision — the seat of will made receptive to love YHWH.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת marks לְבַב זַרְעֶךָ as the second, coordinate direct object of וּמָל.
לְבַ֣בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵבָב (H3824)Construct head of second direct objectלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart'; construct with זַרְעֶךָ, extending the promise to the next generation.
זַרְעֶ֑ךָyour seedN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Genitive complement of לְבַבזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the promise's trans-generational reach, echoing the patriarchal seed-promise.
לְאַהֲבָ֞הto loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Purpose infinitive clause (result of the circumcised heart)→ Infinitive: purpose/result — the circumcision's intended outcomeאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; covenantal love expressed in wholehearted allegiance, the purpose for which the heart is circumcised (cf. 6:5; 10:12).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the object of לְאַהֲבָה.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לְאַהֲבָה (via אֵת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the object of the love the circumcised heart makes possible.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with לְבָבְךָ, 'with all your heart'.
לְבָבְךָ֥your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement of כָּללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; paired with נֶפֶשׁ in the totality formula (cf. 6:5).
וּבְכָלand with allconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate adverbial phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with נַפְשְׁךָ, completing the heart-and-soul formula.
נַפְשְׁךָ֖your soulN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement of כָּלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; with לֵבָב forms the totality idiom for whole-person devotion.
לְמַ֥עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose/result conjunction introducing final clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, so that'; introduces the ultimate purpose of the whole promise of v. 6 — life itself.
חַיֶּֽיךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַיִּים (H2416)Object of לְמַעַן (idiomatic 'that you may live')חַיִּים (H2416) 'life' (plural of abstraction); with לְמַעַן, the idiom means 'so that you may live' — tying the circumcised heart to life itself, the chapter's key term (cf. vv. 15, 19-20).
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וְנָתַן֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֵ֥ת כָּל הָאָל֖וֹת הָאֵ֑לֶּה עַל אֹיְבֶ֥יךָ וְעַל שֹׂנְאֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רְדָפֽוּךָ
And YHWH your God will put all these curses upon your enemies and upon those who hate you, who persecuted you.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְנָתַן֙and he will putconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: consequential — YHWH's redirection of the curses onto the enemiesנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here of transferring/imposing the covenant curses onto a new target.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְנָתַןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent redirecting the curses.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל הָאָלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה as definite direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct governing הָאָלוֹת, 'all these curses'.
הָאָל֖וֹתthe cursesart + N f pl abs · אָלָה (H423)Genitive complement of כָּל (direct object)אָלָה (H423) 'curse, oath of imprecation'; the sworn covenant curses of chs. 27-28, here redirected onto Israel's enemies.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָלוֹתאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; pointing to the specific curses just sworn in ch. 28.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal/recipient)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marking the new recipients of the curses.
אֹיְבֶ֥יךָyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of preposition עַל (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — 'those hostile to you', a durative characterizationאֹיֵב (H341), from אָיַב 'to be hostile'; a lexicalized participle functioning as a noun, 'enemy' — Israel's standing adversary.
וְעַלand uponconj + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate adverbial phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; coordinate with the preceding phrase, extending the curse's target.
שֹׂנְאֶ֖יךָthose who hate youQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Object of preposition עַל (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — characterizing, ongoing hatred rather than a single actשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; substantival participle 'haters', synonym parallel to אֹיְבֶיךָ.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
רְדָפֽוּךָthey persecuted youQal perf 3cp + 2ms suffix · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the enemies' past persecution of Israel, now the ground for their receiving the cursesרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, persecute'; of the nations' historical oppression of exiled Israel.
8
וְאַתָּ֣ה תָשׁ֔וּב וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ בְּק֣וֹל יְהוָ֑ה וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ֙ אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם
And you will again listen to the voice of YHWH, and do all his commandments that I command you today.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאַתָּ֣הand youconj + independent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic fronted subject (resumptive)אַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun; fronted for emphasis, marking a shift back to Israel's own responsive action after YHWH's acts in vv. 3-7.
תָשׁ֔וּבwill againQal impf 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb functioning adverbially with the following verbs→ Yiqtol: future — fifth שׁוּב of the chapter, marking the resumed cycle of obedienceשׁוּב (H7725) here adverbial ('again'), paired with the following verbs of listening and doing — Israel's obedience begun anew.
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖and you will listenconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, coordinate with תָשׁוּב→ Weqatal: consequential — resumed obedienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; recurs from v. 2, now as the effect of YHWH's prior gracious acts.
בְּק֣וֹלto the voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Object of שָׁמַע (idiomatic 'listen to voice')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; idiom 'obey the voice of YHWH'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; whose voice Israel is to obey.
וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ֙and you will doconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, coordinate with the preceding verbs→ Weqatal: consequential — obedience completed in deed, not merely in hearingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; the practical completion of the hearing-obeying sequence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל מִצְוֹתָיו as definite direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct governing מִצְוֹתָיו, 'all his commandments'.
