Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 4דברים 4

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Moses' climactic exhortation before the law-code: because Israel heard only a voice at Horeb, no image may represent God; because no nation has ever heard God speak and lived, or been chosen by such signs, 'YHWH, he is God; there is no other' — a jealous yet compassionate God who disciplines through exile but never forgets his covenant oath.

Translation & textual notes

Deuteronomy 4 is textually stable in the MT, with the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Qumran Deuteronomy fragments confirming its wording in all essentials; the Old Greek generally renders it closely, though it smooths some repetitive vocabulary (e.g., varying renderings of חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים) and occasionally clarifies obscure phrases. A few recurring cruxes: v. 19's celestial 'host of heaven' allotted to the nations has provoked extensive discussion — does YHWH sanction, merely permit, or simply describe astral cults elsewhere? The shift to Moses' first-person exclusion (vv. 21-22) alongside the third-person narrative appendix (vv. 41-49) signals at least two compositional layers, long recognized in critical scholarship; the appendix (cities of refuge, superscription) reads as an editorial seam introducing the legal code that follows. The creedal formulas of vv. 35, 39 (אֵין עוֹד) are original and unemended; some LXX witnesses add minor clarifying pronouns. Verse 41's shift to 'Moses' in the third person, after the first-person address dominating vv. 1-40, is the chapter's clearest formal seam. No substantive variant affects the chapter's theology; the text is remarkably well preserved across all witnesses.

1

וְעַתָּ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁמַ֤ע אֶל הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְלַמֵּ֥ד אֶתְכֶ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֗וּ וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם

And now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live, and go in and possess the land that YHWH, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

Transitional/hortatory openingוְ ("and now")
וְעַתָּה is Deuteronomy's programmatic pivot marker, turning from the narrated history of chs. 1–3 to direct exhortation; the imperative שְׁמַע opens the paranetic core of the book.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְעַתָּ֣הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker (transitional pivot, opening the exhortation)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; וְ + עַתָּה is Deuteronomy's signature pivot marker, turning from narrated history (chs. 1–3) to covenant exhortation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative (direct address)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), covenant name for Jacob's descendants; Moses addresses the nation directly as audience of the whole exhortation.
שְׁמַ֤עlistenQal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, imperatival)→ Volitional: an urgent, foundational command to heedשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; root of the שְׁמַע (Shema) — hearing meant to issue in obedient action.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (marks object of hearing)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the content Israel is to heed.
הַֽחֻקִּים֙the statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Object of the preposition אֶלחֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree', from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; paired with מִשְׁפָּטִים as the chapter's drumbeat pair for Torah's stipulations (cf. vv. 5, 8, 14, 40).
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating prepositional phrase (second object of hearing)Conjunction joins the second object clause introduced by אֶל.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםthe judgmentsart + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Object of the preposition וְאֶלמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; case-law rulings, twinned with חֻקִּים throughout the chapter.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable Hebrew relative particle 'who, which, that'; scaffold mistags relatives as nouns — reclassified here as a particle (x).
אָֽנֹכִ֛יIindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumed by participle מְלַמֵּד)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun; Moses foregrounds himself as the human teacher of divine law.
מְלַמֵּ֥דam teachingPiel ptc ms · לִמַּד (H3925)Predicate participle (present-progressive main verb)→ Participle: durative/present — Moses' ongoing pedagogical actלִמַּד (H3925), Piel 'to teach'; Moses as the continuing intermediary who instructs Israel in YHWH's law.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מְלַמֵּדאֵת (H853) with pronominal suffix marks 'you (pl)' as the direct object of the teaching; untranslated apart from the pronoun.
לַעֲשׂ֑וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive clause of purpose/result→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended outcome of the teachingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the infinitive of purpose shows the statutes exist to be DONE, not merely known.
לְמַ֣עַןso thatconj/prep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the purpose of obedience — covenant life.
תִּֽחְי֗וּyou may liveQal impf 2mp · חָיָה (H2421)Verb of the לְמַעַן purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — the life promised as the outcome of obedienceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; covenant life in the land made contingent on keeping Torah.
וּבָאתֶם֙and you shall enterconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Weqatal continuing the sequence (entry into the land)→ Weqatal: consequential/future-sequential — the next link after obedienceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; entrance into Canaan as the sequel to Torah-keeping.
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣םand you shall possessconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/future-sequentialיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; taking the land as both gift and task.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as definite direct object; untranslated.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וִירִשְׁתֶּםאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the specific promised land, Canaan.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle, introducing the land's giver, YHWH.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), Israel's covenant/personal divine name, traditionally read 'Adonai'.
אֱלֹהֵ֥יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (apposition to יְהוָה)אֱלֹהִים (H430) construct 'God of'; plural of majesty functioning as singular, in apposition with יְהוָה.
אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖םyour fathersN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement completing the construct chain אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶםאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'fathers/ancestors' — the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the original covenant partners.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present/imminent)→ Participle: present-progressive — the land-gift as YHWH's ongoing, imminent actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle casts the land-gift as an act already underway, not merely a past promise.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object (recipient of the gift)לְ preposition + 2mp suffix marks Israel as recipient of the land YHWH gives.
2

לֹ֣א תֹסִ֗פוּ עַל הַדָּבָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָנֹכִי֙ מְצַוֶּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תִגְרְע֖וּ מִמֶּ֑נּוּ לִשְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת מִצְוֺת֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶֽם

You shall not add to the word that I am commanding you, and you shall not take away from it, so as to keep the commandments of YHWH your God that I am commanding you.

Prohibition specifying the preceding command (asyndeton)asyndeton
The addition/subtraction prohibition (בַּל תֹּסֵף / בַּל תִּגְרַע) safeguards the fixed textual and legal integrity of Torah — a canon-formula echoed in 13:1 and Rev 22:18–19.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb תֹסִיפוּלֹא (H3808), the standard Hebrew negative particle; scaffold mistags it as noun — reclassified as particle (x).
תֹסִ֗פוּyou shall addHiphil impf 2mp · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (prohibitive/main clause)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): a durative, standing prohibition against additionיָסַף (H3254), Hiphil 'to add, do again'; paired with תִגְרְעוּ ('subtract') to forbid tampering with the given law in either direction.
עַלtoprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (object of addition)עַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; marks what is not to be added to — הַדָּבָר.
הַדָּבָר֙the wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of the preposition עַלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; here the whole body of covenant instruction just delivered.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַדָּבָר)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
אָנֹכִי֙Iindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (resumed by participle מְצַוֶּה)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs pronoun, Moses as speaker.
מְצַוֶּ֣הam commandingPiel ptc ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, relative clause verb)→ Participle: present — the command as an ongoing, currently-binding actצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the participle marks the commanding as a present, still-binding act of Moses relaying YHWH's word.
אֶתְכֶ֔ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מְצַוֶּהאֵת (H853) with suffix marks 'you (pl)' as object of the commanding.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb תִגְרְעוּלֹא (H3808) negated by conjunction; parallels the initial prohibition, forming an add/subtract merism for 'leave the law untouched'.
תִגְרְע֖וּyou shall diminishQal impf 2mp · גָּרַע (H1639)Predicate verb (prohibitive/main clause)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): a standing prohibition against subtractionגָּרַע (H1639) 'to diminish, subtract, withhold'; forms the addition/subtraction merism protecting the integrity of the given Torah.
מִמֶּ֑נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 1cp/3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source of subtraction)מִן (H4480) 'from'; refers back to הַדָּבָר, 'the word' just given.
לִשְׁמֹ֗רso as to keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Infinitive clause of purpose (goal of the prohibition)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of not adding/subtracting is faithful KEEPINGשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the positive goal underlying the negative prohibitions — vigilant covenant fidelity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking מִצְוֺת יְהוָה as definite object of לִשְׁמֹר; untranslated.
מִצְוֺת֙the commandments ofN f pl constr · מִצְוָה (H4687)Object of לִשְׁמֹר (construct chain)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from צִוָּה; construct governing יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of מִצְוֺת (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the commandments' ultimate source and owner.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה, completing the construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix 'your God'; the covenant relation made explicit — YHWH is Israel's own God.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying מִצְוֺת יְהוָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֖יIindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (resumed by participle מְצַוֶּה)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs pronoun.
מְצַוֶּ֥הam commandingPiel ptc ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive, relative clause verb)→ Participle: present — repeated for emphasis, framing the verseצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; repetition of the verb from v. 2's opening frames the verse as an inclusio.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מְצַוֶּהאֵת (H853) with suffix marks 'you (pl)' as object, closing the inclusio with v. 2's opening command.
3

עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ הָֽרֹאֹ֔ת אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה בְּבַ֣עַל פְּע֑וֹר כִּ֣י כָל הָאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָלַךְ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י בַֽעַל פְּע֔וֹר הִשְׁמִיד֛וֹ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ

Your eyes have seen what YHWH did at Baal-peor: for every man who went after Baal-peor, YHWH your God destroyed him from your midst.

Motive/example clause (Baal-peor precedent, asyndeton)asyndeton
Baal-peor (Num 25) becomes the paradigmatic object-lesson for the eyewitness generation: apostasy met swift judgment, grounding the exhortation to exclusive loyalty that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙your eyesN c dual constr + 2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of הָרֹאֹתעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form 'eyes'; the eyewitness motif is central to Deuteronomy's pedagogy of memory (cf. v. 9).
הָֽרֹאֹ֔תhave seenart + Qal ptc fp · רָאָה (H7200)Substantival participle, predicate function ('your eyes are the ones that saw')→ Participle: perfective-resultative — a completed act of witnessing with ongoing relevanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; article + participle functions almost predicatively: 'your eyes are the seeing ones' = 'your eyes have seen'.
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking the object clause introduced by אֲשֶׁר; untranslated.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/object clause marker ('what YHWH did')אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle, here functioning as 'what'.
עָשָׂ֥הdidQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; YHWH's decisive judgment-act at Baal-peor (Num 25).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the Baal-peor judgment.
בְּבַ֣עַלat Baal-prep בְּ + N proper · בַּעַל פְּעוֹר (H1187)Locative prepositional phrase (first half of place-name)בַּעַל (H1187), lit. 'lord, master, husband'; first element of the place/deity name Baal-Peor, the Moabite god of Peor (Num 25:3).
פְּע֑וֹרPeorN proper · פְּעוֹר (H1187)Second element of the place-name בַּעַל פְּעוֹרפְּעוֹר (H1187), the mountain/site in Moab where Israel yoked itself to the local Baal (Num 25:1–3); paradigm case of covenant apostasy.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/explanatory conjunction introducing the example clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because, that'; explanatory here, unpacking what YHWH did at Peor.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָאִישׁ ('every man')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct usage distributive, 'every man / anyone'.
הָאִ֗ישׁmanart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Absolute noun completing the construct chain כָּל הָאִישׁאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with כֹּל, 'every man / anyone'.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאִישׁ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
הָלַךְ֙wentQal perf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of apostate followingהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; idiomatic 'went after' = gave allegiance to, worshipped.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (object of allegiance)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; 'to go after' a deity is the standard Hebrew idiom for worship/allegiance.
בַֽעַלBaal-N proper · בַּעַל פְּעוֹר (H1187)First element of the place/deity name (object of אַחֲרֵי)בַּעַל (H1187), repeated as object of 'went after' — the local Baal deity of Peor.
פְּע֔וֹרPeorN proper · פְּעוֹר (H1187)Second element of the nameפְּעוֹר (H1187), completing the deity/place name.
הִשְׁמִיד֛וֹdestroyed himHiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · שָׁמַד (H8045)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of judgmentשָׁמַד (H8045), Hiphil 'to destroy, exterminate'; YHWH's judgment on every Baal-Peor worshipper — the sober warning behind the exhortation.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִשְׁמִידוֹיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of judgment.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix; even in judgment, YHWH remains 'your God' — the covenant relation persists.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of the purge)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the judgment purged apostates from WITHIN the covenant community itself.
4

וְאַתֶּם֙ הַדְּבֵקִ֔ים בַּיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם חַיִּ֥ים כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם

But you who held fast to YHWH your God are all alive today.

Contrastive counterpoint to the Baal-peor judgmentוְ (adversative "but")
The וְ here is adversative: it contrasts the fate of the apostates (v. 3, destroyed) with the life of the loyal (v. 4, all alive today) — a vivid, present-tense proof of Torah's life-giving power.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאַתֶּם֙but youconj וְ + indep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (adversative, resuming from v. 3)אַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'; the וְ is adversative, contrasting the loyal survivors with the destroyed apostates of v. 3.
הַדְּבֵקִ֔יםthe ones who clingart + Adj m pl abs · דָּבֵק (H1695)Predicate adjective/substantival (with וְאַתֶּם: 'you who cling/held fast')דָּבֵק (H1695), adjective 'clinging, cleaving', from דָּבַק 'to cling, cleave'; the covenant-loyalty term of the chapter, echoed in the exhortation to cling to YHWH alone (cf. 10:20; 11:22).
בַּיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep בְּ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the adjective of clinging (דָּבֵק + בְּ)יְהוָה (H3068); דָּבַק construes with בְּ, 'cling TO' — YHWH as the exclusive object of covenant loyalty.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix; reinforces the covenant bond just proven by survival.
חַיִּ֥יםaliveAdj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjective (main clause: 'you are alive')חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; the visible, present-tense proof of Torah's life-giving power (cf. v. 1's תִּחְיוּ).
כֻּלְּכֶ֖םall of youN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Apposition emphasizing totality ('every one of you')כֹּל (H3605) + 2mp suffix, 'all of you'; emphasizes that EVERY loyal Israelite survived, none excepted.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, 'today' — Deuteronomy's characteristic rhetoric of the present, ever-renewed moment of decision.
5

רְאֵ֣ה לִמַּ֣דְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֗ם חֻקִּים֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוַּ֖נִי יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת כֵּ֔ן בְּקֶ֣רֶב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם בָּאִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ

See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as YHWH my God commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land that you are entering to possess.

Resumptive restatement (echoing v. 1's charge)asyndeton
רְאֵה ('see/behold') restates Moses' teaching role from v. 1, now framed as fully accomplished (perfect לִמַּדְתִּי), preparing the ground for the wisdom-before-the-nations claim of v. 6.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
רְאֵ֣הseeQal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Discourse-marking imperative (attention-getter, main clause)→ Volitional: calls attention to what followsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; a rhetorical 'behold' here, punctuating the discourse and echoing v. 3's eyewitness theme.
לִמַּ֣דְתִּיI have taughtPiel perf 1cs · לִמַּד (H3925)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, now fully accomplishedלִמַּד (H3925), Piel 'to teach'; the perfect tense marks Moses' teaching task as DONE — the whole preceding revelation stands delivered.
אֶתְכֶ֗ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לִמַּדְתִּיאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the teaching.
חֻקִּים֙statutesN m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Direct object (second object of לִמַּדְתִּי, in apposition)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree'; here without article, the CONTENT of the teaching, repeating v. 1's pair.
וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֔יםand judgmentsconj וְ + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; paired again with חֻקִּים, Deuteronomy's drumbeat terms for the whole body of law.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause markerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as, according as'; introduces Moses' fidelity to his divine commission.
צִוַּ֖נִיhe commanded mePiel perf 3ms + 1cs suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act — the original Horeb commissionצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; Moses' teaching in v. 5 mirrors exactly what YHWH commanded him — no independent authority, only faithful transmission.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוַּנִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; source of the commission Moses transmits.
אֱלֹהָ֑יmy GodN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 1cs suffix; Moses' own personal covenant relation to YHWH underlies his authority to teach.
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive clause of purpose/result (goal of the teaching)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — DOING, not mere knowledge, is again the aimעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; repeats v. 1's emphasis — statutes exist to be enacted.
כֵּ֔ןthusadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of לַעֲשׂוֹת ('to do SO')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; refers back to the manner of the statutes just taught — do them exactly so.
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; construct governing הָאָרֶץ, 'within the land'.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement completing the construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, the arena in which Torah is to be lived out.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אַתֶּ֛םyouindep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the participle בָּאִיםאַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)', resuming the subject for the participial clause.
בָּאִ֥יםare enteringQal ptc mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (present-progressive)→ Participle: present-progressive — the entry as an imminent, ongoing processבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the participle casts the land-entry as already underway from the narrative's vantage on the plains of Moab.
שָׁ֖מָּהthere(ward)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of motion)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + directional ה, 'thither'; marks the land as destination of the entry.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive clause of purpose (goal of entering)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of the entryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; the 3fs suffix refers back to אֶרֶץ, 'to possess IT [the land]'.
6

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֒ כִּ֣י הִ֤וא חָכְמַתְכֶם֙ וּבִ֣ינַתְכֶ֔ם לְעֵינֵ֖י הָעַמִּ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֚ת כָּל הַחֻקִּ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְאָמְר֗וּ רַ֚ק עַם חָכָ֣ם וְנָב֔וֹן הַגּ֥וֹי הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּֽה

So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'