מִצְוֺתָ֔יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּל (direct object)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; YHWH's commandments as a body, the object of doing.
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject, resumed by the participleאָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs independent pronoun; used with the participle for emphasis.
מְצַוְּךָ֖commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, head of relative clause)→ Participle: durative/present — Moses' ongoing act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel factitive; frames Moses' words as commandment being delivered 'today'.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Moses' recurring temporal marker.
9
וְהוֹתִֽירְךָ֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ בְּכֹ֣ל מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֗ךָ בִּפְרִ֨י בִטְנְךָ֜ וּבִפְרִ֧י בְהֶמְתְּךָ֛ וּבִפְרִ֥י אַדְמָתְךָ֖ לְטוֹבָ֑ה כִּ֣י יָשׁ֣וּב יְהוָ֗ה לָשׂ֤וּשׂ עָלֶ֨יךָ֙ לְט֔וֹב כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׂ֖שׂ עַל אֲבֹתֶֽיךָ
And YHWH your God will make you abundant in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for YHWH will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers,
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְהוֹתִֽירְךָ֩and he will make you abundantconj + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — abundance as the fruit of restored obedienceיָתַר (H3498) 'to remain, be left over'; Hiphil causative 'cause to abound, make surplus' — of YHWH granting material abundance.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְהוֹתִירְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the promised abundance.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
בְּכֹ֣לin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (sphere)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ, 'in all the work of your hand'.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Genitive complement of כֹּלמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed, product'; construct with יָדֶךָ, the labor of one's hands.
יָדֶ֗ךָyour handN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement of מַעֲשֵׂהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'work of the hand' = one's productive labor or enterprise.
בִּפְרִ֨יin the fruit ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Adverbial prepositional phrase, first of a triadפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; here figurative of offspring, echoing 28:4, 11.
בִטְנְךָ֜your bodyN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Genitive complement of פְּרִיבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; idiom 'fruit of the womb/body' = children.
וּבִפְרִ֧יand in the fruit ofconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Coordinate adverbial phrase, second of the triadפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; here of livestock offspring.
בְהֶמְתְּךָ֛your livestockN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive complement of פְּרִיבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock, cattle'; idiom 'fruit of livestock' = offspring of herds and flocks.
וּבִפְרִ֥יand in the fruit ofconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Coordinate adverbial phrase, third of the triadפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; here of agricultural produce.
אַדְמָתְךָ֖your groundN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement of פְּרִיאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; idiom 'fruit of the ground' = crops.
לְטוֹבָ֑הfor goodprep לְ + adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/result)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; substantival, 'for good/prosperity', summarizing the preceding triad's purpose.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'for, because', grounding the promised abundance in YHWH's renewed favor.
יָשׁ֣וּבhe will againQal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb functioning adverbially with the infinitive לָשׂוּשׂ→ Yiqtol: future — sixth שׁוּב of the chapter, here applied to YHWH's own rejoicingשׁוּב (H7725) adverbial ('again'), paired with לָשׂוּשׂ, 'will again rejoice' — reversing 28:63's threat that YHWH would 'rejoice' over Israel's ruin.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יָשׁוּביְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the renewed rejoicing.
לָשׂ֤וּשׂto rejoiceprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שׂוּשׂ (H7797)Complementary infinitive completing יָשׁוּב→ Infinitive: complementary — specifying the content of YHWH's renewed actionשׂוּשׂ/שׂישׂ (H7797) 'to rejoice, exult'; YHWH's joy over Israel's restoration, a tender counterpoint to 28:63.
עָלֶ֨יךָ֙over youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of rejoicing)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; marking Israel as the object of YHWH's joy.
לְט֔וֹבfor goodprep לְ + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; substantival, 'for good', echoing לְטוֹבָה earlier in the verse.
כַּאֲשֶׁרasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing comparative clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; compound of כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, introducing the comparison with YHWH's joy over the fathers.
שָׂ֖שׂhe rejoicedQal perf 3ms · שׂוּשׂ (H7797)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH's past rejoicing over the patriarchsשׂוּשׂ (H7797) 'to rejoice'; same root as לָשׂוּשׂ, forming an echo across the verse.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of rejoicing)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; marking the fathers as the object of YHWH's past joy.
אֲבֹתֶֽיךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Object of preposition עַלאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'fathers, ancestors', the patriarchal generation over whom YHWH once rejoiced.
10
כִּ֣י תִשְׁמַ֗ע בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י תָשׁוּב֙ אֶל יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶֽׁךָ
when you listen to the voice of YHWH your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes written in this book of the law, when you return to YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (conditional/temporal, resumes the condition of v. 8)כִּי (H3588) here conditional-temporal, 'when/if', closing the sequence with the same condition posed since v. 2.
תִשְׁמַ֗עyou listenQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/durative — the condition on which the whole sequence of blessing restsשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; recapitulates vv. 2, 8, closing the obedience theme.
בְּקוֹל֙to the voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Object of תִּשְׁמַע (idiomatic 'listen to voice')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; idiom 'obey the voice of YHWH'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; whose voice Israel is to obey.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
לִשְׁמֹ֤רto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive clause complementing תִּשְׁמַע→ Infinitive: purpose — specifying the content of obedienceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; of observing YHWH's commandments in practice.
מִצְוֺתָיו֙his commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לִשְׁמֹרמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the body of YHWH's commands, object of keeping.
וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יוand his statutesconj + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Coordinate direct object of לִשְׁמֹרחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed limit'; from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; paired with מִצְוָה as the full body of covenant law.
הַכְּתוּבָ֕הwrittenart + Qal passive ptc f sg abs · כָּתַב (H3789)Attributive participle modifying וְחֻקֹּתָיו→ Participle: passive/stative — the enduring, inscribed status of the lawכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; Qal passive participle 'written', pointing to the Torah scroll as the authoritative written deposit of the commandments.
בְּסֵ֥פֶרin the book ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · סֵפֶר (H5612)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location) modifying הַכְּתוּבָהסֵפֶר (H5612) 'book, scroll, document'; construct with הַתּוֹרָה, the written Torah scroll.
הַתּוֹרָ֖הthe lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complement of סֵפֶרתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction, teaching'; from יָרָה 'to teach'; the body of Mosaic instruction, here a written document.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֶה (H2088) 'this'; pointing to the specific Torah scroll Moses is delivering.
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (conditional/temporal)כִּי (H3588) here conditional-temporal, coordinate with the first כִּי of this verse.
תָשׁוּב֙you returnQal impf 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb of second conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional — the seventh and climactic שׁוּב, closing the sevenfold sequence begun in v. 1שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; the seventh and final occurrence, forming an inclusio with v. 2's וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד יְהוָה — Israel's own wholehearted return as the condition underlying the entire promise.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking goal of תָשׁוּבאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the goal of Israel's climactic return.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with לְבָבְךָ, 'with all your heart'.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement of כָּללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; paired with נֶפֶשׁ in the totality formula, closing the chapter's opening heart-vocabulary (v. 1).
וּבְכָלand with allconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate adverbial phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with נַפְשְׁךָ, completing the heart-and-soul formula.
נַפְשֶֽׁךָyour soulN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement of כָּלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; with לֵבָב forms the totality idiom for whole-person devotion, closing the unit vv. 1-10.
11
כִּ֚י הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לֹֽא נִפְלֵ֥את הִוא֙ מִמְּךָ֔ וְלֹ֥א רְחֹקָ֖ה הִֽוא
For this commandment that I command you today is not too wondrous for you, nor is it far off.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction opening new paragraphכִּי (H3588) causal, 'for'; introduces the argument of vv. 11-14 grounding the choice of vv. 15-20.
הַמִּצְוָ֣הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Subject of נִפְלֵאתמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; here summarizing the whole covenant obligation, not a single statute.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּצְוָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs); pointing to the commandment just delivered.
אֲשֶׁ֛רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject, resumed by the participleאָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs independent pronoun; used with the participle for emphasis.
מְצַוְּךָ֖commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, head of relative clause)→ Participle: durative/present — Moses' ongoing act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel factitive; frames Moses' words as commandment being delivered 'today'.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Moses' recurring temporal marker.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נִפְלֵאתלֹא (H3808), the ordinary Hebrew negative particle.
נִפְלֵ֥אתtoo wondrousNiphal ptc f sg abs · פָּלָא (H6381)Predicate participle (nominal clause with הִוא)→ Participle: stative — a quality attributed to (here denied of) the commandmentפָּלָא (H6381) 'to be extraordinary, beyond reach'; Niphal, here denied of the commandment — it does not exceed human capacity, unlike the miraculous 'wonders' (נִפְלָאוֹת) of the exodus.
הִוא֙itindependent pronoun 3fs (archaic spelling) · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of nominal clause with נִפְלֵאתהִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun; the archaic spelling הִוא (with vav) is a Kethiv the Masoretes left uncorrected, typical of Deuteronomy's orthography (see text_note).
מִמְּךָ֔from youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase (comparison, 'beyond you')מִן (H4480) 'from'; with נִפְלֵאת, 'too wondrous FROM you' = beyond your reach or capacity.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinate negation of רְחֹקָהלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle, coordinated with the first negation.
רְחֹקָ֖הfaradj f sg abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Predicate adjective (nominal clause with הִוא)רָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; denied here of the commandment — no spatial or existential remoteness.