Consequence/purpose (result of vv. 1–5's teaching)וְ
The chapter's key theological claim: Torah-observance is Israel's WISDOM before the watching nations — not a burden but the very thing that provokes international admiration (embodied narratively in the Solomon–Sheba episode, 1 Kgs 10).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal, main command resuming the imperative force of v. 1→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — carries the force of a commandשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; weqatal continues the imperatival chain from שְׁמַע (v. 1).
וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֒and do themconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the command→ Weqatal: consequential/imperativalעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; paired with שָׁמַר — keep AND do, hearing married to action.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the motive: Torah-obedience IS Israel's wisdom.
הִ֤ואthatindep pers pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of the nominal clause ('that is your wisdom')הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun, referring collectively to keeping-and-doing the statutes as a feminine antecedent; functions as copula 'is'.
חָכְמַתְכֶם֙your wisdomN f sg constr + 2mp suffix · חָכְמָה (H2451)Predicate noun (nominal clause)חָכְמָה (H2451) 'wisdom'; the chapter's programmatic claim — Torah-keeping IS wisdom, not merely wisdom's fruit.
וּבִ֣ינַתְכֶ֔םand your understandingconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2mp suffix · בִּינָה (H998)Coordinate predicate nounבִּינָה (H998) 'understanding, discernment'; paired with חָכְמָה as a standard Hebrew wisdom word-pair.
לְעֵינֵ֖יin the eyes ofprep לְ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative/perspectival prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) dual construct 'eyes of'; 'in the sight of' — the international, watching-audience motif.
הָעַמִּ֑יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of לְעֵינֵיעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; plural, the surrounding Gentile nations who will observe Israel's Torah-shaped life.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יִשְׁמְע֗וּןwill hearQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future/durative — the nations' anticipated responseשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the paragogic נ lends emphasis/solemnity to the nations' hearing of Israel's statutes.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה as object of יִשְׁמְעוּן; untranslated.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַחֻקִּיםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all of'.
הַחֻקִּ֣יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Absolute noun completing the כָּל constructחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; now with article, referring back to the specific body just taught.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative modifier of הַחֻקִּיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the statutes just delivered in this speech.
וְאָמְר֗וּand will sayconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal continuing the nations' response→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the nations' verdictאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces direct speech, the nations' admiring verdict on Israel.
רַ֚קsurelyrestrictive/emphatic particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive/emphatic particle introducing the direct quotationרַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; emphatic here, 'surely/indeed this...'.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun (nominal clause, nations' speech)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; predicate of the nations' exclamation.
חָכָ֣םwiseAdj m sg abs · חָכָם (H2450)Attributive adjective modifying עַםחָכָם (H2450) 'wise'; the nations' verdict echoes v. 6's חָכְמָה.
וְנָב֔וֹןand understandingconj וְ + Niphal ptc ms · בִּין (H995)Coordinate attributive participle modifying עַם→ Participle: stative/attributive — a settled characteristic, not an eventבִּין (H995), Niphal ptc 'understanding, discerning'; echoes בִּינָה of v. 6, the nations recognizing Israel's discernment.
הַגּ֥וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Subject of the nominal clause, in apposition to עַם חָכָם וְנָבוֹןגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; restates עַם with the more political/international term, fitting the nations' own speech.
הַגָּד֖וֹלgreatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַגּוֹיגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; Israel's greatness reframed here as WISDOM-greatness, not merely size or power.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַגּוֹיזֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the nations' exclamation, pointing at Israel as spectacle.
7

כִּ֚י מִי ג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁר ל֥וֹ אֱלֹהִ֖ים קְרֹבִ֣ים אֵלָ֑יו כַּיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ בְּכָּל קָרְאֵ֖נוּ אֵלָֽיו

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as YHWH our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

Rhetorical question grounding the wisdom-claim of v. 6כִּי
The first of two rhetorical 'what great nation' questions (vv. 7–8); YHWH's nearness in prayer substantiates the nations' 'wise and understanding' verdict — Israel's distinctive glory is relational access to God, not ritual or magic.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounding the nations' verdict of v. 6כִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the rhetorical-question proof of Israel's wisdom-claim.
מִיwhatinterrogative particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative opening the rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who, what'; rhetorical, expecting the answer 'none' — no nation compares to Israel's God-nearness.
ג֣וֹיnationN m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate noun of the interrogative clauseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the rhetorical question's subject-noun.
גָּד֔וֹלgreatAdj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; picks up the greatness theme from v. 6.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying גּוֹי גָּדוֹל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
ל֥וֹhasprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate of the possession clause (dative-of-possession)לְ + 3ms suffix, the standard Hebrew idiom of possession, 'to it [belongs]' = 'it has'.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםa godN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of the possession clause (ל + אֱלֹהִים)אֱלֹהִים (H430); here 'a god' (any deity), the general term used before the pointed identification with יהוה that follows.
קְרֹבִ֣יםnearAdj m pl abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; plural agreeing with the plural-form אֱלֹהִים; YHWH's covenantal NEARNESS contrasts with the distant, silent gods of the nations.
אֵלָ֑יוto itprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase completing קְרֹבִים ('near TO it')אֶל (H413) + suffix, referring back to גּוֹי, 'the nation' — nearness from the nation's side.
כַּיהוָ֣הas YHWHprep כְּ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Comparative prepositional phrase (standard of comparison)יְהוָה (H3068); the comparison clinches the rhetorical question — no god is near like YHWH is near.
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 1cp suffix; Israel now speaks in its OWN voice ('our God'), no longer just reporting the nations' words.
בְּכָּלwheneverprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct chain, 'in all our calling')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with the infinitive קָרְאֵנוּ, 'in all our calling' = 'whenever we call'.
קָרְאֵ֖נוּwe callQal inf constr + 1cp suffix · קָרָא (H7121)Infinitive construct completing the temporal phrase כְּכָל→ Infinitive construct: durative/repeated action — every time we callקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, cry out'; the infinitive names the act of prayer/invocation, to which YHWH is uniquely near and responsive.
אֵלָֽיוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of קָרְאֵנוּ ('call TO him')אֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, referring to יְהוָה, the one Israel calls upon.
8

וּמִי֙ גּ֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁר ל֛וֹ חֻקִּ֥ים וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖ים צַדִּיקִ֑ם כְּכֹל֙ הַתּוֹרָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם

And what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law that I am setting before you today?

Second rhetorical question, parallel to v. 7וְ
The parallel question shifts focus from divine NEARNESS (v. 7) to the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the law itself (v. 8) — together the two questions ground Israel's 'wisdom' claim in both relationship and revelation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּמִי֙and whatconj וְ + interrogative particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative opening the second rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who, what', joined by וְ to the first question (v. 7), forming a matched pair.
גּ֣וֹיnationN m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate noun of the interrogative clauseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'.
גָּד֔וֹלgreatAdj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying גּוֹי גָּדוֹל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
ל֛וֹhasprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate of the possession clauseלְ + 3ms suffix, dative-of-possession idiom, 'it has'.
חֻקִּ֥יםstatutesN m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Subject of the possession clauseחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; the drumbeat term again.
וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖יםand judgmentsconj וְ + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate subjectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; paired with חֻקִּים.
צַדִּיקִ֑םrighteousAdj m pl abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Predicate adjective modifying חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִיםצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; the chapter's famous claim — Torah's stipulations are themselves morally righteous, not arbitrary.
כְּכֹל֙asprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הַתּוֹרָה, 'as all/the whole of this law'.
הַתּוֹרָ֣הthe lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complement completing the construct chainתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law', from יָרָה 'to teach, direct'; its first occurrence in this speech, summing up all just-mentioned statutes/judgments as one body: 'Torah'.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifier of הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs, agreeing with תּוֹרָה); points to the very body of teaching Moses is delivering.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֛יIindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (resumed by participle נֹתֵן)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs pronoun.
נֹתֵ֥ןam settingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present-progressive)→ Participle: present — the giving of the law as a currently-occurring actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; the participle frames Torah-giving as happening NOW, in this very speech.
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (object of נֹתֵן)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי idiomatically 'before, in front of' — Torah set directly before Israel's eyes, not hidden.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'today' — Deuteronomy's rhetoric of the ever-present moment of decision.
9

רַ֡ק הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֩ וּשְׁמֹ֨ר נַפְשְׁךָ֜ מְאֹ֗ד פֶּן תִּשְׁכַּ֨ח אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֜ים אֲשֶׁר רָא֣וּ עֵינֶ֗יךָ וּפֶן יָס֨וּרוּ֙ מִלְּבָ֣בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּ֑יךָ וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֥ם לְבָנֶ֖יךָ וְלִבְנֵ֥י בָנֶֽיךָ

Only take heed to yourself, and guard your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; and you shall make them known to your children and your children's children.

Emphatic warning, pivoting to the eyewitness-pedagogy themeרַק
רַק ('only, but take care') pivots from the wisdom-before-the-nations motif to the danger of forgetting; 'your eyes have seen' anchors Horeb as living memory to be actively taught (וְהוֹדַעְתָּם) across generations — the chapter's pedagogy-of-memory program.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
רַ֡קonlyrestrictive/emphatic particle · רַק (H7535)Emphatic particle opening the warningרַק (H7535) 'only, but'; introduces an urgent qualifying warning.
הִשָּׁ֣מֶרtake heedNiphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, imperatival)→ Volitional: an urgent reflexive command — guard yourselfשָׁמַר (H8104), Niphal (reflexive) 'to guard oneself, take heed'; opens the great warning against forgetting.
לְךָ֩yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְReflexive/ethical dative completing הִשָּׁמֶרלְ + 2ms suffix reinforces the reflexive sense of הִשָּׁמֶר, 'watch yourself carefully'.
וּשְׁמֹ֨רand guardconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: reinforcing commandשָׁמַר (H8104) Qal 'to guard, keep'; repeated for emphasis alongside the reflexive הִשָּׁמֶר.
נַפְשְׁךָ֜your soulN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of וּשְׁמֹרנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; the whole inner person, object of the vigilance command.
מְאֹ֗דdiligentlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of שְׁמֹרמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the urgency of the self-watch command.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose clause markerפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the feared outcome — forgetting.
תִּשְׁכַּ֨חyou forgetQal impf 2ms · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb of the פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the danger the warning guards againstשָׁכַח (H7911) 'to forget'; the chapter's central danger-word, opposite of the remembering the exhortation demands.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַדְּבָרִים as object of תִּשְׁכַּח; untranslated.
הַדְּבָרִ֜יםthe thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of תִּשְׁכַּחדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here the Horeb events about to be described.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַדְּבָרִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
רָא֣וּhave seenQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the eyewitness motif again (cf. v. 3), anchoring the following Horeb narrative in firsthand experience.
עֵינֶ֗יךָyour eyesN c dual constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of רָאוּעַיִן (H5869) dual 'eyes'; the eyewitness generation is the guarantor of the tradition's truth.
וּפֶןand lestconj וְ + conj · פֶּן (H6435)Coordinate negative purpose clause markerפֶּן (H6435) 'lest', repeated for the second feared outcome — the memory fading from the heart.
יָס֨וּרוּ֙they departQal impf 3mp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb of the second פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared futureסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; the danger of the Horeb memory slipping away from conscious reflection.
מִלְּבָ֣בְךָ֔from your heartprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source of departure)לֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of memory and reflection in Hebrew anthropology.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all the days'.
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain continuing כֹּליוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural construct, 'days of'.
חַיֶּ֑יךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive complement completing the phrase כָּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָחַיִּים (H2416) 'life' (plural form); 'all the days of your life' — the lifelong scope of the remembering task.
וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֥םand make them knownconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 2ms + 3mp suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Weqatal, main command (positive counterpart to the warnings)→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — the positive transmission-dutyיָדַע (H3045), Hiphil 'to cause to know, make known'; the active-transmission counterpart to not-forgetting — memory must be TAUGHT, not just kept.
לְבָנֶ֖יךָto your childrenprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of וְהוֹדַעְתָּםבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural, 'sons/children' — the first generation of transmission.
וְלִבְנֵ֥יand to the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate indirect object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) construct, 'sons of'; introduces the SECOND generation of transmission — grandchildren.
בָנֶֽיךָyour childrenN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) + suffix, 'your sons' = grandchildren; the multi-generational scope of covenant memory-transmission.
10

י֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָמַ֜דְתָּ לִפְנֵ֨י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮ בְּחֹרֵב֒ בֶּאֱמֹ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י הַקְהֶל לִי֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם וְאַשְׁמִעֵ֖ם אֶת דְּבָרָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִלְמְד֜וּן לְיִרְאָ֣ה אֹתִ֗י כָּל הַיָּמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵ֤ם חַיִּים֙ עַל הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וְאֶת בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם יְלַמֵּדֽוּן

The day that you stood before YHWH your God at Horeb, when YHWH said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and may teach their children.'

Appositional flashback, launching the Horeb narrativeasyndeton
This verse names the specific 'day' referred to in v. 9 — the Horeb theophany (Exod 19–20) — and states its purpose as pedagogical: hearing God's words is meant to produce יִרְאָה (fear/reverence) transmitted across generations, framing the chapter's whole memory-program.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
י֗וֹםthe dayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun in apposition to הַדְּבָרִים (v. 9), specifying the remembered eventיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; without article yet definite by context — THE day of Horeb.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying יוֹם)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
עָמַ֜דְתָּyou stoodQal perf 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, memorable act of standingעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; Israel's posture at Horeb — standing before YHWH in covenant assembly.
לִפְנֵ֨יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי idiomatic 'before, in the presence of'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, reaffirming the covenant relation at the very site it was forged.
בְּחֹרֵב֒at Horebprep בְּ + N proper · חֹרֵב (H2722)Locative prepositional phraseחֹרֵב (H2722), Deuteronomy's preferred name for Sinai; the mountain of covenant-making, named here for the first extended flashback.
בֶּאֱמֹ֨רwhen he saidprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'at/when YHWH's saying'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; בְּ + infinitive construct is the standard Hebrew temporal clause, 'when YHWH said'.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the infinitive בֶּאֱמֹריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; speaker of the quoted command that follows.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, recipient of YHWH's speechאֶל (H413) + 1cs suffix, referring to Moses as recipient of the divine word.
הַקְהֶלgatherHiphil impv 2ms · קָהַל (H6950)Predicate verb (direct quotation, imperatival)→ Volitional: YHWH's command to convene Israelקָהַל (H6950), Hiphil 'to assemble, convene'; source of קָהָל, 'assembly/congregation' — Israel constituted as covenant community at this moment.
לִי֙to meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְIndirect object of הַקְהֶללְ + 1cs suffix, referring to YHWH — 'gather the people TO ME'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הָעָם as object of הַקְהֶל; untranslated.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of הַקְהֶלעַם (H5971) 'people'; Israel as a corporate body summoned before YHWH.
וְאַשְׁמִעֵ֖םthat I may let them hearconj וְ + Hiphil impf (purposive) 1cs + 3mp suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Purpose clause verb (continuing YHWH's speech)→ Yiqtol/purposive: YHWH's stated intent in assembling Israelשָׁמַע (H8085), Hiphil 'to cause to hear, proclaim'; YHWH himself as the direct source of the words Israel will hear at Horeb.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking דְּבָרָי as object of וְאַשְׁמִעֵם; untranslated.
דְּבָרָ֑יmy wordsN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְאַשְׁמִעֵםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; plural + 1cs suffix, YHWH's own words — anticipating the Decalogue (v. 13).
אֲשֶׁ֨רso thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Purpose/result clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), here with purpose/result force, 'so that'.
יִלְמְד֜וּןthey may learnQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · לָמַד (H3925)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the intended outcome of hearing YHWH's wordsלָמַד (H3925) 'to learn'; the Horeb hearing-event's goal was pedagogical, producing lasting fear of YHWH.
לְיִרְאָ֣הto fearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרֵא (H3372)Infinitive clause completing יִלְמְדוּן ('learn to fear')→ Infinitive construct: the content/goal of the learningיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; יִרְאַת יְהוָה, reverent awe, is Torah's intended fruit — cf. Deut 10:12.
אֹתִ֗י[obj] meobj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְיִרְאָהאֵת (H853) + 1cs suffix marks 'me' [YHWH] as object of the fearing.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַיָּמִיםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all the days'.
הַיָּמִים֙the daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Absolute noun completing the כָּל constructיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural with article, the lifelong duration of reverent fear.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַיָּמִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
הֵ֤םtheyindep pers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the nominal clause with predicate adjective חַיִּיםהֵם (H1992) 3mp pronoun, resuming the subject of the relative clause.
חַיִּים֙are livingAdj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjective (nominal clause: 'they are alive')חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; life on the land as the setting for the reverent-fear program.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe landart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement of עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land, soil'; here the inhabited earth generally, the land of life.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּנֵיהֶם as a second object of the teaching, coordinated with the preceding clause.
בְּנֵיהֶ֖םtheir childrenN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יְלַמֵּדוּןבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the multi-generational transmission mandate embedded already at Horeb itself.
יְלַמֵּדֽוּןthey shall teachPiel impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · לִמַּד (H3925)Predicate verb continuing the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive/consequential — the parents' own transmission-dutyלִמַּד (H3925), Piel 'to teach'; the generation that learned at Horeb is charged in turn to teach — closing the loop begun in v. 9's וְהוֹדַעְתָּם.
11

וַתִּקְרְב֥וּן וַתַּֽעַמְד֖וּן תַּ֣חַת הָהָ֑ר וְהָהָ֞ר בֹּעֵ֤ר בָּאֵשׁ֙ עַד לֵ֣ב הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם חֹ֖שֶׁךְ עָנָ֥ן וַעֲרָפֶֽל

And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the very heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.

Narrative continuation of the Horeb scene (wayyiqtol chain)וְ
The theophany's sensory intensity — fire reaching the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and thick darkness — sets up v. 12's crucial point: sound without visible form.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתִּקְרְב֥וּןand you came nearconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp (paragogic nun) · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַב (H7126) 'to come near, approach'; Israel's approach to the mountain, resuming the narrative flashback.
וַתַּֽעַמְד֖וּןand you stoodconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp (paragogic nun) · עָמַד (H5975)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; echoes v. 10's עָמַדְתָּ, Israel's covenant-assembly posture.
תַּ֣חַתat the foot ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; idiomatic 'at the foot of' the mountain.
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement of תַּחַתהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb/Sinai, the site of the theophany.
וְהָהָ֞רand the mountainconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of the new clause (בֹּעֵר)הַר (H2022) 'mountain', resumed as subject of the burning-description.
בֹּעֵ֤רwas burningQal ptc ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate participle (circumstantial, describing the mountain)→ Participle: durative/circumstantial — the ongoing blaze witnessedבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; describes the visible fire of the theophany (cf. Exod 19:18).
בָּאֵשׁ֙with fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental/locative prepositional phraseאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the visible medium of YHWH's presence at Horeb, a recurring motif in this chapter (vv. 12, 15, 33, 36).
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (extent)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the extreme extent of the fire's reach.
לֵ֣בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵב (H3820)Construct governing הַשָּׁמַיִםלֵב (H3820) 'heart'; figuratively 'midst, center' — the fire reached the very zenith of the sky.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement completing the construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; hyperbolic imagery for the theophany's overwhelming, cosmic scale.
חֹ֖שֶׁךְdarknessN m sg abs · חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822)Noun in apposition, describing accompanying conditionsחֹשֶׁךְ (H2822) 'darkness'; one of a triad (with עָנָן, עֲרָפֶל) of terms for the theophany's obscuring cloud-cover.
עָנָ֥ןcloudN m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Coordinate noun (apposition)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; the visible cloud enveloping the mountain (Exod 19:16).
וַעֲרָפֶֽלand thick darknessconj וְ + N m sg abs · עֲרָפֶל (H6205)Coordinate noun completing the triadעֲרָפֶל (H6205) 'thick darkness, gloom'; completes the triad emphasizing that YHWH's form was hidden — setting up v. 12's 'voice but no form'.
12

וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ ק֤וֹל דְּבָרִים֙ אַתֶּ֣ם שֹׁמְעִ֔ים וּתְמוּנָ֛ה אֵינְכֶ֥ם רֹאִ֖ים זוּלָתִ֥י קֽוֹל

And YHWH spoke to you out of the midst of the fire: you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form — only a voice.

Narrative climax: the content of the theophany (sound without sight)וְ
The key verse for the chapter's aniconic argument: Israel encountered a voice (קוֹל), not a תְּמוּנָה (visible form) — the theological basis for the image-prohibition catalogue that follows in vv. 15–19.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֧רand he spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the central speech-act of the theophanyדָּבַר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; the narrative's central verb — YHWH's direct speech to the assembled nation.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the speaker at Horeb.
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, recipient of the speechאֶל (H413) + 2mp suffix; Israel corporately as direct addressee of the divine word.
מִתּ֣וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source of the voice)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; the fire itself was the locus from which the voice issued — no separate visible form.
הָאֵ֑שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the visible medium, but never itself equated with YHWH's form.
ק֤וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of שֹׁמְעִים (construct chain)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the chapter's key auditory term, contrasted with the absent תְּמוּנָה 'form'.
דְּבָרִים֙wordsN m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement completing the construct chainדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; plural, 'a sound of words' — articulate, intelligible speech, not mere noise.
אַתֶּ֣םyouindep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the participial clause שֹׁמְעִיםאַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'; emphatic resumption for the participial predicate.
שֹׁמְעִ֔יםwere hearingQal ptc mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate participle (durative: 'you were hearing')→ Participle: durative — the ongoing experience of audition at the theophanyשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the positive counterpart to the following negated רֹאִים — hearing without seeing.
וּתְמוּנָ֛הbut a formconj וְ + N f sg abs · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Fronted direct object of רֹאִים (adversative/contrastive fronting)תְּמוּנָה (H8544) 'form, shape, image'; the chapter's KEY theological term — Israel saw no visible form of God, grounding the whole prohibition of images (vv. 15–19).
אֵינְכֶ֥םyou were notnegative existential particle + 2mp suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negates the participle רֹאִים (nominal negation)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; + suffix negates the participial clause, 'you were NOT seeing'.
רֹאִ֖יםseeingQal ptc mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate participle negated by אֵינְכֶם→ Participle: durative, negated — the absence of any visual perception of formרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; negated here — the theological crux: NO form was seen, only heard.
זוּלָתִ֥יexceptprep/particle · זוּלָתִי (H2108)Restrictive/exceptive particle qualifying the whole clauseזוּלָתִי (H2108) 'except, besides'; restricts the theophany's perceptible content to sound alone.
קֽוֹלa voiceN m sg abs · קוֹל (H6963)Object of the exceptive particle זוּלָתִיקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the verse's final, climactic word — sound ALONE, no visible form, was Israel's Horeb experience.
13

וַיַּגֵּ֨ד לָכֶ֜ם אֶת בְּרִית֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה אֶתְכֶם֙ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת עֲשֶׂ֖רֶת הַדְּבָרִ֑ים וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֔ם עַל שְׁנֵ֖י לֻח֥וֹת אֲבָנִֽים

And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform — the ten words — and he wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Narrative continuation: the covenant document itselfוְ
Identifies the content of the Horeb voice specifically as the Decalogue (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, lit. 'the ten words'), inscribed on stone tablets — the first fixed, written form of covenant law, distinguished from the fuller חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים Moses will teach (v. 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּגֵּ֨דand he declaredconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046), Hiphil 'to declare, tell'; YHWH's proclamation of covenant terms.
לָכֶ֜םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object of וַיַּגֵּדלְ + 2mp suffix, Israel as recipient of the covenant declaration.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking בְּרִיתוֹ as object of וַיַּגֵּד; untranslated.
בְּרִית֗וֹhis covenantN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וַיַּגֵּדבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; YHWH's Horeb declaration IS covenant-making — the Decalogue as covenant document.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בְּרִיתוֹ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
צִוָּ֤הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative actצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the covenant carries binding, commanded force.
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the commanding.
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive clause of purpose/content→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of the command is enactmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; again the DOING-not-just-knowing emphasis.
עֲשֶׂ֖רֶתthe tennumeral m sg constr · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Construct governing הַדְּבָרִים, in apposition to בְּרִיתוֹעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; construct, 'the ten of' — introducing the Decalogue's traditional Hebrew name.
הַדְּבָרִ֑יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement completing the construct phrase עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִיםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, 'the Ten Words' — the Hebrew name behind 'Decalogue', emphasizing these as spoken words, not abstract laws.
וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֔םand he wrote themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · כָּתַב (H3789)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — fixing the spoken words in permanent written formכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; YHWH himself as the writer — the Decalogue's unique status as directly divine-inscribed text.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
שְׁנֵ֖יthe twonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct governing לֻחוֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct, 'two of' — the paired tablets, likely duplicate covenant copies per ANE treaty convention.
לֻח֥וֹתtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive complement continuing the construct chainלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; construct, 'tablets of'.
אֲבָנִֽיםstoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive complement completing the construct chain שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת אֲבָנִיםאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; plural, material of permanence and durability befitting covenant law.
14

וְאֹתִ֞י צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְלַמֵּ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֔ם חֻקִּ֖ים וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֑ים לַעֲשֹׂתְכֶ֣ם אֹתָ֔ם בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ

And me, YHWH commanded at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might do them in the land that you are crossing over to possess.

Distinguishes Moses' mediated teaching from YHWH's direct Decalogue-speech (v. 13)וְ
A key structural distinction: the Decalogue was spoken directly by YHWH and written by his own hand (v. 13), while the broader body of חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים was entrusted to Moses to teach — the twofold channel of Torah transmission.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאֹתִ֞יand meconj וְ + obj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Fronted direct object of צִוָּה (emphatic)אֵת (H853) + 1cs suffix, fronted for emphasis — 'and ME, [as for me,] YHWH commanded'; contrasts Moses' role with the direct divine speech of v. 13.
צִוָּ֤הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative commissioning actצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; YHWH's commissioning of Moses as teacher of the fuller law.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phraseעֵת (H6256) 'time'; with article, 'at THAT time' — situating Moses' commissioning at Horeb itself.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of בָּעֵתהִיא (H1931) used demonstratively 'that' (fs, agreeing with עֵת); anchors the commissioning to the Horeb theophany just narrated.
לְלַמֵּ֣דto teachprep לְ + Piel inf constr · לִמַּד (H3925)Infinitive clause of purpose/content (goal of the commissioning)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — Moses' commissioned taskלִמַּד (H3925), Piel 'to teach'; Moses' distinctive charge — to teach statutes and judgments (contrast YHWH's direct Decalogue-speech, v. 13).
אֶתְכֶ֔ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְלַמֵּדאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the teaching.
חֻקִּ֖יםstatutesN m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Second direct object of לְלַמֵּדחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; the drumbeat term, distinct in category from the divinely-spoken Decalogue.
וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֑יםand judgmentsconj וְ + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; paired with חֻקִּים.
לַעֲשֹׂתְכֶ֣םthat you should doprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive clause of purpose (goal of the teaching)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — DOING as the aim, with explicit subject suffixעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; with 2mp suffix functioning as subject of the infinitive — 'so that YOU might do them'.
אֹתָ֔ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לַעֲשֹׂתְכֶםאֵת (H853) + suffix, referring to the statutes and judgments as object of the doing.
בָּאָ֕רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the arena of obedience — the promised land, not the wilderness.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בָּאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אַתֶּ֛םyouindep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the participle עֹבְרִיםאַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'.
עֹבְרִ֥יםare crossing overQal ptc mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle (present-progressive)→ Participle: present-progressive — the crossing as imminent/underwayעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; standard Deuteronomic term for the Jordan-crossing into the land.
שָׁ֖מָּהthere(ward)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of motion)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + directional ה, 'thither'.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive clause of purpose (goal of crossing)→ Infinitive construct: purposeיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; 3fs suffix referring to אֶרֶץ, 'to possess IT'.
15

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם מְאֹ֖ד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י לֹ֤א רְאִיתֶם֙ כָּל תְּמוּנָ֔ה בְּי֗וֹם דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם בְּחֹרֵ֖ב מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ

Therefore watch yourselves very carefully — since you saw no form on the day YHWH spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire —

Application: the warning against images, grounded in the no-form fact of v. 12וְ
The pivot to the great image-prohibition catalogue (vv. 16–19): the argument is drawn directly from v. 12's fact — since Israel saw NO FORM, any image they might make would necessarily misrepresent the true, formless encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥םso watch yourselvesconj וְ + Niphal perf (weqatal) 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal, main command (application clause)→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — the practical upshot of the no-form theophanyשָׁמַר (H8104), Niphal (reflexive) 'to watch oneself'; echoes v. 9's הִשָּׁמֶר, now applied specifically to the image-danger.
מְאֹ֖דvery carefullyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of נִשְׁמַרְתֶּםמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the urgency, as in v. 9.
לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑םyourselvesprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2mp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Reflexive complement of נִשְׁמַרְתֶּםנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self'; plural + suffix, reinforcing the reflexive 'watch YOURSELVES'.
כִּ֣יsinceconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the grounding clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the warning in the historical fact of v. 12.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb רְאִיתֶםלֹא (H3808), the standard Hebrew negative particle.
רְאִיתֶם֙you sawQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the definitive, historical non-seeing of any formרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; negated, restating v. 12's central claim as the premise for the coming prohibition.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing תְּמוּנָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; with negation, 'no ... at all'.
תְּמוּנָ֔הformN f sg abs · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Direct object of רְאִיתֶם (construct chain with כָּל)תְּמוּנָה (H8544) 'form, shape'; repeats the chapter's key term (cf. v. 12) as the express ground for the prohibition to follow.
בְּי֗וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct, 'on the day of' — introducing the Horeb theophany date-clause.
דִּבֶּ֨רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed actדָּבַר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; recalls v. 12's central verb.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֲלֵיכֶ֛םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, recipient of the speechאֶל (H413) + 2mp suffix.
בְּחֹרֵ֖בat Horebprep בְּ + N proper · חֹרֵב (H2722)Locative prepositional phraseחֹרֵב (H2722), the covenant mountain, named again as the theophany's location.
מִתּ֥וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source of the speech)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; repeats v. 12's phrase.
הָאֵֽשׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the same theophanic medium as v. 12, reasserting: sound and fire, but NO form.
16

פֶּ֨ן תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם לָכֶ֛ם פֶּ֖סֶל תְּמוּנַ֣ת כָּל סָ֑מֶל תַּבְנִ֥ית זָכָ֖ר א֥וֹ נְקֵבָֽה

lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure — the likeness of male or female,

First item in the image-prohibition catalogue: anthropomorphic imagesפֶּן
Opens the great catalogue of vv. 16–19 (human, beast, bird, creeper, fish, heavenly bodies) — a comprehensive taxonomy of everything Israel must NOT image, precisely because none of it was what they saw at Horeb.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
פֶּ֨ןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose clause marker, continuing v. 15's warningפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the feared outcome — corrupt image-making.
תַּשְׁחִת֔וּןyou act corruptlyHiphil impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb of the פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the danger the warning guards againstשָׁחַת (H7843), Hiphil 'to corrupt, ruin, act corruptly'; frames image-making itself as moral corruption, not merely a ritual error.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥םand makeconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the feared/prohibited action→ Weqatal: consequential — specifying the corrupt actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; here the forbidden act of image-fabrication.
לָכֶ֛םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of interest/benefit completing וַעֲשִׂיתֶםלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for yourselves' — the self-serving impulse behind idol-making.
פֶּ֖סֶלa carved imageN m sg abs · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםפֶּסֶל (H6459) 'carved/graven image', from פָּסַל 'to hew, carve'; the chapter's central forbidden object — cf. the Second Commandment (5:8).
תְּמוּנַ֣תthe form ofN f sg constr · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Genitive complement of פֶּסֶל, appositional/epexegeticalתְּמוּנָה (H8544) construct 'form of'; the very term Israel did NOT see (v. 12) — any תְּמוּנָה fabricated now is necessarily false to the actual encounter.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing סָמֶלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
סָ֑מֶלfigureN m sg abs · סֶמֶל (H5566)Genitive complement completing the construct chain תְּמוּנַת כָּל סָמֶלסֶמֶל (H5566) 'image, figure, likeness'; a rare synonym reinforcing תְּמוּנָה, piling up vocabulary against any representational image.
תַּבְנִ֥יתthe likeness ofN f sg constr · תַּבְנִית (H8403)Construct noun in apposition, specifying the figure's typeתַּבְנִית (H8403) 'pattern, likeness, model', from בָּנָה 'to build'; introduces the first specific category — human form.
זָכָ֖רmaleAdj/N m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive complement completing the construct chain תַּבְנִית זָכָרזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; first half of the male/female merism for humanity — no human image of any kind is permitted.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the second half of the merism.
נְקֵבָֽהfemaleN f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Coordinate genitive complementנְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; completes the male/female merism — humanity in its entirety is off-limits as a divine image (cf. Gen 1:27, humanity itself already IS the divine image).
17

תַּבְנִ֕ית כָּל בְּהֵמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּאָ֑רֶץ תַּבְנִית֙ כָּל צִפּ֣וֹר כָּנָ֔ף אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּע֖וּף בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם

the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens,

Second and third items in the image-prohibition catalogue: land animals and birdsasyndeton
Continues the systematic taxonomy by cosmic zone — earth-dwelling beast, then sky-flying bird — echoing the creation order of Genesis 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
תַּבְנִ֕יתthe likeness ofN f sg constr · תַּבְנִית (H8403)Construct noun opening the second catalogue itemתַּבְנִית (H8403) 'pattern, likeness'; repeated to introduce the animal category.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing בְּהֵמָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
בְּהֵמָ֖הanimalN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive complement completing the construct chainבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal, cattle'; land animals generally.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בְּהֵמָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
בָּאָ֑רֶץis on the earthprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the terrestrial zone, matched with שָׁמַיִם 'heavens' below for birds.
תַּבְנִית֙the likeness ofN f sg constr · תַּבְנִית (H8403)Construct noun opening the third catalogue itemתַּבְנִית (H8403) 'pattern, likeness'; repeated again for the bird category.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing צִפּוֹרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
צִפּ֣וֹרbird ofN c sg constr · צִפּוֹר (H6833)Construct governing כָּנָףצִפּוֹר (H6833) 'bird'; construct, 'bird of'.
כָּנָ֔ףwingN f sg abs · כָּנָף (H3671)Genitive complement completing the phrase צִפּוֹר כָּנָף, 'winged bird'כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing'; צִפּוֹר כָּנָף idiomatic for 'winged bird/fowl' generally.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying צִפּוֹר כָּנָף)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
תָּע֖וּףfliesQal impf 3fs · עוּף (H5774)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — characteristic bird behaviorעוּף (H5774) 'to fly'; describes the bird's characteristic habitat/activity.
בַּשָּׁמָֽיִםin the heavensprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Locative prepositional phraseשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the aerial zone, completing the earth/sky pairing.
18