הִֽואitindependent pronoun 3fs (archaic spelling) · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of nominal clause with רְחֹקָההִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun; again spelled הִוא, the same archaic Kethiv as earlier in the verse.
12
לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֨יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה
It is not in the heavens, that you should say, 'Who will go up for us to the heavens and get it for us and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?'
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the nominal clause (predicate בַשָּׁמַיִם)לֹא (H3808), the ordinary Hebrew negative particle.
בַשָּׁמַ֖יִםin the heavensprep בְּ + art + N m dual abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Predicate prepositional phrase (nominal clause with הִוא)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; denied here as the commandment's location — it is not hidden away in heaven.
הִ֑ואitindependent pronoun 3fs (archaic spelling) · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of nominal clauseהִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun; spelled הִוא, referring back to הַמִּצְוָה of v. 11.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct quotation→ Infinitive: quotative — the standard Hebrew formula introducing reported speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the infinitive לֵאמֹר conventionally introduces direct speech, here a hypothetical objection.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pronoun · מִי (H4310)Subject of יַעֲלֶהמִי (H4310) 'who?'; interrogative pronoun opening the rhetorical, unanswerable question.
יַעֲלֶהwill go upQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the quoted question→ Yiqtol: future/deliberative — the imagined heroic ascentעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; here of a mythic ascent to heaven to fetch hidden wisdom, evoking ancient Near Eastern quest-motifs.
לָּ֤נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (benefactive)לְ 'for, to'; benefactive, 'on our behalf'.
הַשָּׁמַ֨יְמָה֙to the heavensart + N m pl abs + directional he · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; with directional ־ָה, 'heavenward', marking the goal of the imagined ascent.
וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָand take itconj + Qal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, coordinate purpose within the quotation→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — retrieving the commandment (3fs suffix referent)לָקַח (H3947) 'to take, fetch'; 3fs suffix refers back to הַמִּצְוָה — the imagined retrieval of the commandment from heaven.
לָּ֔נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (benefactive)לְ 'for, to'; benefactive, repeated for rhetorical parallelism.
וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּand proclaim it to usconj + Hiphil impf 3ms + 1cp suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, coordinate purpose→ Yiqtol: purpose — causative 'make us hear' = proclaim, announceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Hiphil causative 'cause to hear, proclaim'; the imagined messenger relaying the retrieved commandment.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ (referring to הַמִּצְוָה)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, 'it' (the commandment), object of the imagined proclamation.
וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּהthat we may do itconj + Qal impf 1cp + 3fs suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, final purpose clause closing the quotation→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the goal of the imagined quest, doing the commandmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; 3fs suffix refers to the commandment — the imagined quest exists only to enable obedience, ironically already possible without it.
13
וְלֹֽא מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲבָר לָ֜נוּ אֶל עֵ֤בֶר הַיָּם֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה
Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross over for us beyond the sea and get it for us and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?'
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the nominal clause, coordinate with v. 12לֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle, continuing the double denial begun in v. 12.
מֵעֵ֥בֶרbeyondprep מִן + N m sg abs · עֵבֶר (H5676)Predicate prepositional phrase (nominal clause with הִוא)עֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; with מִן, 'from beyond' — denied here as the commandment's location.
לַיָּ֖םthe seaprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Adverbial complement specifying מֵעֵבֶריָם (H3220) 'sea'; with עֵבֶר, 'beyond the sea' — paired with 'heavens' (v. 12) as a merism for inaccessible extremes.
הִ֑ואitindependent pronoun 3fs (archaic spelling) · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of nominal clauseהִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun; spelled הִוא, referring back to הַמִּצְוָה.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct quotation→ Infinitive: quotative — introduces the second imagined objection, parallel to v. 12אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the infinitive לֵאמֹר conventionally introduces direct speech.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pronoun · מִי (H4310)Subject of יַעֲבָרמִי (H4310) 'who?'; interrogative pronoun, mirroring v. 12's opening.
יַעֲבָרwill cross overQal impf 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb of the quoted question→ Yiqtol: future/deliberative — the imagined heroic sea-crossingעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; an imagined voyage beyond the sea to fetch hidden wisdom, paralleling יַעֲלֶה of v. 12.
לָ֜נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (benefactive)לְ 'for, to'; benefactive.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking goal of יַעֲבָראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition.
עֵ֤בֶרthe other side ofN m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Object of preposition אֶלעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; construct with הַיָּם, 'the other side of the sea'.
הַיָּם֙the seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive complement of עֵבֶריָם (H3220) 'sea'; the far shore imagined as the location of hidden wisdom.
וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָand take itconj + Qal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, coordinate purpose within the quotation→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — retrieving the commandment (3fs suffix referent)לָקַח (H3947) 'to take, fetch'; 3fs suffix refers back to הַמִּצְוָה, mirroring v. 12.
לָּ֔נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (benefactive)לְ 'for, to'; benefactive, repeated for rhetorical parallelism.
וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּand proclaim it to usconj + Hiphil impf 3ms + 1cp suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, coordinate purpose→ Yiqtol: purpose — causative 'make us hear' = proclaimשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Hiphil causative 'cause to hear, proclaim'.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ (referring to הַמִּצְוָה)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, 'it' (the commandment).
וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּהthat we may do itconj + Qal impf 1cp + 3fs suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, final purpose clause closing the quotation→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the goal of the imagined quest, doing the commandmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; 3fs suffix refers to the commandment, closing the parallel objection of vv. 12-13.
14
כִּֽי קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/causal conjunction ('but/for'), resolving vv. 12-13's negationsכִּי (H3588) here adversative-causal, 'but rather, for'; the positive counter-assertion to the preceding double denial.
קָר֥וֹבnearadj m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near, close'; the climactic positive answering both 'not in heaven' and 'not beyond the sea'.
אֵלֶ֛יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase completing קָרוֹבאֶל (H413) 'to'; with קָרוֹב, 'near to you' — proximate, accessible.
הַדָּבָ֖רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the nominal clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; here the commandment/Torah itself, cited by Paul in Rom 10:8 as 'the word of faith'.
מְאֹ֑דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier modifying קָרוֹבמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the nearness just asserted.
בְּפִ֥יךָin your mouthprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying the locus of nearnessפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; the locus of speech/confession, paired with 'heart' — cited by Paul in Rom 10:8 as the confession of faith.
וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖and in your heartconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phraseלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; paired with פֶּה — inward belief and outward confession together, closing the chapter's heart-vocabulary before the final choice (vv. 15-20).
לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹto do itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive clause completing the sentence→ Infinitive: purpose — the practical aim of the word's nearness: not mere knowledge but actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; 3ms suffix referring to הַדָּבָר — the nearness of the word is oriented toward obedience, not abstract contemplation.
15
רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֨יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת הָרָֽע
See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
רְאֵ֨הseeQal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Imperative opening a new paragraph (rhetorical summons)→ Volitional: imperative — an urgent summons to attentionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; imperative, opening Deuteronomy's rhetorical summit and demanding attention to the choice about to be presented.
נָתַ֤תִּיI have setQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — Moses' setting-forth of the alternatives, already accomplished in his speechנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; echoing v. 1, now presenting the starkest form of the choice: life/good, death/evil.
לְפָנֶ֨יךָ֙before youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ forms the idiom 'before, in the presence of', echoing v. 1.
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — the decisive moment of choice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַחַיִּים as the first definite direct object.
הַֽחַיִּ֖יםlifeart + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Direct object of נָתַתִּי (first member of the fourfold list)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life' (plural of abstraction); the chapter's key term, first in a list building to the choice of v. 19.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת marks הַטּוֹב as the second definite direct object.
הַטּ֑וֹבthe goodart + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object, second member of the fourfold listטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; substantival, paired with 'life' as its positive counterpart.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)אֵת marks הַמָּוֶת as the third definite direct object.
הַמָּ֖וֶתdeathart + N m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Direct object, third member of the fourfold listמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; the negative pole opposite חַיִּים, forming the chapter's central antithesis.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth object)אֵת marks הָרָע as the fourth definite direct object.
הָרָֽעthe evilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object, fourth member of the fourfold listרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, paired with 'death' as its negative counterpart, closing the fourfold list.
16
אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה בָא שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
in that I command you today to love YHWH your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his judgments, that you may live and multiply, and YHWH your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
אֲשֶׁ֨רin thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/epexegetical particle unpacking v. 15's 'life and good'אֲשֶׁר (H834) here epexegetical, 'in that, namely'; introduces the content of the life and good just set before Israel.
אָנֹכִ֣יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject, resumed by the participleאָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs independent pronoun; used with the participle for emphasis.
מְצַוְּךָ֮commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, head of relative clause)→ Participle: durative/present — Moses' ongoing act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel factitive; frames Moses' words as commandment being delivered 'today'.
הַיּוֹם֒todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Moses' recurring temporal marker.
לְאַהֲבָ֞הto loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Purpose/epexegetical infinitive (first of a chain defining v. 15's 'good')→ Infinitive: epexegetical — first of four coordinate infinitives unpacking what the commandment requiresאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; covenantal love, first in the chain love–walk–keep that defines life.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the object of לְאַהֲבָה.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לְאַהֲבָה (via אֵת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the object of the commanded love.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
לָלֶ֣כֶתto walkprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinate purpose/epexegetical infinitive, second of the chain→ Infinitive: epexegetical — second element defining covenant faithfulnessהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; idiom 'walk in his ways' = live according to YHWH's character and commands.
בִּדְרָכָ֔יוin his waysprep בְּ + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of infinitive לָלֶכֶתדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, path'; figurative of conduct/character, plural 'his ways' = YHWH's manner of acting, to be imitated.