תַּבְנִ֕ית כָּל רֹמֵ֖שׂ בָּאֲדָמָ֑ה תַּבְנִ֛ית כָּל דָּגָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר בַּמַּ֖יִם מִתַּ֥חַת לָאָֽרֶץ

the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth —

Fourth and fifth items: creeping things and fishasyndeton
Completes the fourfold cosmic taxonomy (land beast, sky bird, ground-creeper, water fish) begun in vv. 17–18 — an exhaustive sweep of every representable creature, all equally forbidden as divine images (cf. Exod 20:4's threefold heaven/earth/water summary).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
תַּבְנִ֕יתthe likeness ofN f sg constr · תַּבְנִית (H8403)Construct noun opening the fourth catalogue itemתַּבְנִית (H8403) 'pattern, likeness'; repeated for the creeping-things category.
כָּלanythingN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing רֹמֵשׂכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
רֹמֵ֖שׂthat creepsQal ptc ms · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Substantival participle, genitive complement of כָּל ('anything creeping')→ Participle: durative/characteristic — habitual creeping motionרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, crawl'; source of רֶמֶשׂ 'creeping things', the fourth creature-category after Gen 1's pattern.
בָּאֲדָמָ֑הon the groundprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Locative prepositional phraseאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the terrestrial surface where creeping things move.
תַּבְנִ֛יתthe likeness ofN f sg constr · תַּבְנִית (H8403)Construct noun opening the fifth catalogue itemתַּבְנִית (H8403) 'pattern, likeness'; repeated a final time for the fish category.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing דָּגָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
דָּגָ֥הfishN f sg abs (collective) · דָּגָה (H1710)Genitive complement completing the construct chainדָּגָה (H1710) 'fish' (collective); completes the fourfold creature catalogue — the aquatic zone.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying דָּגָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
בַּמַּ֖יִםis in the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the aquatic habitat of the דָּגָה.
מִתַּ֥חַתunderprep מִן + prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phrase, further specifying בַּמַּיִםתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; compounded with מִן for emphasis — waters beneath the earth's surface.
לָאָֽרֶץthe earthprep לְ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of מִתַּחַתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; completes the ANE three-tiered cosmology (heaven, earth, waters under the earth) as the map of everything NOT to be imaged (cf. Exod 20:4).
19

וּפֶן תִּשָּׂ֨א עֵינֶ֜יךָ הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וְֽ֠רָאִיתָ אֶת הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ וְאֶת הַיָּרֵ֜חַ וְאֶת הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים כֹּ֚ל צְבָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ לָהֶ֖ם וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר חָלַ֜ק יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֹתָ֔ם לְכֹל֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים תַּ֖חַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם

And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be led astray to bow down to them and serve them — things that YHWH your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.

Sixth catalogue item: heavenly bodies, with an added warning against astral worshipוּפֶן
The climactic sixth category — sun, moon, stars — receives unique treatment: not just an image-prohibition but an explicit warning against worshipping the heavenly bodies themselves, with the striking aside that YHWH allotted these to ALL PEOPLES (their worship, though wrong for Israel, is the common lot of the nations).
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וּפֶןand lestconj וְ + conj · פֶּן (H6435)Coordinate negative purpose clause marker, continuing the catalogueפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the sixth and final catalogue item, now the heavenly bodies.
תִּשָּׂ֨אyou lift upQal impf 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb of the פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared futureנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; idiom נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם 'to lift up the eyes' = to look with desire/attention.
עֵינֶ֜יךָyour eyesN c dual constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of תִּשָּׂאעַיִן (H5869) dual 'eyes'; the same organ that saw NO form at Horeb (v. 12) must not now be lifted in adoration of the sky.
הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָהto the heavensart + N m pl abs + directional ה · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Locative/directional adverbial (goal of gazing)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens' + directional ה, 'heavenward'; the object of the forbidden gaze.
וְֽ֠רָאִיתָand seeconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Weqatal continuing the feared sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the next step after lookingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the fatal progression from LOOKING to SEEING-as-object-of-devotion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ as object of וְרָאִיתָ; untranslated.
הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁthe sunart + N c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Direct object of וְרָאִיתָשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; the most prominent astral deity of the ANE pantheon (cf. Shamash), explicitly demythologized here as YHWH's creature.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַיָּרֵחַ as a coordinate object.
הַיָּרֵ֜חַthe moonart + N m sg abs · יָרֵחַ (H3394)Coordinate direct object of וְרָאִיתָיָרֵחַ (H3394) 'moon'; second major ANE astral deity (cf. Sin/Yarikh), likewise demythologized.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַכּוֹכָבִים as the final coordinate object.
הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗יםthe starsart + N m pl abs · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Coordinate direct object of וְרָאִיתָכּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; completes the sun-moon-stars triad, the full astral pantheon of surrounding religions.
כֹּ֚לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם, in apposition to the preceding triadכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; summarizing apposition.
צְבָ֣אthe host ofN c sg constr · צָבָא (H6635)Construct governing הַשָּׁמַיִםצָבָא (H6635) 'host, army'; צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם 'host of heaven', a summary term for all celestial bodies collectively, later condemned as an object of illicit worship (2 Kgs 17:16; 21:3).
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement completing the construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; completes 'host of heaven'.
וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛and be led astrayconj וְ + Niphal perf (weqatal) 2ms · נָדַח (H5080)Weqatal continuing the feared sequence (passive)→ Weqatal: consequential (passive) — being drawn away, not merely choosingנָדַח (H5080), Niphal (passive) 'to be driven away, seduced, led astray'; casts astral worship as a seduction Israel could be swept into, not just a willful choice.
וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָand bow downconj וְ + Hishtaphel perf (weqatal) 2ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the outward act of worshipשָׁחָה (H7812), Hishtaphel 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; the standard verb for worship, here directed (wrongly) at astral bodies.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase, object of the bowingלְ + 3mp suffix, referring to the sun, moon, and stars.
וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑םand serve themconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms + 3mp suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the culminating act of servitude/worshipעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the final term in the escalating sequence look→see→be-drawn→bow→serve.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying the heavenly bodies)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
חָלַ֜קallottedQal perf 3ms · חָלַק (H2505)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, sovereign act of divine orderingחָלַק (H2505) 'to divide, apportion, allot'; a striking aside — YHWH himself assigned the heavenly bodies to the nations, implying their worship (though wrong) falls under divine providence, unlike Israel's exclusive relation to YHWH.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of חָלַקיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; sovereign allotter of the cosmos to the nations.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix; even here, YHWH is named as ISRAEL's own God, distinct from the nations' astral deities.
אֹתָ֔ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of חָלַקאֵת (H853) + suffix, referring to the sun, moon, and stars as the allotted objects.
לְכֹל֙to allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Indirect object of חָלַקכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'to all of'.
הָֽעַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement completing the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; the Gentile nations, in contrast to Israel's unique covenant relation.
תַּ֖חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'.
כָּלthe wholeN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַשָּׁמָיִםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'the whole of'.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִםthe heavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement completing the construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; universal scope — under the entire sky, every nation has its astral cult, but Israel alone received YHWH's direct Horeb revelation.
20

וְאֶתְכֶם֙ לָקַ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה וַיּוֹצִ֥א אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִכּ֥וּר הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם לִהְי֥וֹת ל֛וֹ לְעַ֥ם נַחֲלָ֖ה כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

But YHWH has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of inheritance to him, as it is this day.

Contrastive return to Israel's election-history (contrast with the nations' astral allotment, v. 19)וְ
Sharp contrast with v. 19: the nations were merely 'allotted' their astral gods, but Israel was personally TAKEN and RESCUED by YHWH — the iron furnace (כּוּר הַבַּרְזֶל) imagery casts Egypt as a smelting furnace from which Israel emerged as YHWH's own refined possession.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאֶתְכֶם֙but youconj וְ + obj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Fronted direct object of לָקַח (emphatic/contrastive)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, fronted for emphasis — 'but YOU, [in contrast to the nations,] YHWH took'.
לָקַ֣חtookQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of electionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; YHWH's electing act, contrasted with the nations' mere astral allotment (v. 19).
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of לָקַחיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
וַיּוֹצִ֥אand brought outconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318), Hiphil 'to bring out'; the standard Exodus-deliverance verb.
אֶתְכֶ֛ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיּוֹצִאאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the deliverance.
מִכּ֥וּרfrom the furnace ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · כּוּר (H3564)Locative prepositional phrase (source of deliverance)כּוּר (H3564) 'furnace, smelting pot'; construct, 'furnace of' — a vivid metallurgical metaphor for Egyptian bondage.
הַבַּרְזֶ֖לthe ironart + N m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive complement completing the construct phrase כּוּר הַבַּרְזֶלבַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; כּוּר הַבַּרְזֶל, 'the iron furnace' — a fixed idiom for Egypt's oppressive, refining bondage (cf. 1 Kgs 8:51; Jer 11:4).
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase, in apposition to מִכּוּר הַבַּרְזֶלמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; identifies the 'iron furnace' concretely as the place of bondage.
לִהְי֥וֹתto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive clause of purpose (goal of the deliverance)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended outcome of the Exodusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the purpose-infinitive naming Israel's new identity as the goal of deliverance.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְIndirect object completing לִהְיוֹת ('to be TO him')לְ + 3ms suffix, referring to YHWH — Israel becomes HIS possession.
לְעַ֥םa people ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement of לִהְיוֹתעַם (H5971) 'people'; construct, 'a people of' — introducing Israel's new corporate identity.
נַחֲלָ֖הinheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Genitive complement completing the phrase עַם נַחֲלָהנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; עַם נַחֲלָה, 'a people of inheritance/treasured possession' — Israel as YHWH's own special property (cf. Exod 19:5).
כַּיּ֥וֹםas it isprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative adverbial phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'as [it is] this day' — the covenant relationship affirmed as presently, currently true.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of כַּיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; anchors the covenant relationship to the present moment of address.
21

וַֽיהוָ֥ה הִתְאַנֶּף בִּ֖י עַל דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע לְבִלְתִּ֤י עָבְרִי֙ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וּלְבִלְתִּי בֹא֙ אֶל הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָֽה

But YHWH was angry with me on your account, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan and that I should not enter the good land that YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Moses' personal exclusion recalled a second time (cf. 1:37; 3:26–27) as a warning-exampleוְ
Moses reintroduces his own exclusion from the land — already narrated in chs. 1 and 3 — precisely at the pivot before the exile warning (vv. 25–31): if even Moses bears consequences for the people's provocation, Israel should heed the coming warning all the more.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַֽיהוָ֥הand YHWHconj וְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִתְאַנֶּףיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the anger that follows.
הִתְאַנֶּףwas angryHitpael perf 3ms · אָנַף (H599)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, historical act of divine displeasureאָנַף (H599), Hitpael (reflexive/intensive) 'to be angry'; describes YHWH's anger at Moses on account of Israel's provocation (cf. Num 20:12; Deut 1:37; 3:26).
בִּ֖יwith meprep בְּ + 1cs suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase, object of divine angerבְּ + 1cs suffix, 'with/against me' — Moses as the target of YHWH's displeasure.
עַלon account ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of'; introduces the cause of the anger.
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑םyour wordsN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of עַלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; here 'your matter/affair' — Israel's provocations at Meribah and elsewhere (Num 20:1–13), for which Moses bore the consequence.
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗עand he sworeconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a solemn, binding oathשָׁבַע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear'; YHWH's oath of exclusion against Moses is irrevocable, unlike conditional threats.
לְבִלְתִּ֤יthat notprep לְ + negative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose/result clause markerבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, except'; introduces the content of the oath — negative and absolute.
עָבְרִי֙I would crossQal inf constr + 1cs suffix · עָבַר (H5674)Infinitive clause completing לְבִלְתִּי (content of the oath)→ Infinitive construct: negated purpose/result — the barred actionעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; with 1cs suffix as subject, 'that I would cross' — negated by בִּלְתִּי.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as object of עָבְרִי; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of עָבְרִייַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River; the boundary Moses is forbidden to cross.
וּלְבִלְתִּיand that notconj וְ + prep לְ + negative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Coordinate negative purpose/result clause markerבִּלְתִּי (H1115) repeated, introducing the second, parallel barred action — entering the land.
בֹא֙I would enterQal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive clause completing וּלְבִלְתִּי→ Infinitive construct: negated purpose/resultבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the second barred action, paired with crossing.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of בֹא)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; the destination Moses may not reach.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, denied to Moses personally though given to the people.
הַטּוֹבָ֔הthe goodart + Adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying הָאָרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; standard Deuteronomic epithet for the promised land (cf. 1:25, 35; 6:18; 8:7–10).
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix; the covenant epithet, now addressed to the PEOPLE, not Moses.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present/imminent)→ Participle: present-progressive — the land-gift as an ongoing, imminent divine actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land-gift continues even though Moses himself is excluded — the promise transcends any one leader.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ + 2ms suffix, addressed to Israel (singular, collective) as recipient.
נַחֲלָֽהas an inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative (predicate complement of נֹתֵן)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the land itself, like the people (v. 20), is called נַחֲלָה — a matched pair of divine gifts.
22

כִּ֣י אָנֹכִ֥י מֵת֙ בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את אֵינֶ֥נִּי עֹבֵ֖ר אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְאַתֶּם֙ עֹֽבְרִ֔ים וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֕ם אֶת הָאָ֥רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת

For I am going to die in this land; I shall not cross the Jordan, but you shall cross over and possess that good land.

Explanatory continuation of Moses' exclusion, contrasted with Israel's entryכִּי
The stark I/you contrast (אָנֹכִי מֵת ... וְאַתֶּם עֹבְרִים) dramatizes Moses' vicarious exclusion — he will die on this side of the Jordan while the next generation crosses over, reinforcing the urgency of his final teaching.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/explanatory conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; explains/continues v. 21's account of Moses' exclusion.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, contrastive with וְאַתֶּם)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic pronoun; sets up the sharp I/you contrast with v. 22b.
מֵת֙am to dieQal ptc ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate participle (imminent future)→ Participle: imminent/prospective — Moses' impending death, not yet accomplishedמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the participle signals Moses' approaching death as a settled, near-future certainty.
בָּאָ֣רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here the Transjordan territory where Moses will die, distinct from the promised land proper.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifier of בָּאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; points to the Transjordan location of the present speech.
אֵינֶ֥נִּיI shall notnegative existential particle + 1cs suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negates the participle עֹבֵר (nominal negation)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not' + 1cs suffix, negating the participial clause — 'I am NOT [going to be] crossing'.
עֹבֵ֖רcrossingQal ptc ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle negated by אֵינֶנִּי→ Participle: prospective, negated — the barred future actעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; negated, restating v. 21's oath in Moses' own first-person voice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as object of עֹבֵר; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of עֹבֵריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
וְאַתֶּם֙but youconj וְ + indep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (adversative/contrastive with אָנֹכִי)אַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'; the וְ is adversative, sharpening the I/you contrast.
עֹֽבְרִ֔יםare crossing overQal ptc mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle (imminent/prospective)→ Participle: imminent — Israel's crossing, unlike Moses', WILL happenעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; unlike Moses' negated form, here affirmed — Israel's entry is certain.
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֕םand you shall possessconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/future-sequentialיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; the promised sequel to crossing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הָאָרֶץ as object of וִירִשְׁתֶּם; untranslated.
הָאָ֥רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וִירִשְׁתֶּםאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the actual promised land, west of the Jordan — contrasted with v. 22a's Transjordan 'this land'.
הַטּוֹבָ֖הthe goodart + Adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying הָאָרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; repeated epithet, as in v. 21.
הַזֹּֽאתthatart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifier of הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this/that'; points across the Jordan to the land Israel will soon possess.
23

הִשָּׁמְר֣וּ לָכֶ֗ם פֶּֽן תִּשְׁכְּחוּ֙ אֶת בְּרִ֤ית יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖ת עִמָּכֶ֑ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם לָכֶ֥ם פֶּ֨סֶל֙ תְּמ֣וּנַת כֹּ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ

Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of YHWH your God that he made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything that YHWH your God has forbidden you.

Renewed warning against covenant-forgetting and image-making, summarizing vv. 9, 15–19asyndeton
A compact recapitulation drawing together the chapter's two great warnings — forgetting the covenant (v. 9) and making images (vv. 15–19) — as the transition into the theological rationale of vv. 24 (consuming fire) and 25–31 (exile prophecy).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
הִשָּׁמְר֣וּtake heedNiphal impv 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, imperatival)→ Volitional: an urgent reflexive commandשָׁמַר (H8104), Niphal (reflexive) 'to guard oneself'; echoes vv. 9, 15, renewing the vigilance command in plural form for the whole community.
לָכֶ֗םyourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְReflexive complement of הִשָּׁמְרוּלְ + 2mp suffix, reinforcing the reflexive command.
פֶּֽןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose clause markerפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the feared outcome — forgetting the covenant.
תִּשְׁכְּחוּ֙you forgetQal impf 2mp · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb of the פֶּן clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared futureשָׁכַח (H7911) 'to forget'; the chapter's central danger-word (cf. v. 9), now directed at the covenant itself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking בְּרִית יְהוָה as object of תִּשְׁכְּחוּ; untranslated.
בְּרִ֤יתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of תִּשְׁכְּחוּ (construct chain)בְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; recalls v. 13's Horeb covenant, now the object of the forgetting-danger.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of בְּרִיתיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'; the covenant epithet.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בְּרִית יְהוָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
כָּרַ֖תhe madeQal perf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, historical covenant-making actכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; כָּרַת בְּרִית, 'to cut a covenant' — the idiom recalling ANE covenant-ratification rites.
עִמָּכֶ֑םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, co-party of the covenantעִם (H5973) 'with'; identifies Israel as YHWH's covenant partner.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨םand makeconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the feared/prohibited action→ Weqatal: consequential — the second, coordinate dangerעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; the forbidden act of image-fabrication, resuming v. 16's warning.
לָכֶ֥םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of interest/benefit completing וַעֲשִׂיתֶםלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for yourselves'.
פֶּ֨סֶל֙a carved imageN m sg abs · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםפֶּסֶל (H6459) 'carved/graven image'; repeats v. 16's forbidden object.
תְּמ֣וּנַתthe form ofN f sg constr · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Genitive complement of פֶּסֶלתְּמוּנָה (H8544) construct 'form of'; the chapter's key term, again.
כֹּ֔לanythingN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive complement completing the construct chain תְּמוּנַת כֹּלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, anything'; here summarizing the whole catalogue of vv. 16–19 in one word.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying כֹּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
צִוְּךָ֖has forbidden youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative prohibitionצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; with negative sense implied by context — YHWH's command AGAINST image-making, referring back to vv. 15–19.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוְּךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix; closes the verse with the same covenant epithet framing the whole exhortation.
24

כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֵ֥שׁ אֹכְלָ֖ה ה֑וּא אֵ֖ל קַנָּֽא

For YHWH your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Theological grounding for the preceding warnings (vv. 15–23) in YHWH's own natureכִּי
One of Deuteronomy's most concentrated theological statements: the same fire that revealed YHWH at Horeb (vv. 11–12, 15) is itself consuming and cannot tolerate rivals — קַנָּא 'jealous' names the exclusive, marriage-like intensity of the covenant bond that image-making and forgetting would violate.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounding the preceding warningsכִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the theological rationale for vv. 15–23's warnings.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
אֵ֥שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Predicate noun (nominal clause)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; recalls the Horeb theophany's medium (vv. 11–12, 15), now identified as YHWH's essential character.
אֹכְלָ֖הconsumingQal ptc fs · אָכַל (H398)Attributive participle modifying אֵשׁ→ Participle: characteristic/durative — an ongoing, essential qualityאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; feminine participle agreeing with אֵשׁ (fs), 'devouring fire' — YHWH's holiness as inherently intolerant of rivals or impurity.
ה֑וּאhe isindep pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun closing the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, functioning as copula 'is', resuming the subject יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
אֵ֖לa GodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Second predicate noun (nominal clause), in appositionאֵל (H410) 'God, deity'; a second, parallel divine epithet completing the verse's twin characterization.
קַנָּֽאjealousAdj m sg abs · קַנָּא (H7067)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלקַנָּא (H7067) 'jealous, zealous'; the chapter's key vocabulary word — YHWH's exclusive covenant-love that brooks no rival images or gods (cf. Exod 20:5; 34:14).
25

כִּֽי תוֹלִ֤יד בָּנִים֙ וּבְנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְהִשְׁחַתֶּ֗ם וַעֲשִׂ֤יתֶם פֶּ֨סֶל֙ תְּמ֣וּנַת כֹּ֔ל וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ

When you father children and children's children, and grow long settled in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of YHWH your God so as to provoke him to anger —

Opens the exile-and-return prophecy (vv. 25–31): temporal/conditional protasisכִּי
The temporal clause spans generations ('children's children') and long settlement (וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם) — the danger is not immediate but a slow drift into complacency and idolatry that Moses foresees as prophetically certain.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction opening the prophecy's protasisכִּי (H3588) 'when, if'; introduces the extended conditional/temporal clause of vv. 25–26.
תוֹלִ֤ידyou fatherHiphil impf 2ms · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb of the temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future/temporal — the anticipated generational progressionיָלַד (H3205), Hiphil 'to beget, father'; opens the temporal sequence with the birth of children in the land.
בָּנִים֙childrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of תוֹלִידבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural, the first generation born in the land.
וּבְנֵ֣יand children ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate direct object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) construct, 'sons of'; introduces the second generation — grandchildren.
בָנִ֔יםchildrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement completing the construct chain בְּנֵי בָנִיםבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; completes 'grandchildren' — the passage of generations.
וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּ֖םand grow long settledconj וְ + Niphal perf (weqatal) 2mp · יָשַׁן (H3462)Weqatal continuing the temporal sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/future — extended, comfortable duration in the landיָשַׁן (H3462), Niphal 'to become old, long-established'; describes the complacency of long, comfortable settlement — the breeding ground for spiritual decline.
בָּאָ֑רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, now the SETTING for potential apostasy rather than merely the goal of conquest.
וְהִשְׁחַתֶּ֗םand act corruptlyconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 2mp · שָׁחַת (H7843)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/futureשָׁחַת (H7843), Hiphil 'to corrupt, act corruptly'; repeats v. 16's verb — the corruption feared there now becomes historical certainty.
וַעֲשִׂ֤יתֶםand makeconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/futureעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; the forbidden act, now cast as prophetic certainty rather than mere possibility.
פֶּ֨סֶל֙a carved imageN m sg abs · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםפֶּסֶל (H6459) 'carved image'; the same forbidden object as vv. 16, 23.
תְּמ֣וּנַתthe form ofN f sg constr · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Genitive complement of פֶּסֶלתְּמוּנָה (H8544) construct 'form of'; the chapter's key term, a third and final time.
כֹּ֔לanythingN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive complement completing the construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all, anything'; summarizing the whole image-catalogue once more.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥םand doconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/futureעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; here shifting from making IMAGES to doing EVIL — idolatry as one instance of a broader moral corruption.
הָרַ֛עthe evilart + Adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; with article, 'THE evil' — the recognized, categorical wrongdoing of covenant violation.
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative/perspectival prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) dual construct 'eyes of'; 'in the sight/judgment of' — YHWH as the evaluative standard.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of בְּעֵינֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹso as to provoke himprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · כָּעַס (H3707)Infinitive clause of result→ Infinitive construct: result — the effect of the described evilכָּעַס (H3707), Hiphil 'to provoke to anger'; names the emotional consequence for YHWH of Israel's covenant violation — anthropomorphic divine pathos.
26

הַעִידֹתִי֩ בָכֶ֨ם הַיּ֜וֹם אֶת הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת הָאָ֗רֶץ כִּֽי אָבֹ֣ד תֹּאבֵדוּן֮ מַהֵר֒ מֵעַ֣ל הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתֶּ֜ם עֹבְרִ֧ים אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ לֹֽא תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עָלֶ֔יהָ כִּ֥י הִשָּׁמֵ֖ד תִּשָּׁמֵדֽוּן

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from off the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days on it, but will be utterly destroyed.

The oath-witness formula, invoking heaven and earth as legal witnesses to the covenant sanctionasyndeton
הַעִידֹתִי בָכֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ, 'I call heaven and earth to witness', is the fixed ANE treaty formula (cf. 30:19; 31:28; 32:1) invoking creation itself as an enduring, incorruptible witness to the covenant curse now pronounced — swift, total destruction from the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
הַעִידֹתִי֩I call to witnessHiphil perf 1cs · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (main clause, performative)→ Perfective (performative): the act of witnessing accomplished in the very speakingעוּד (H5749), Hiphil 'to call to witness, testify'; the standard covenant-lawsuit verb, formally invoking witnesses against a future breach.
בָכֶ֨םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase, the party against whom witness is calledבְּ + 2mp suffix, 'against you' — the legal formula's addressee.
הַיּ֜וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'today' — the solemn present moment of covenant-witness invocation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַשָּׁמַיִם as object of הַעִידֹתִי; untranslated.
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Direct object of הַעִידֹתִישָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; called as an enduring, cosmic witness to the covenant (cf. 30:19; 31:28; 32:1).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הָאָרֶץ as the second coordinate witness-object.
הָאָ֗רֶץearthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Coordinate direct object of הַעִידֹתִיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; paired with שָׁמַיִם as the two cosmic witnesses to the covenant.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Object clause marker (content of the witness/oath)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of the testimony — the coming judgment.
אָבֹ֣דsurelyQal inf abs · אָבַד (H6)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — intensifies certainty of the following verbאָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; infinitive absolute + finite verb (תֹּאבֵדוּן) is the classic Hebrew construction for emphatic certainty — 'you will UTTERLY perish'.
תֹּאבֵדוּן֮you will perishQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: emphatic future — certain, decisive judgmentאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; the covenant curse's central verb.
מַהֵר֒quicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive modifying תֹּאבֵדוּן→ Infinitive absolute as adverb of manner — not a command but a tempo marker: the threatened perishing comes 'swiftly', with no lingering interval between apostasy and judgment.מָהַר (H4118) 'to hasten'; infinitive absolute used adverbially, 'swiftly, quickly' — the judgment's suddenness.
מֵעַ֣לfrom offprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (separation)עַל (H5921) compounded with מִן, 'from upon' — total removal from the land's surface.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of מֵעַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, from which exile will remove them.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אַתֶּ֜םyouindep pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the participle עֹבְרִיםאַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'.
עֹבְרִ֧יםare crossingQal ptc mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle (present-progressive/imminent)→ Participle: present-progressive — the crossing as an imminent actעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; the same imminent Jordan-crossing referenced throughout the chapter (vv. 14, 21, 22).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as object of עֹבְרִים; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of עֹבְרִיםיַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
שָׁ֖מָּהthere(ward)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of motion)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + directional ה.
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive clause of purpose→ Infinitive construct: purposeיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb תַאֲרִיכֻןלֹא (H3808), the standard Hebrew negative particle.
תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ןyou will prolongHiphil impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated future — the denial of long life in the landאָרַךְ (H748), Hiphil 'to lengthen, prolong'; negated here — the opposite of Deuteronomy's repeated promise of 'length of days' for obedience (cf. 5:33; 6:2).
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of תַאֲרִיכֻןיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, the object of the (negated) prolonging.
עָלֶ֔יהָon itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase, referring to הָאָרֶץעַל (H5921) + 3fs suffix, referring back to הָאָרֶץ (fem.), 'on it [the land]'.
כִּ֥יbut ratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/emphatic conjunction introducing the climactic verdictכִּי (H3588), here adversative, 'but rather' — introducing the final, absolute verdict.
הִשָּׁמֵ֖דutterlyNiphal inf abs · שָׁמַד (H8045)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — intensifies certainty/totalityשָׁמַד (H8045) 'to destroy'; infinitive absolute + finite verb (as in v. 26a), 'you will UTTERLY be destroyed' — the same verb used of the Baal-peor apostates (v. 3).
תִּשָּׁמֵדֽוּןyou will be destroyedNiphal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁמַד (H8045)Predicate verb (passive), intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol (passive): emphatic future — total, certain destructionשָׁמַד (H8045), Niphal (passive) 'to be destroyed'; echoes v. 3's judgment on Baal-peor worshippers, now extended to the whole nation's future apostasy.
27

וְהֵפִ֧יץ יְהוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַמִּ֑ים וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ מְתֵ֣י מִסְפָּ֔ר בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְנַהֵ֧ג יְהוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם שָֽׁמָּה

And YHWH will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations to which YHWH will drive you.

The exile sentence itself: scattering among the nationsוְ
The concrete outworking of vv. 25–26's destruction-oracle: not merely death but DIASPORA — scattered, decimated, driven by YHWH's own hand into exile, fulfilling the pattern later realized historically in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהֵפִ֧יץand he will scatterconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 3ms · פּוּץ (H6327)Weqatal, main clause (consequence of v. 25's apostasy)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the certain outcome of covenant violationפּוּץ (H6327), Hiphil 'to scatter, disperse'; the exile-verb, YHWH himself as the agent of dispersion — judgment, not merely historical accident.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְהֵפִיץיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; even in judgment, the same YHWH who delivered from Egypt (v. 20) now disperses.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהֵפִיץאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the scattering.
בָּעַמִּ֑יםamong the peoplesprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Locative prepositional phraseעַם (H5971) 'people'; plural, the various nations among whom Israel will be dispersed.
וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙and you will be leftconj וְ + Niphal perf (weqatal) 2mp · שָׁאַר (H7604)Weqatal continuing the sequence (passive)→ Weqatal: consequential (passive) — the diminished remnant left behindשָׁאַר (H7604), Niphal (passive) 'to remain, be left'; the exile decimates Israel to a mere remnant.
מְתֵ֣יfewN m pl constr · מַת (H4962)Construct governing מִסְפָּר, idiomatic 'few in number'מַת (H4962) 'man'; construct with מִסְפָּר, the fixed idiom מְתֵי מִסְפָּר 'men of number' = 'a small, countable few'.
מִסְפָּ֔רnumberN m sg abs · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Genitive complement completing the idiom מְתֵי מִסְפָּרמִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; completes the idiom for a tragically diminished population.
בַּגּוֹיִ֕םamong the nationsprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Locative prepositional phraseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; restates בָּעַמִּים with the synonym used elsewhere for Gentile nations.
אֲשֶׁ֨רto whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בַּגּוֹיִם)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יְנַהֵ֧גwill drivePiel impf 3ms · נָהַג (H5090)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future — the ongoing/repeated act of driving into exileנָהַג (H5090), Piel 'to drive, lead away'; used of driving flocks — Israel led away like scattered livestock, a stark image of covenant judgment.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְנַהֵגיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the exile itself is YHWH's own act, not merely political misfortune.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of יְנַהֵגאֵת (H853) + suffix marks 'you' as object of the driving.
שָֽׁמָּהthere(ward)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of driving)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + directional ה, 'thither' — the scattered destinations among the nations.
28

וַעֲבַדְתֶּם שָׁ֣ם אֱלֹהִ֔ים מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֣י אָדָ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא יִרְאוּן֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּן וְלֹ֥א יֹֽאכְל֖וּן וְלֹ֥א יְרִיחֻֽן

And there you will serve gods, the work of human hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.