וְלִשְׁמֹ֛רand to keepconj + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Coordinate purpose/epexegetical infinitive, third of the chain→ Infinitive: epexegetical — third element, observance of the commandmentsשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; governs the triad מִצְוֹתָיו/חֻקֹּתָיו/מִשְׁפָּטָיו, the full technical vocabulary of covenant law.
מִצְוֺתָ֥יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לִשְׁמֹרמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; first of the legal-terminology triad.
וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יוand his statutesconj + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Coordinate direct object of לִשְׁמֹרחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute'; from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; second of the legal-terminology triad.
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יוand his judgmentsconj + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate direct object of לִשְׁמֹרמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; completes the triad of legal terminology with מִצְוָה and חֻקָּה.
וְחָיִ֣יתָand you will liveconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb, result clause→ Weqatal: consequential — life as the direct result of the love-walk-keep sequenceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the promised outcome, echoing v. 6's 'that you may live' and anticipating v. 19's climactic choice.
וְרָבִ֔יתָand you will multiplyconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb, coordinate result→ Weqatal: consequential — numerical increase paired with lifeרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, increase'; echoing v. 5's blessing exceeding the fathers'.
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙and he will bless youconj + Piel weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb, coordinate result, YHWH as new subject→ Weqatal: consequential — YHWH's blessing crowning Israel's obedient loveבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel; the positive covenant sanction of ch. 28, here promised as fruit of loving obedience.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּבֵרַכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the promised blessing.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title.
בָּאָ֕רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land of promise, object of the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject, resumed by the participle בָאאַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun, subject of the participial clause.
בָאare enteringQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle of relative clause (present/imminent)→ Participle: durative/imminent — the entry into the land as an event already underwayבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; participle describing Israel's imminent crossing into Canaan, in progress at the moment of speaking.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial resumption (locative), object of בָאשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional ־ָה, 'thither'; resumes the relative clause's goal.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause completing בָא...שָׁמָּה→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of entering the landיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ, the purpose of Israel's entry.
17
וְאִם יִפְנֶ֥ה לְבָבְךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁמָ֑ע וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ לֵאלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים וַעֲבַדְתָּֽם
But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, and you are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִםbut ifconj + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing antithetical protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; here introducing the dark counterpart to vv. 1-10's condition of return.
יִפְנֶ֥הturnsQal impf 3ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/future — the feared apostasy, hypothetical but realפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face'; here 'turn away', the dark mirror of the returning heart of vv. 1-10.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of יִפְנֶהלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart'; here the organ of apostasy, contrasting the circumcised heart of v. 6.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִשְׁמָעלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle.
תִשְׁמָ֑עyou listenQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, negated, coordinate→ Yiqtol: conditional — the failure of obedience feared throughout the chapterשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; negated here, the opposite of the obedience urged in vv. 2, 8, 10, 20.
וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗and you are drawn awayconj + Niphal weqatal 2ms · נָדַח (H5080)Predicate verb, coordinate result→ Weqatal: consequential — passive drift into apostasyנָדַח (H5080) 'to be banished, drawn/driven away'; Niphal passive, of being led astray into idolatry — the same root used of the exile itself in vv. 1, 4, now self-inflicted.
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָand you worshipconj + reflexive-intensive weqatal 2ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb, coordinate result→ Weqatal: consequential — the culminating act of apostasy, physical prostration before idolsשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; a distinct reflexive-intensive stem (traditionally Hishtaphel); the posture of worship, here directed at forbidden gods.
לֵאלֹהִ֥יםto godsprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition (goal of worship)אֱלֹהִים (H430) here plural and indefinite, 'gods'; the forbidden objects of worship, contrasted with the singular covenant God elsewhere in the chapter.
אֲחֵרִ֖יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; the standard Deuteronomic phrase 'other gods' denoting all rival deities.
וַעֲבַדְתָּֽםand serve themconj + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3mp suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, coordinate, closing the apostasy chain→ Weqatal: consequential — the final, settled state of service to false godsעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; of cultic servitude, the terminus of the chain turn–not-listen–be drawn away–worship–serve.
18
הִגַּ֤דְתִּי לָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵד֑וּן לֹא תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עַל הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹבֵר֙ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹ֥א שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days on the ground that you are crossing the Jordan to enter, to possess.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
הִגַּ֤דְתִּיI declareHiphil perf 1cs · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (main clause) — solemn pronouncement→ Perfective: performative — the act of declaring accomplished in the very speaking, a solemn legal pronouncementנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, declare'; Hiphil causative; a solemn, near-juridical declaration of consequence, paralleling הַעִידֹתִי of v. 19.
לָכֶם֙to youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (indirect object)לְ 'to, for'; indirect object of הִגַּדְתִּי, addressed to the assembled people.