The exile's ironic climax: forced worship of powerless idols, in contrast to YHWH's living voice (vv. 12, 33)וְ
Bitter irony: having refused to make idols of the LIVING God (vv. 16–19), Israel in exile will be reduced to serving literally dead, sensory-less gods — wood and stone that cannot see, hear, eat, or smell, unlike the God who spoke audibly at Horeb.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַעֲבַדְתֶּםand you will serveconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Weqatal continuing the exile narrative→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the degrading service forced by exileעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the same verb as v. 19's warning against astral worship, now Israel's actual exilic fate.
שָׁ֣םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbialשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; in the lands of exile just described (v. 27).
אֱלֹהִ֔יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of וַעֲבַדְתֶּםאֱלֹהִים (H430); here plural 'gods' (foreign deities), pointedly NOT Israel's own God.
מַעֲשֵׂ֖הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Construct in apposition to אֱלֹהִיםמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed', from עָשָׂה; construct, 'work of' — demoting these 'gods' to mere manufactured objects.
יְדֵ֣יthe hands ofN c dual constr · יָד (H3027)Construct governing אָדָםיָד (H3027) dual construct 'hands of'; human hands, not divine power, are these 'gods'' true origin.
אָדָ֑םmanN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive complement completing the construct chain מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָםאָדָם (H120) 'man, humanity'; the polemical point — these 'gods' are made BY humans, inverting the true creator-creature relationship.
עֵ֣ץwoodN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Appositional noun specifying the material of the idolsעֵץ (H6086) 'wood, tree'; one of the two base materials, exposing idols' mundane, perishable substance.
וָאֶ֔בֶןand stoneconj וְ + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Coordinate appositional nounאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the second base material — 'wood and stone' is Deuteronomy's standard mocking shorthand for idols (cf. 28:36, 64; 29:16).
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying עֵץ וָאֶבֶן)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יִרְאוּןלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle, opening the fourfold sensory-deficiency list.
יִרְאוּן֙they seeQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated habitual — a permanent incapacityרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; negated — the first of four sensory deficiencies mocking the idols' lifelessness.
וְלֹ֣אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יִשְׁמְעוּןלֹא (H3808) repeated with conjunction, continuing the fourfold list.
יִשְׁמְע֔וּןthey hearQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated habitual — a permanent incapacityשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; negated — the second deficiency, directly inverting v. 12's YHWH who SPOKE and was HEARD.
וְלֹ֥אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יֹאכְלוּןלֹא (H3808) repeated.
יֹֽאכְל֖וּןthey eatQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated habitual — a permanent incapacityאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; negated — the third deficiency; ironically the SAME root describing YHWH as 'consuming fire' in v. 24, here idols cannot even consume ordinary food.
וְלֹ֥אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יְרִיחֻןלֹא (H3808) repeated, closing the fourfold list.
יְרִיחֻֽןthey smellHiphil impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · רוּחַ (H7306)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated habitual — a permanent incapacityרוּחַ (H7306), Hiphil 'to smell'; the fourth and final deficiency, completing the polemical portrait of utterly senseless, powerless idols.
29

וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם מִשָּׁ֛ם אֶת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ וּמָצָ֑אתָ כִּ֣י תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶֽׁךָ

But from there you will seek YHWH your God, and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

The turning point of the exile-prophecy: seeking and finding YHWH from exileוְ
The famous hinge-verse: from the depths of exile among lifeless idols (v. 28), Israel's seeking of YHWH — wholehearted and whole-souled — is promised success. This anticipates the covenant formula of Deut 6:5 and shows exile is not final abandonment but a corrective that can lead back to YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥םbut you will seekconj וְ + Piel perf (weqatal) 2mp · בָּקַשׁ (H1245)Weqatal, marking the turning point (adversative)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the pivotal act of seeking from exileבָּקַשׁ (H1245), Piel 'to seek'; the turn from idol-servitude (v. 28) to seeking the true God — the beginning of restoration.
מִשָּׁ֛םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative prepositional phrase (source, the place of exile)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + מִן, 'from there' — from the very place of exile and idol-servitude just described.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as object of וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם; untranslated.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּםיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the object of the exile-generation's seeking.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix; even in exile, YHWH remains 'your God' — the covenant bond persists despite judgment.
וּמָצָ֑אתָand you will findconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · מָצָא (H4672)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the promised success of the searchמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the promised OUTCOME of seeking — YHWH is findable, not permanently hidden.
כִּ֣יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction qualifying the findingכִּי (H3588), here conditional, 'if'; specifies the condition for finding — wholehearted search.
תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּyou seek himQal impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/durative — genuine, sustained seekingדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire of'; near-synonym of בָּקַשׁ (v. 29a), reinforcing the intensity of the search required.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'with all of' — total, undivided commitment.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement completing the phrase בְּכָל לְבָבְךָלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of will and thought — anticipates the Shema's core demand (6:5).
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, repeated for the paired phrase 'heart and soul'.
נַפְשֶֽׁךָyour soulN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement completing the phrase וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; paired with לֵבָב as the standard Deuteronomic formula for total devotion (cf. 6:5; 10:12; 30:6).
30

בַּצַּ֣ר לְךָ֔ וּמְצָא֕וּךָ כֹּ֖ל הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה בְּאַחֲרִית֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וְשַׁבְתָּ֙ עַד יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ בְּקֹלֽוֹ

When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to YHWH your God and listen to his voice.

Temporal clause specifying WHEN the seeking of v. 29 occurs — in distress, in the latter daysasyndeton
בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים ('in the latter days') is a fixed prophetic-eschatological phrase (cf. Isa 2:2; Hos 3:5) — Moses frames Israel's future repentance as a distant, ultimate-horizon event, not immediate.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
בַּצַּ֣רwhen in distressprep בְּ + art + Adj m sg abs · צַר (H6862)Temporal/circumstantial prepositional phraseצַר (H6862) 'narrow, distressed'; substantival adjective, 'in the distress' — the affliction of exile.
לְךָ֔to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְDative complement of בַּצַּר ('distress TO you')לְ + 2ms suffix, the experiencer of the distress.
וּמְצָא֕וּךָand have overtaken youconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 3cp + 2ms suffix · מָצָא (H4672)Weqatal continuing the temporal clause→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the cumulative arrival of all these afflictionsמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; here idiomatically 'to befall, overtake' — the same verb as v. 29's 'find', now describing calamity finding Israel instead.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of וּמְצָאוּךָ (construct)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all of'.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement completing the construct chain כֹּל הַדְּבָרִיםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here the calamities/curses of exile just described (vv. 26–28).
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative modifier of הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points back to the exile-curses just narrated.
בְּאַחֲרִית֙in the latterprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אַחֲרִית (H319)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחֲרִית (H319) 'end, latter part'; construct, 'in the latter part of' — a fixed eschatological/prophetic time-marker (cf. Isa 2:2; Hos 3:5).
הַיָּמִ֔יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement completing the phrase בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִיםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'the latter days' — Moses looks far beyond the immediate audience to a distant, ultimate future.
וְשַׁבְתָּ֙and you will returnconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Weqatal, main clause of the temporal sentence→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the culminating act of repentanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; the covenant's classic repentance-verb — turning back to YHWH after apostasy and exile.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of returning)עַד (H5704) 'up to, to'; unusual with שׁוּב (usually אֶל), emphasizing the FULL EXTENT of the return.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition עַדיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the destination of Israel's return.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the covenant relation reaffirmed even after apostasy and exile.
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖and you will listenconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Weqatal continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: consequential/future — renewed obedienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; echoes the chapter's opening imperative (v. 1), now fulfilled after exile and return.
בְּקֹלֽוֹto his voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of וְשָׁמַעְתָּ (idiomatic 'listen to/obey')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; echoes v. 12's Horeb voice — the same voice once heard at the mountain will again be heeded after the exile's discipline.
31

כִּ֣י אֵ֤ל רַחוּם֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָ וְלֹ֤א יִשְׁכַּח֙ אֶת בְּרִ֣ית אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לָהֶֽם

For YHWH your God is a compassionate God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

Theological ground for the promise of restoration (v. 30): YHWH's compassionate characterכִּי
Answers v. 24's 'consuming fire, jealous God' with its necessary complement: the same YHWH is אֵל רַחוּם, a compassionate God, whose jealousy for exclusive covenant loyalty is matched by mercy that will not finally abandon Israel — the chapter's climactic statement of hesed alongside holiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction grounding the promise of v. 30כִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the theological basis for the hope of restoration.
אֵ֤לa GodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate noun (nominal clause)אֵל (H410) 'God'; echoes v. 24's אֵל קַנָּא, now paired with a very different attribute.
רַחוּם֙compassionateAdj m sg abs · רַחוּם (H7349)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלרַחוּם (H7349) 'compassionate, merciful', from רֶחֶם 'womb' — a visceral, parental mercy; part of the classic divine-attribute formula (cf. Exod 34:6).
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יַרְפְּךָלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle, opening the triad of merciful denials.
יַרְפְּךָ֖he will abandon youHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָפָה (H7503)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated future — a firm, permanent assuranceרָפָה (H7503), Hiphil 'to let drop, abandon, forsake'; negated — YHWH's fidelity outlasts Israel's failure.
וְלֹ֣אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יַשְׁחִיתֶךָלֹא (H3808) repeated, continuing the triad.
יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָhe will destroy youHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated futureשָׁחַת (H7843), Hiphil 'to destroy, corrupt'; the same root used of Israel's own corruption (vv. 16, 25) — here negated of YHWH toward Israel, despite their corruption toward him.
וְלֹ֤אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb יִשְׁכַּחלֹא (H3808) repeated, closing the triad.
יִשְׁכַּח֙he will forgetQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb, negated→ Yiqtol: negated futureשָׁכַח (H7911) 'to forget'; the same verb Israel is warned against (vv. 9, 23), here reversed — YHWH himself will NOT forget, unlike the human danger of forgetting.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָ as object of יִשְׁכַּח; untranslated.
בְּרִ֣יתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of יִשְׁכַּח (construct chain)בְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; here the patriarchal covenant, distinct from but continuous with the Horeb covenant (v. 13).
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement completing the construct chain בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the covenant's original, unconditional promissory ground.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
נִשְׁבַּ֖עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, historical, binding oathשָׁבַע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear'; the patriarchal oath (cf. Gen 15, 22) grounds the certainty of eventual restoration.
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object of נִשְׁבַּעלְ + 3mp suffix, referring to the patriarchs — the oath's original recipients.
32

כִּ֣י שְׁאַל נָא֩ לְיָמִ֨ים רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים אֲשֶׁר הָי֣וּ לְפָנֶ֗יךָ לְמִן הַיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ בָּרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים אָדָם֙ עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ וּלְמִקְצֵ֥ה הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְעַד קְצֵ֣ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה כַּדָּבָ֤ר הַגָּדוֹל֙ הַזֶּ֔ה א֖וֹ הֲנִשְׁמַ֥ע כָּמֹֽהוּ

For ask now about the former days, which were before you, since the day that God created humankind on the earth, and from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened, or has been heard of.

Opens the incomparability climax (vv. 32–40): the cosmic-historical scope of the questionכִּי
The rhetorical challenge spans ALL of history (since creation) and ALL of space (from one end of heaven to the other) — the widest possible frame, preparing the unparalleled claim that follows: no nation has ever heard God's voice from fire and lived (v. 33), nor been chosen out of another nation by such signs (v. 34).
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/emphatic conjunction opening the new sectionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; here nearly asseverative, introducing the climactic rhetorical challenge.
שְׁאַלaskQal impv 2ms · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (main clause, imperatival)→ Volitional: an invitation to independent verificationשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; invites Israel to test the claim against the full historical record.
נָא֩nowparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Emphatic particle softening/urging the imperativeנָא (H4994), a particle of entreaty/urgency, 'please, now'; softens the command while intensifying its earnestness.
לְיָמִ֨יםabout the daysprep לְ + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of the preposition, complement of שְׁאַליוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, 'the days' — the whole span of recorded history.
רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜יםformerAdj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; 'former days' — all of history prior to the present moment.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying יָמִים רִאשֹׁנִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
הָי֣וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, historical stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; describes the days as having already occurred, prior to Israel's present.
לְפָנֶ֗יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative/temporal prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי idiomatic 'before' (temporal) — days preceding the present generation.
לְמִןfromprep לְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Temporal prepositional phrase (starting point)מִן (H4480) compounded with לְ, emphatic 'from, since' — marking the starting point of the historical span.
הַיּוֹם֙the dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of לְמִןיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'the day that' — introducing the creation-date as history's starting point.
אֲשֶׁר֩thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַיּוֹם)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
בָּרָ֨אcreatedQal perf 3ms · בָּרָא (H1254)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, singular creative actבָּרָא (H1254) 'to create'; the Genesis 1 creation-verb, reaching back to the very origin of humanity as the outer boundary of the historical inquiry.
אֱלֹהִ֤יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of בָּרָאאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Genesis creator-name, here explicitly recalling the creation account.
אָדָם֙humankindN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct object of בָּרָאאָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; the object of creation, echoing Gen 1:27.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the temporal boundary marker — the whole span since creation.
וּלְמִקְצֵ֥הand from the end ofconj וְ + prep לְ + prep מִן + N c sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Locative/spatial prepositional phrase (spatial boundary)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, edge'; construct, 'from the end of' — shifting from temporal to SPATIAL scope of the inquiry.
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement completing the phrase מִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִםשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; the first pole of the spatial merism.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (second pole)עַד (H5704) 'to, as far as'; introduces the second pole of the spatial merism.
קְצֵ֣הthe end ofN c sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Genitive construct, second pole of the merismקָצֶה (H7097) 'end, edge'; repeated for 'from one end... to the other end' — the totality of the cosmos, horizon to horizon.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement completing the second poleשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; closing the merism — the entire cosmic expanse is the search-space for anything comparable to Israel's experience.
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗הhas it happenedinterrogative הֲ + Niphal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question (passive/reflexive)→ Perfective (interrogative): rhetorical, expecting the answer 'never'הָיָה (H1961), Niphal 'to happen, come to pass'; the interrogative particle הֲ marks the rhetorical question — 'has such a thing EVER happened?'.
כַּדָּבָ֤רas the thingprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phrase (standard of comparison)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here the theophany/election just narrated in this chapter.
הַגָּדוֹל֙greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָרגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; describes the unprecedented magnitude of Israel's Horeb experience.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹלזֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to the Horeb events narrated in this chapter.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the second rhetorical question.
הֲנִשְׁמַ֥עhas it been heardinterrogative הֲ + Niphal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the second rhetorical question (passive)→ Perfective (interrogative), passive: rhetorical, expecting 'never'שָׁמַע (H8085), Niphal (passive) 'to be heard'; parallels הֲנִהְיָה — has ANYTHING like this ever even been REPORTED, let alone happened?
כָּמֹֽהוּlike itprep כְּמוֹ + 3ms suffix · כְּמוֹ (H3644)Comparative prepositional phrase completing הֲנִשְׁמַעכְּמוֹ (H3644) + 3ms suffix, 'like it' — referring back to הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל, the great matter, closing the rhetorical challenge.
33

הֲשָׁ֣מַֽע עָם֩ ק֨וֹל אֱלֹהִ֜ים מְדַבֵּ֧ר מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵ֛שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ אַתָּ֖ה וַיֶּֽחִי

Has any people heard the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and lived?

First unparalleled claim: no people has heard God's voice from fire and survivedasyndeton
The chapter's theological center of gravity: Israel's Horeb encounter is UNIQUE in world history — no other people has heard a god SPEAK audibly and lived to tell of it; the survival itself (וַיֶּחִי) is as remarkable as the hearing.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
הֲשָׁ֣מַֽעhas heardinterrogative הֲ + Qal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Perfective (interrogative): rhetorical, expecting 'never'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the interrogative הֲ opens the specific unparalleled claim — has any nation ever heard God speak?
עָם֩a peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of הֲשָׁמַעעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; any people OTHER than Israel — the rhetorical question's implicit subject of comparison.
ק֨וֹלthe voice ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of הֲשָׁמַע (construct chain)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; recalls v. 12's central term — the auditory theophany at the heart of the chapter's argument.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement completing the construct chain קוֹל אֱלֹהִיםאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; here general — 'a god' — before the parallel-specific point (any deity, none has done this).
מְדַבֵּ֧רspeakingPiel ptc ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Attributive participle modifying קוֹל אֱלֹהִים→ Participle: durative/characteristic — the ongoing act of speechדָּבַר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; the voice's defining characteristic — articulate speech, not merely sound (cf. v. 12's דְּבָרִים).
מִתּוֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source of the voice)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; repeats vv. 12, 15's phrase describing the fire as the voice's locus.
הָאֵ֛שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the theophanic medium, repeated a final time in this rhetorical climax.
כַּאֲשֶׁרasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause markerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; introduces the direct comparison with Israel's own experience.
שָׁמַ֥עְתָּyou have heardQal perf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — Israel's own historical experienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; second person, grounding the rhetorical question in Israel's OWN verifiable memory.
אַתָּ֖הyouindep pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic), resuming/emphasizing שָׁמַעְתָּאַתָּה (H859) 'you (ms)'; emphatic, underscoring Israel's direct, personal experience as the standard of comparison.
וַיֶּֽחִיand livedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָיָה (H2421)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb (climactic)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the astonishing outcomeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the climactic point — hearing God's voice directly and SURVIVING is itself the miracle, since ordinarily such an encounter would be fatal (cf. Exod 33:20).
34

א֣וֹ הֲנִסָּ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים לָ֠בוֹא לָקַ֨חַת ל֣וֹ גוֹי֮ מִקֶּ֣רֶב גּוֹי֒ בְּמַסֹּת֩ בְּאֹתֹ֨ת וּבְמוֹפְתִ֜ים וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗ה וּבְיָ֤ד חֲזָקָה֙ וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֔ה וּבְמוֹרָאִ֖ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם לְעֵינֶֽיךָ

Or has any god ever tried to go and take for himself one nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that YHWH your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Second unparalleled claim: no god has taken one nation out of another by such signs — the Exodus as unprecedentedאוֹ
The Exodus deliverance is catalogued with a sixfold list of means (trials, signs, wonders, war, mighty hand, outstretched arm, great terrors) — rhetorically overwhelming evidence that Israel's national election is historically unmatched, paralleling the sensory theophany of v. 33 with the historical-national miracle of the Exodus.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction joining the second unparalleled claimאוֹ (H176) 'or'; connects this second rhetorical question to v. 33's first.
הֲנִסָּ֣הhas triedinterrogative הֲ + Piel perf 3ms · נָסָה (H5254)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Perfective (interrogative): rhetorical, expecting 'never'נָסָה (H5254), Piel 'to test, attempt'; the interrogative particle opens the second unparalleled claim regarding national election.
אֱלֹהִ֗יםa godN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of הֲנִסָּהאֱלֹהִים (H430); here 'a god' (any deity), the subject attempting this feat.
לָ֠בוֹאto goprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive clause completing הֲנִסָּה→ Infinitive construct: the attempted actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; the first of two coordinate infinitives describing the attempted rescue-mission.
לָקַ֨חַתto takeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinate infinitive clause completing הֲנִסָּה→ Infinitive construct: the attempted actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; echoes v. 20's own verb for YHWH's election of Israel — 'no OTHER god has taken a nation'.
ל֣וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְDative of interest completing לָקַחַתלְ + 3ms suffix, 'for himself' — the deity's own possession-taking.
גוֹי֮a nationN m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of לָקַחַתגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the object of election — a whole people taken as one's own.
מִקֶּ֣רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (source)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; construct, 'from the midst of' — extraction from among another people.
גּוֹי֒another nationN m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of מִקֶּרֶבגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; repeated — the larger host-nation (Egypt) FROM WHICH Israel was extracted.
בְּמַסֹּת֩by trialsprep בְּ + N f pl abs · מַסָּה (H4531)Instrumental prepositional phrase, first of a sixfold listמַסָּה (H4531) 'trial, test'; the plagues understood as YHWH's testing/proving acts.
בְּאֹתֹ֨תby signsprep בְּ + N c pl abs · אוֹת (H226)Instrumental prepositional phrase, second itemאוֹת (H226) 'sign'; the plagues/wonders as signifying divine authentication.
וּבְמוֹפְתִ֜יםand by wondersconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Instrumental prepositional phrase, third itemמוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder, portent'; paired with אֹתֹת as the standard Exodus 'signs and wonders' formula.
וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗הand by warconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Instrumental prepositional phrase, fourth itemמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; YHWH's military victory over Egypt (cf. Exod 15:3, 'YHWH is a man of war').
וּבְיָ֤דand by a handconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phrase, fifth itemיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the standard Exodus power-metaphor.
חֲזָקָה֙mightyAdj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; 'a mighty hand' — the fixed Deuteronomic Exodus-formula (cf. 5:15; 7:8; 26:8).
וּבִזְר֣וֹעַand by an armconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg abs · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Instrumental prepositional phrase, sixth itemזְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'arm'; paired with יָד as the second half of the fixed Exodus power-formula.
נְטוּיָ֔הoutstretchedQal pass ptc fs · נָטָה (H5186)Attributive passive participle modifying זְרוֹעַ→ Participle (passive): describing a fixed, characteristic stateנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out'; passive participle, 'an outstretched arm' — completing the fixed formula יָד חֲזָקָה וּזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה.
וּבְמוֹרָאִ֖יםand by terrorsconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl abs · מוֹרָא (H4172)Instrumental prepositional phrase, seventh/summary itemמוֹרָא (H4172) 'fear, terror', from יָרֵא; the awe-inspiring, fear-instilling effect of the whole series of acts.
גְּדֹלִ֑יםgreatAdj m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying מוֹרָאִיםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; intensifies the terror the Exodus events inspired.
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase summarizing the whole listכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'according to all that' — summarizing and grounding the whole sixfold catalogue in historical fact.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying כֹּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
עָשָׂ֨הdidQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, historical actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; grounds the entire rhetorical argument in verifiable Exodus history.
לָכֶ֜םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of interest/benefit completing עָשָׂהלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for you' — Israel as the direct beneficiary.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the actual agent behind the rhetorical 'any god' question — implicitly, none but YHWH.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'.
בְּמִצְרַ֖יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the location of the unparalleled acts just catalogued.
לְעֵינֶֽיךָbefore your eyesprep לְ + N c dual constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative/perspectival prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) dual construct 'eyes of'; the eyewitness motif closes the verse — Israel personally SAW these unparalleled acts (cf. vv. 3, 9).
35

אַתָּה֙ הָרְאֵ֣תָ לָדַ֔עַת כִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ין ע֖וֹד מִלְבַדּֽוֹ

To you it was shown, that you might know that YHWH, he is God; there is no other besides him.

The chapter's creed-like climax: YHWH alone is Godasyndeton
אֵין עוֹד מִלְבַדּוֹ, 'there is no other besides him,' is the sharpest monotheistic statement in the Pentateuch to this point — not merely 'YHWH is supreme among gods' but the categorical denial of any other god's existence, directly answering vv. 32–34's rhetorical unparalleled-acts argument.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אַתָּה֙youindep pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (fronted for emphasis), 'YOU were shown'אַתָּה (H859) 'you (ms)'; emphatic fronting — Israel personally, not merely told about, but SHOWN.
הָרְאֵ֣תָwere shownHophal perf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Perfective (passive): a completed act of divine revelationרָאָה (H7200), Hophal (passive) 'to be caused to see, be shown'; Israel as the recipient of direct divine self-disclosure through the Horeb events just recounted.
לָדַ֔עַתso that you might knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Infinitive clause of purpose→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended outcome of being shownיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the purpose of the whole Horeb revelation was EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE of YHWH's unique deity.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Object clause marker (content of the knowing)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of the knowledge — the chapter's creed.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the subject of the climactic identity-statement.
ה֣וּאheindep pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun ('YHWH, HE is God')הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, functioning as copula, emphatically identifying יְהוָה with הָאֱלֹהִים.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate noun (nominal clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article, 'THE God' — the one true deity, as opposed to the generic 'a god' used elsewhere of foreign deities.
אֵ֥יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicate opening the categorical denialאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; introduces the absolute, categorical negation of any rival deity.
ע֖וֹדotheradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial complement of אֵיןעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with אֵין, 'no other, none besides' — the chapter's most concentrated monotheistic formula.
מִלְבַדּֽוֹbesides himprep מִן + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּד (H905)Prepositional phrase completing אֵין עוֹדבַּד (H905) 'separation, apart'; compounded מִן + לְ, 'besides, apart from' + 3ms suffix — closing the categorical exclusivity claim.
36

מִן הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם הִשְׁמִֽיעֲךָ֥ אֶת קֹל֖וֹ לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ וְעַל הָאָ֗רֶץ הֶרְאֲךָ֙ אֶת אִשּׁ֣וֹ הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה וּדְבָרָ֥יו שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ

Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you; and on earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.

Summary recapitulation of the Horeb theophany: heaven and earth both involvedasyndeton
A compact summary drawing together the chapter's key theophany elements (voice from heaven, fire on earth, words heard) with a new purpose clause — לְיַסְּרֶךָּ, 'to discipline/instruct you' — casting the whole revelation as pedagogical formation, not mere spectacle.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Locative/spatial prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks heaven as the source of the voice.
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִםheavenart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive complement of מִןשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; the celestial source of the divine voice.
הִשְׁמִֽיעֲךָ֥he let you hearHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, historical act of revelationשָׁמַע (H8085), Hiphil 'to cause to hear, proclaim'; YHWH himself as the direct source of Israel's auditory experience at Horeb.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking קֹלוֹ as object of הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ; untranslated.
קֹל֖וֹhis voiceN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of הִשְׁמִיעֲךָקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; recalls the chapter's central auditory term (vv. 12, 33) one final time.
לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּto discipline youprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 2ms suffix · יָסַר (H3256)Infinitive clause of purpose→ Infinitive construct: purpose — pedagogical intent behind the theophanyיָסַר (H3256), Piel 'to discipline, instruct, correct'; the revelation's purpose was FORMATIVE — shaping Israel through the discipline of encounter, not mere display of power.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; shifts from the heavenly voice to the earthly fire.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the earthly locus of the visible fire, complementing heaven as the voice's source.
הֶרְאֲךָ֙he showed youHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, historical act of revelationרָאָה (H7200), Hiphil 'to cause to see, show'; the visible complement to the audible voice — the great fire itself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking אִשּׁוֹ as object of הֶרְאֲךָ; untranslated.
אִשּׁ֣וֹhis fireN c sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵשׁ (H784)Direct object of הֶרְאֲךָאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; recalls the theophany's central visible medium (vv. 11–12, 15, 24) one final time.
הַגְּדוֹלָ֔הgreatart + Adj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying אִשּׁוֹגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; intensifies the theophany's overwhelming scale, echoing v. 32's 'great thing'.
וּדְבָרָ֥יוand his wordsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of שָׁמַעְתָּדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; plural, YHWH's own spoken words — the Decalogue and beyond.
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּyou heardQal perf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, historical act — Israel's own reception of the wordsשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; second person now, closing the summary with Israel's own experience of hearing.
מִתּ֥וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source of the words)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; a final repetition of the phrase from vv. 12, 15, 33.
הָאֵֽשׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the theophanic medium's final mention in the chapter's summary of Horeb.
37

וְתַ֗חַת כִּ֤י אָהַב֙ אֶת אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ וַיִּבְחַ֥ר בְּזַרְע֖וֹ אַחֲרָ֑יו וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ֧ בְּפָנָ֛יו בְּכֹח֥וֹ הַגָּדֹ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

And because he loved your fathers, he chose their offspring after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,

Theological ground for election: YHWH's love for the patriarchsוְ
אָהַב, 'he loved,' names love as the ultimate, otherwise-unexplainable REASON for Israel's election — not merit, size, or power (cf. 7:7–8) — grounding the Exodus itself in prior patriarchal affection, and specifying YHWH's own personal presence (בְּפָנָיו, lit. 'by his face') as the agent of deliverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְתַ֗חַתand becauseconj וְ + prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Causal conjunction phrase introducing the reason for electionתַּחַת (H8478) here used causally, 'because, in consequence of' — introducing love as the ground of election.
כִּ֤יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Completes the causal phrase תַּחַת כִּי, 'because'כִּי (H3588); combined with תַּחַת forms the compound causal conjunction 'because'.
אָהַב֙he lovedQal perf 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational act of loveאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; the ultimate, unmerited ground of Israel's election — not size or righteousness (cf. 7:7–8; 9:4–6).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking אֲבֹתֶיךָ as object of אָהַב; untranslated.
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of אָהַבאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob — the objects of YHWH's foundational love.
וַיִּבְחַ֥רand he choseconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the consequence of the patriarchal loveבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, elect'; Deuteronomy's key election-verb, here applied to the patriarchs' descendants as a consequence of love.
בְּזַרְע֖וֹtheir offspringprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of וַיִּבְחַר (with בְּ)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the patriarchs' descendants — Israel — as the chosen line.
אַחֲרָ֑יוafter himprep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Temporal/sequential prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the generational succession — the offspring coming after the patriarch(s).
וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ֧and he brought you outconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 2ms suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318), Hiphil 'to bring out'; the Exodus-deliverance verb, again (cf. v. 20), flowing from the love-election just described.
בְּפָנָ֛יוby his own presenceprep בְּ + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Instrumental prepositional phrase (manner of the deliverance)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatically 'his own presence' — YHWH personally, not merely an angel or intermediary, effected the deliverance.
בְּכֹח֥וֹby his powerprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · כֹּחַ (H3581)Instrumental prepositional phraseכֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, power'; the divine might behind the Exodus deliverance.
הַגָּדֹ֖לgreatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying כֹּחוֹגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; intensifies the described power, echoing the chapter's repeated 'great' vocabulary (vv. 32, 34, 36).
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase (source of the exodus)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of bondage from which YHWH's power delivered Israel.
38

לְהוֹרִ֗ישׁ גּוֹיִ֛ם גְּדֹלִ֧ים וַעֲצֻמִ֛ים מִמְּךָ֖ מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ לַהֲבִֽיאֲךָ֗ לָֽתֶת לְךָ֧ אֶת אַרְצָ֛ם נַחֲלָ֖ה כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you from before you, to bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day.

Purpose clause continuing v. 37: dispossession and inheritance of the landasyndeton
Completes the purpose-chain begun in v. 37 (love → election → deliverance), naming the CONQUEST itself as the final link — Israel's inheritance is a decisive, present reality ('as it is this day'), not merely a future promise.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לְהוֹרִ֗ישׁto dispossessprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive clause of purpose, continuing v. 37's chain→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal of the deliveranceיָרַשׁ (H3423), Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; the conquest as the culminating purpose of the Exodus and election.
גּוֹיִ֛םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of לְהוֹרִישׁגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; plural, the Canaanite peoples to be dispossessed.
גְּדֹלִ֧יםgreaterAdj m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיִםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; comparative sense, 'greater [than you]' — Israel's numerical/military inferiority to the Canaanite nations.
וַעֲצֻמִ֛יםand mightierconj וְ + Adj m pl abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Coordinate attributive adjectiveעָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, numerous'; paired with גָּדוֹל — the Canaanite nations' formidable strength, making the conquest itself another act of unmerited divine favor.
מִמְּךָ֖than youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase completing גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצֻמִיםמִן (H4480), comparative, 'than you' — completing the comparison of relative strength.
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (source of dispossession)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפָּנֶיךָ idiomatic 'from before you' — the nations driven out ahead of Israel's advance.
לַהֲבִֽיאֲךָ֗to bring you inprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive clause of purpose, continuing the chain→ Infinitive construct: purposeבּוֹא (H935), Hiphil 'to bring in'; the positive counterpart to dispossession — Israel's entry into the vacated land.
לָֽתֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive clause of purpose, continuing the chain→ Infinitive construct: purposeנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the final link in the purpose-chain — the land as gift, not conquest by Israel's own might.
לְךָ֧to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ + 2ms suffix, Israel as recipient of the land-gift.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking אַרְצָם as object of לָתֶת; untranslated.
אַרְצָ֛םtheir landN (c) sg constr + 3mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָתֶתאֶרֶץ (H776) + 3mp suffix; the dispossessed nations' land, now to become Israel's.
נַחֲלָ֖הas an inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative (predicate complement of לָתֶת)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; the same term applied to Israel itself (v. 20) and the land (v. 21) — now completing the triad of divine gifts.
כַּיּ֥וֹםas it isprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative adverbial phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'as [it is] this day' — the same phrase as v. 20, affirming the inheritance as PRESENT reality.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of כַּיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; anchors the fulfillment to the present moment of address.
39

וְיָדַעְתָּ֣ הַיּ֗וֹם וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֮ אֶל לְבָבֶךָ֒ כִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם מִמַּ֔עַל וְעַל הָאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּ֑חַת אֵ֖ין עֽוֹד

Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that YHWH, he is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

Exhortatory conclusion of the incomparability climax: know and take to heart YHWH's unique deityוְ
Repeats v. 35's creed (יְהוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים) with cosmic scope added — heaven above AND earth beneath — and shifts from passive reception ('you were shown') to active internalization ('know... lay it to your heart'), the response demanded by the whole chapter's argument.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְיָדַעְתָּ֣knowconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Weqatal, main exhortatory clause→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — the demanded response to the whole chapter's argumentיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; echoes v. 35's לָדַעַת, now as direct imperative-force command — active, willed knowledge.
הַיּ֗וֹםthis dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'today' — the present moment as the decisive occasion for this knowledge.
וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֮and take it to heartconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Weqatal continuing the exhortation→ Weqatal: consequential/imperativalשׁוּב (H7725), Hiphil 'to cause to return, bring back'; idiomatically הֵשִׁיב אֶל לֵב, 'to take to heart' — internalizing the knowledge just commanded.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of the idiom)אֶל (H413) 'to'; completes the idiom הֵשִׁיב אֶל לֵבָב, 'take to heart'.
לְבָבֶךָ֒your heartN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of the preposition אֶללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of internalized conviction, completing the idiom for genuine, lasting acceptance.
כִּ֤יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Object clause marker (content of the knowing)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the creedal content to be known and internalized.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
ה֣וּאheindep pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronounהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, functioning as copula, repeating v. 35's creed.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate noun (nominal clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article, 'THE God' — repeated from v. 35, now with cosmic scope added.
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִםin heavenprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Locative prepositional phrase (cosmic scope)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; the first pole of the cosmic merism newly added to v. 35's creed.
מִמַּ֔עַלaboveprep מִן + adverb · מַעַל (H4605)Adverbial intensifier of בַּשָּׁמַיִםמַעַל (H4605) 'above, upward'; intensifies 'in heaven ABOVE' — the celestial realm's height.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; introduces the second pole of the cosmic merism.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the second pole, completing the heaven/earth merism — YHWH's rule spans the entire cosmos.
מִתָּ֑חַתbeneathprep מִן + prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial intensifier of וְעַל הָאָרֶץתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; intensifies 'on the earth BENEATH' — parallel to מִמַּעַל, completing the cosmic totality.
אֵ֖יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicate, categorical denialאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; repeats v. 35's categorical negation, now with added cosmic scope making the claim maximally comprehensive.
עֽוֹדotheradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial complement of אֵין, closing the chapter's central creedעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with אֵין, 'no other' — the chapter's monotheistic climax restated and sealed.
40

וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֞ אֶת חֻקָּ֣יו וְאֶת מִצְוֺתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֤י מְצַוְּךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֲשֶׁר֙ יִיטַ֣ב לְךָ֔ וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ וּלְמַ֨עַן תַּאֲרִ֤יךְ יָמִים֙ עַל הַ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ כָּל הַיָּמִֽים

And you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days on the land that YHWH your God is giving you for all time.