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Moses' recurring temporal marker.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing content of הִגַּדְתִּיכִּי (H3588) here complementizer 'that', introducing the content of the declaration.
אָבֹ֖דutterlyQal inf abs · אָבַד (H6)Infinitive absolute intensifying תֹּאבֵדוּן→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — reinforces the certainty of the following finite verb, 'you shall SURELY perish'אָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; infinitive absolute + finite verb is the strongest Hebrew idiom for certainty.
תֹּאבֵד֑וּןyou will perishQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: emphatic future — certain, irrevocable judgmentאָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; paragogic ן lends solemn emphasis; the direct negative mirror of the life-promises surrounding it.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַאֲרִיכֻןלֹא (H3808), the ordinary Hebrew negative particle.
תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ןyou will prolongHiphil impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb, negated, coordinate→ Yiqtol: emphatic future, negated — the denial of long life in the landאָרַךְ (H748) 'to be long'; Hiphil causative 'prolong'; idiom 'prolong days' = live long, here denied — the antithesis of the 'length of days' promised in v. 20.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of תַאֲרִיכֻןיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural 'days', object of the idiom 'prolong days' = live long.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; marking the ground as the place of the (denied) long life.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; here the promised land as the place of dwelling and longevity.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
אַתָּ֤הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject, resumed by the participle עֹבֵראַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun, subject of the participial clause.
עֹבֵר֙are crossingQal ptc m sg abs · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle of relative clause (present/imminent)→ Participle: durative/imminent — the crossing already underwayעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; participle of Israel's imminent crossing of the Jordan.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as definite direct object.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of עֹבֵריַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'Jordan', from יָרַד 'to descend'; the river marking the threshold into the promised land.
לָבֹ֥אto enterprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the aim of crossing the Jordanבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; purpose of the crossing.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial resumption (locative), object of לָבֹאשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional ־ָה, 'thither'; resumes the relative clause's goal.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause completing עֹבֵר...לָבֹא שָׁמָּה→ Infinitive: purpose — the ultimate goal of entering the landיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; 3fs suffix referring to הָאֲדָמָה, the purpose of Israel's entry.
19
הַעִידֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֨וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּֽחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed,
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
הַעִידֹ֨תִיI call to witnessHiphil perf 1cs · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (main clause) — covenant-lawsuit summons→ Perfective: performative — the calling of witnesses accomplished in the speaking itselfעוּד (H5749) 'to testify, bear witness'; Hiphil causative 'cause to testify, call to witness'; invokes the ancient covenant-lawsuit convention of summoning cosmic witnesses (cf. 4:26; 31:28).
בָכֶ֣םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (adversative, 'against')בְּ here adversative, 'against you'; the witnesses are called to testify against Israel in case of future breach.
הַיּוֹם֮todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — the decisive day of covenant lawsuit and choice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַשָּׁמַיִם as the first definite direct object (first witness).
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Direct object of הַעִידֹתִי (first witness)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; summoned as an enduring cosmic witness, paired with 'earth' as a merism for the whole created order.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second witness)אֵת marks הָאָרֶץ as the second definite direct object.
הָאָרֶץ֒the earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object, second witnessאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with שָׁמַיִם forms the merism 'heaven and earth', standard witnesses invoked in ancient Near Eastern treaties.
הַחַיִּ֤יםlifeart + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Direct object of נָתַתִּי (first member of the pair)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life'; recapitulating v. 15's fourfold list in compressed twofold form.
וְהַמָּ֨וֶת֙and deathconj + art + N m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Direct object, second member of the pairמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; paired with חַיִּים as the fundamental alternative.
נָתַ֣תִּיI have setQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — Moses' setting-forth of the alternativesנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; echoing vv. 1, 15, presenting the choice in its final, most compressed form.
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ forms the idiom 'before, in the presence of'.
הַבְּרָכָ֖הthe blessingart + N f sg abs · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Appositional noun (epexegetical to הַחַיִּים...הַמָּוֶת)בְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing', from בָּרַךְ 'to bless'; recapitulating v. 1's pairing with קְלָלָה.
וְהַקְּלָלָ֑הand the curseconj + art + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Appositional noun, second member of the pairקְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse', from קָלַל 'to be light, curse'; paired with בְּרָכָה, forming an inclusio with v. 1.
וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙and you shall chooseconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (main clause) — the chapter's culminating command→ Weqatal: imperatival — functions as a command, 'you SHALL choose'; the decisive summons of the whole chapterבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; the pivotal verb of vv. 15-20, converting the preceding exposition into decision — Deuteronomy's central imperative.
בַּֽחַיִּ֔יםlifeprep בְּ + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Object of preposition בְּ (object of choosing)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life'; object of בָּחַר, 'choose life' — the chapter's, and arguably Deuteronomy's, central command.
לְמַ֥עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose/result conjunction introducing final clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, so that'; introduces the purpose of choosing life.
תִּחְיֶ֖הyou may liveQal impf 2ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb of purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the intended outcome of choosing lifeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the purpose of the choice, echoing vv. 6 and 16.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject, coordinate with וְזַרְעֶךָאַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun, emphatic, paired with 'your seed' as in v. 6.
וְזַרְעֶֽךָand your seedconj + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Coordinate subject with אַתָּהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; extending the choice's consequence to future generations, echoing v. 6.
20
לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ בְּקֹל֖וֹ וּלְדָבְקָה ב֑וֹ כִּ֣י ה֤וּא חַיֶּ֨יךָ֙ וְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמֶ֔יךָ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת עַל הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהוָ֧ה לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם
to love YHWH your God, to listen to his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life and the length of your days, to dwell on the ground that YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
לְאַֽהֲבָה֙to loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Purpose infinitive clause completing v. 19's choice→ Infinitive: purpose/epexegetical — unpacking what 'choosing life' entails, first of a chainאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; the first and foundational element of the closing triad love–listen–cling.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the object of לְאַהֲבָה.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לְאַהֲבָה (via אֵת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the object of the concluding threefold summons.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant relational title, in its final occurrence in the chapter.
לִשְׁמֹ֥עַto listenprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Coordinate purpose infinitive, second of the chain→ Infinitive: purpose/epexegetical — second elementשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; its final occurrence, closing the obedience theme of the whole chapter.
בְּקֹל֖וֹto his voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of לִשְׁמֹעַ (idiomatic 'listen to voice')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; idiom 'obey the voice of YHWH', its final occurrence in the chapter.
וּלְדָבְקָהand to clingconj + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · דָּבַק (H1692)Coordinate purpose infinitive, third and climactic element of the chain→ Infinitive: purpose/epexegetical — the culminating, most intimate term, escalating beyond love and obedienceדָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, cleave, stick to'; used elsewhere of marital union (Gen 2:24); here the most intimate covenantal term, denoting inseparable attachment to YHWH.
ב֑וֹto himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּObject of infinitive וּלְדָבְקָהבְּ 'in, to'; with דָּבַק, 'cling to him' — YHWH as the object of ultimate attachment.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction grounding the summons to love/listen/clingכִּי (H3588) causal, 'for'; grounds the whole exhortation in YHWH's identity as Israel's life.
ה֤וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copula of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, emphatic copula 'he (is)'; identifies YHWH himself, not merely his gifts, as Israel's life.
חַיֶּ֨יךָ֙your lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַיִּים (H2416)Predicate of nominal clause with הוּאחַיִּים (H2416) 'life'; predicated of YHWH himself — the chapter's final and most radical statement of its key term: YHWH IS life, not merely its giver.
וְאֹ֣רֶךְand the length ofconj + N m sg constr · אֹרֶךְ (H753)Coordinate predicate nounאֹרֶךְ (H753) 'length'; construct with יָמֶיךָ, 'length of your days' = longevity.
יָמֶ֔יךָyour daysN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of אֹרֶךְיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural 'days', with אֹרֶךְ forming the idiom for long life — the positive counterpart to v. 18's denied longevity.
לָשֶׁ֣בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the practical outcome of clinging to YHWH: settled possession of the landיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; the settled life in the land as fruit of covenant loyalty.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; marking the ground as the place of settled dwelling.
הָאֲדָמָ֗הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the promised land, object of the closing relative clause.
אֲשֶׁר֩thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing final relative clause of the chapterאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
נִשְׁבַּ֨עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH's ancient oath, the ultimate ground of the land-promiseשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; Niphal (passive in form but active in sense, 'swear an oath'), related to שֶׁבַע 'seven'; of YHWH's unbreakable oath to the patriarchs.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, in its final occurrence in the chapter; subject of the patriarchal oath.
לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'fathers', specified by the three names that follow.
לְאַבְרָהָ֛םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Appositional specification of לַאֲבֹתֶיךָאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; first patriarch, recipient of the original land-oath (Gen 15:18).
לְיִצְחָ֥קto Isaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Coordinate appositional specificationיִצְחָק (H3327) 'Isaac'; second patriarch, heir of the promise.
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖בand to Jacobconj + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Coordinate appositional specification, closing the patriarchal triadיַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob'; third patriarch, renamed Israel, closing the triad that frames the whole book's land-promise.
לָתֵ֥תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitive clause completing נִשְׁבַּע→ Infinitive: purpose — the content of the oath, YHWH's commitment to give the landנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the oath's content, echoing the chapter's opening and closing use of this verb (vv. 1, 15, 19) — the land as gift, not merely conquest.
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object of לָתֵת (referring to the patriarchs)לְ 'to, for'; with 3mp suffix, referring to the patriarchs — the land-promise given to them and their descendants, closing the chapter.