Closing exhortation: keep the commandments for well-being and length of daysוְ
Closes the great exhortation (vv. 1–40) exactly where it began — with the imperative to keep statutes and commandments — but now grounded in the whole intervening argument: YHWH's uniqueness, jealousy, mercy, and incomparable acts. The dual motivation (that it may go well; that you may prolong your days) reprises v. 1's opening promise of life.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֞and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal, main closing command→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — the chapter's final, summarizing commandשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; the chapter's opening (v. 1's שְׁמַע) and closing note, forming an inclusio around the whole exhortation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking חֻקָּיו as object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּ; untranslated.
חֻקָּ֣יוhis statutesN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · חֹק (H2706)Direct object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; the chapter's drumbeat term, now with 3ms suffix — YHWH's own statutes.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking מִצְוֺתָיו as the coordinate object.
מִצְוֺתָ֗יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Coordinate direct object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; paired with חֻקִּים, closing the chapter with the same legal vocabulary that opened it.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying חֻקָּיו וּמִצְוֺתָיו)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
אָנֹכִ֤יIindep pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (resumed by participle מְצַוְּךָ)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs pronoun; Moses' final self-identification as mediator of the command, echoing v. 1.
מְצַוְּךָ֙am commanding youPiel ptc ms + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present-progressive)→ Participle: present — the command as a currently-binding actצִוָּה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the participle marks the commanding as a present, still-binding act, as throughout the chapter (vv. 2, 5, 14, 23, 40).
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'today', the chapter's characteristic rhetoric of the present moment, one final time.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Purpose/result clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), here with purpose/result force, 'so that'.
יִיטַ֣בit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the promised outcome of obedienceיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; the first of the twin motivations for obedience — present flourishing.
לְךָ֔for youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְDative of interest completing יִיטַבלְ + 2ms suffix, 'for you' — the direct beneficiary of covenant obedience.
וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָand for your childrenconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate dative of interestבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the intergenerational scope of the blessing — obedience benefits descendants too.
אַחֲרֶ֑יךָafter youprep אַחַר + 2ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Temporal modifier of בָנֶיךָאַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the generations succeeding the present addressee.
וּלְמַ֨עַןand so thatconj וְ + prep/conj · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause marker (second motivation)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'so that, in order that'; introduces the second, complementary motivation — length of days.
תַּאֲרִ֤יךְyou may prolongHiphil impf 2ms · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the promised outcome, now affirmed rather than denied (contrast v. 26)אָרַךְ (H748), Hiphil 'to lengthen, prolong'; the positive counterpart to v. 26's negated warning — obedience brings the length of days exile would have destroyed.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of תַּאֲרִיךְיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, the object of prolonging — long life in the land.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
הַ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe landart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement of עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; the promised land as the setting for the long life just promised.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the chapter's closing covenant epithet.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present/imminent)→ Participle: present-progressive — the land-gift as YHWH's ongoing actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the chapter's recurring participle for the land-gift, one final time (cf. vv. 1, 21, 38).
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ + 2ms suffix, Israel as recipient.
כָּלfor allN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַיָּמִים, temporal adverbialכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all of'.
הַיָּמִֽיםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement completing the phrase כָּל הַיָּמִיםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural with article, 'all the days' = for all time — the chapter's final temporal horizon, closing the great exhortation of vv. 1-40.
41

אָ֣ז יַבְדִּ֤יל מֹשֶׁה֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן מִזְרְחָ֖ה שָֽׁמֶשׁ

Then Moses set apart three cities in the region across the Jordan toward the sunrise,

Opens the appendix: the three Transjordan cities of refugeאָז
A brief narrative appendix (vv. 41–43) shifts to third-person report, recording Moses' establishment of asylum cities east of the Jordan (cf. the fuller law of refuge in 19:1–13) — a concrete legal act fulfilling Torah's justice provisions even before the fuller law-code that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אָ֣זthenadverb · אָז (H227)Temporal adverbial, opening the narrative appendixאָז (H227) 'then, at that time'; marks a narrative transition to third-person report.
יַבְדִּ֤ילset apartHiphil impf (narrative/preterite) 3ms · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (narrative main clause)→ Yiqtol (narrative use): a completed historical act reported in narrative sequenceבָּדַל (H914), Hiphil 'to separate, set apart'; the legal-administrative act of designating asylum cities.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of יַבְדִּילמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the narrator now refers to Moses in the third person, marking this as an editorial/narrative appendix.
שָׁלֹ֣שׁthreenumeral f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Construct-like numeral governing עָרִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the number of Transjordan refuge cities (cf. Josh 20:8).
עָרִ֔יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of יַבְדִּילעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the cities designated for asylum from blood-vengeance.
בְּעֵ֖בֶרin the region acrossprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phraseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; construct, 'the region across' — the standard term for Transjordan.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement of עֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River; the cities lie EAST of it, on the plains of Moab.
מִזְרְחָ֖הtoward the sunriseN m sg constr + directional ה · מִזְרָח (H4217)Directional adverbial, in apposition to בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּןמִזְרָח (H4217) 'sunrise, east' + directional ה; specifies the eastward orientation of the cities.
שָֽׁמֶשׁsunN c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Genitive complement completing the phrase מִזְרְחָה שָׁמֶשׁשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; completes the idiom 'sunrise of the sun' = 'toward the east'.
42

לָנֻ֨ס שָׁ֜מָּה רוֹצֵ֗חַ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִרְצַ֤ח אֶת רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹא שֹׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֣וֹל שִׁלְשׁ֑וֹם וְנָ֗ס אֶל אַחַ֛ת מִן הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖ל וָחָֽי

that a manslayer might flee there, one who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and by fleeing to one of these cities he might live:

Purpose clause defining who may flee to the cities of refuge: the unintentional killerasyndeton
Defines precisely who qualifies for asylum — the killer who acted without prior malice ('did not hate him in time past'), distinguishing accidental manslaughter from premeditated murder, the same distinction elaborated fully in 19:4–6, 11–13.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
לָנֻ֨סthat might fleeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נוּס (H5127)Infinitive clause of purpose, continuing v. 41→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended function of the citiesנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; names the cities' legal function — asylum from the avenger of blood.
שָׁ֜מָּהthere(ward)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of flight)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + directional ה, referring to the cities just designated.
רוֹצֵ֗חַa manslayerQal ptc ms (substantival) · רָצַח (H7523)Subject of לָנֻס (logical subject of the infinitive)→ Participle: substantival — 'one who kills', the legal category of the killerרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill, murder'; substantival participle naming the category of person the law addresses — the killer, whether accidental or intentional (distinguished by what follows).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying רוֹצֵחַ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יִרְצַ֤חkillsQal impf 3ms · רָצַח (H7523)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/generic — describing the legal case-typeרָצַח (H7523) 'to kill'; repeats the verb, now finite, describing the act defining the legal case.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking רֵעֵהוּ as object of יִרְצַח; untranslated.
רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙his neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of יִרְצַחרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion'; the victim, a fellow member of the covenant community.
בִּבְלִיwithoutprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בְּלִי (H1097)Prepositional phrase (negation of knowledge)בְּלִי (H1097) 'without, lack of'; construct, 'without' — negates the following noun.
דַ֔עַתintentN f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitive complement completing the phrase בִּבְלִי דַעַתדַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge'; בִּבְלִי דַעַת, 'without knowledge/intent' — the legal marker of UNINTENTIONAL killing, the case the refuge law addresses.
וְה֛וּאand heconj וְ + indep pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resuming/emphasizing the killer)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, emphatic resumption of the killer as subject of the following negated clause.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following participle שֹׂנֵאלֹא (H3808), the standard Hebrew negative particle.
שֹׂנֵ֥אhatedQal ptc ms · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle, negated (stative)→ Participle: stative, negated — the absence of prior malice, the legal test of intentשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; negated — the absence of prior hatred/enmity is the legal criterion distinguishing manslaughter from murder.
ל֖וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְObject of the participle שֹׂנֵא (idiomatic 'hate toward')לְ + 3ms suffix, referring to the victim, object of the (negated) hatred.
מִתְּמ֣וֹלin time pastprep מִן + adverb · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Temporal adverbial phraseתְּמוֹל (H8543) 'yesterday, formerly'; idiomatic with שִׁלְשׁוֹם, 'in time past' — establishing the absence of a prior history of enmity.
שִׁלְשׁ֑וֹםor beforeadverb/N m sg abs · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Coordinate temporal adverbial completing the idiomשִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032) 'day before yesterday'; paired with תְּמוֹל as the fixed idiom 'heretofore, in time past'.
וְנָ֗סand by fleeingconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Weqatal continuing the purpose/result clause→ Weqatal: consequential — the act of taking refugeנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; repeats v. 42a's verb, describing the qualifying killer's actual flight to asylum.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of flight)אֶל (H413) 'to'; the destination of the flight.
אַחַ֛תonenumeral f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Object of the preposition אֶלאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; any one of the three designated cities.
מִןofprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, of'; partitive, 'one OF the cities'.
הֶעָרִ֥יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of מִןעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the three cities designated in v. 41.
הָאֵ֖לtheseart + demonstrative pron cp (archaic) · אֵל (H411)Demonstrative modifier of הֶעָרִיםאֵל (H411), archaic demonstrative plural 'these' (variant of אֵלֶּה); points to the three cities.
וָחָֽיand liveconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Weqatal, final purpose clause of the whole sentence→ Weqatal: consequential/purpose — the ultimate goal of the refuge provisionחָיָה (H2425) 'to live'; the refuge cities' purpose is explicitly LIFE-preserving — echoing the chapter's persistent life-theme (vv. 1, 4, 10, 33, 40).
43

אֶת בֶּ֧צֶר בַּמִּדְבָּ֛ר בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר לָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י וְאֶת רָאמֹ֤ת בַּגִּלְעָד֙ לַגָּדִ֔י וְאֶת גּוֹלָ֥ן בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן לַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי

Bezer in the wilderness, on the tableland, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Names the three specific refuge cities and their tribal allotmentsasyndeton
Names the three cities of v. 41 concretely — Bezer, Ramoth, Golan — each assigned to the Transjordan tribe in whose territory it lies (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh), grounding the general provision of vv. 41–42 in specific geography.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resuming יַבְדִּיל of v. 41)אֵת (H853), marking בֶּצֶר as the first named object of the setting-apart in v. 41; untranslated.
בֶּ֧צֶרBezerN proper · בֶּצֶר (H1221)Direct object (in apposition, naming the first city)בֶּצֶר (H1221), a city in Reubenite territory, the first of the three refuge cities named (cf. Josh 20:8).
בַּמִּדְבָּ֛רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; describes Bezer's terrain.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct, further specifying Bezer's location.
הַמִּישֹׁ֖רthe tablelandart + N m sg abs · מִישׁוֹר (H4334)Genitive complement completing the phrase בְּאֶרֶץ הַמִּישֹׁרמִישׁוֹר (H4334) 'level land, plain, tableland'; the plateau region of Reuben's territory.
לָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑יfor the Reubenitesprep לְ + art + N gentilic sg abs · רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206)Dative of assignment (tribal allotment)רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206) 'Reubenite'; gentilic, identifying the tribe to whom Bezer is assigned.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker (second city)אֵת (H853), marking רָאמֹת as the second named object.
רָאמֹ֤תRamothN proper · רָאמֹת (H7216)Direct object (in apposition, naming the second city)רָאמֹת (H7216), the second refuge city, located in Gad's territory.
בַּגִּלְעָד֙in Gileadprep בְּ + art + N proper · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Locative prepositional phraseגִּלְעָד (H1568), the mountainous Transjordan region where Ramoth is located.
לַגָּדִ֔יfor the Gaditesprep לְ + art + N gentilic sg abs · גָּדִי (H1425)Dative of assignment (tribal allotment)גָּדִי (H1425) 'Gadite'; gentilic, identifying the tribe to whom Ramoth is assigned.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker (third city)אֵת (H853), marking גּוֹלָן as the third and final named object.
גּוֹלָ֥ןGolanN proper · גּוֹלָן (H1474)Direct object (in apposition, naming the third city)גּוֹלָן (H1474), the third refuge city, located in the territory of half-Manasseh, giving its name to the later Golan region.
בַּבָּשָׁ֖ןin Bashanprep בְּ + art + N proper · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Locative prepositional phraseבָּשָׁן (H1316), the fertile Transjordan region where Golan is located.
לַֽמְנַשִּֽׁיfor the Manassitesprep לְ + art + N gentilic sg abs · מְנַשִּׁי (H4520)Dative of assignment (tribal allotment)מְנַשִּׁי (H4520) 'Manassite'; gentilic, identifying the (half-)tribe to whom Golan is assigned, closing the appendix's list of refuge cities.
44

וְזֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר שָׂ֣ם מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

This is the law that Moses set before the sons of Israel.

Superscription opening the law-code proper (chs. 5–26), closing chapter 4's exhortationוְ
This formal superscription (repeated/expanded in vv. 45–49) marks the literary seam between the great exhortation of ch. 4 and the detailed legal code beginning with the Decalogue in ch. 5 — 'this is the Torah' names the whole following corpus.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְזֹ֖אתthis isconj וְ + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/copula of the nominal clause opening the superscriptionזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs); functions as subject, 'this is...' — introducing the formal superscription to the law code.
הַתּוֹרָ֑הthe lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate noun (nominal clause)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; with article, THE Torah — designating the legal corpus that follows in chs. 5–26.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַתּוֹרָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
שָׂ֣םsetQal perf 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, formal act of promulgationשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; the formal act of presenting/promulgating the law before the people.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of שָׂםמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the narrator's third-person reference continues from the appendix (vv. 41, 44–49 form an editorial frame).
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי idiomatic 'before, in the presence of'.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of' — the covenant community as addressee of the law.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement completing the construct chain בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the superscription naming the law's recipients — the whole covenant nation.
45

אֵ֚לֶּה הָֽעֵדֹ֔ת וְהַֽחֻקִּ֖ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments that Moses spoke to the sons of Israel when they came out of Egypt,

Expanded superscription: adding testimonies to the drumbeat pair, anchored in the Exodusasyndeton
Expands v. 44's simple 'this is the law' into a fuller triad — עֵדֹת (testimonies), חֻקִּים (statutes), מִשְׁפָּטִים (judgments) — and anchors the whole legal corpus historically at the moment of the Exodus, setting up the fuller Horeb/Moab framing that follows in vv. 46–49.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֵ֚לֶּהthese aredemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject/copula of the nominal clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; functions as subject, 'these are...' — opening the expanded superscription.
הָֽעֵדֹ֔תthe testimoniesart + N f pl abs · עֵדוּת (H5713)Predicate noun (nominal clause)עֵדוּת (H5713) 'testimony'; a new term, distinct from the חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים pair, describing the law as YHWH's own attested self-disclosure and witness.
וְהַֽחֻקִּ֖יםand the statutesconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Coordinate predicate nounחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; the chapter's drumbeat term, now part of the fuller triad.
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֑יםand the judgmentsconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate predicate nounמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; completing the triad עֵדֹת/חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying the triad)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
דִּבֶּ֤רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of formal legal proclamationדָּבַר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; Moses' authoritative proclamation of the whole legal corpus.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of דִּבֶּרמֹשֶׁה (H4872); continues the third-person editorial frame.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the recipients of Moses' proclamation.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the law's addressees.
בְּצֵאתָ֖םwhen they came outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — anchoring the proclamation historicallyיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; בְּ + infinitive construct is the standard Hebrew temporal clause, 'when they came out' — anchoring the law's proclamation at the Exodus.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםof Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase completing the temporal clauseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of departure, anchoring the whole legal corpus in the Exodus-liberation event.
46

בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן בַּגַּ֗יְא מ֚וּל בֵּ֣ית פְּע֔וֹר בְּאֶ֗רֶץ סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכָּ֤ה מֹשֶׁה֙ וּבְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the sons of Israel defeated when they came out of Egypt.

Historical and geographical anchoring of the law's proclamation: the plains of Moab, site of the Sihon victoryasyndeton
Grounds Moses' proclamation of the law in specific geography (the Transjordan valley opposite Beth-peor, near Heshbon) and history (the defeat of Sihon), tying the whole legal corpus to real time and place rather than abstract, timeless pronouncement.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
בְּעֵ֨בֶרbeyondprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phraseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; construct, the Transjordan location of Moses' address, as in v. 41.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement of עֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
בַּגַּ֗יְאin the valleyprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · גַּיְא (H1516)Locative prepositional phrase, in apposition to בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּןגַּיְא (H1516) 'valley'; the specific Transjordan valley where Israel was encamped.
מ֚וּלoppositeprep · מוּל (H4136)Locative prepositional phraseמוּל (H4136) 'in front of, opposite'; precisely locates the valley relative to Beth-peor.
בֵּ֣יתBeth-N proper · בֵּית פְּעוֹר (H1047)First element of the place-name (object of מוּל)בֵּית (H1047) 'house of'; first element of the place-name Beth-peor, near the site of the Baal-peor apostasy (v. 3).
פְּע֔וֹרPeorN proper · בֵּית פְּעוֹר (H1047)Second element of the place-nameפְּעוֹר (H1047); completes Beth-peor, echoing the chapter's earlier warning-example (v. 3).
בְּאֶ֗רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct, further specifying the location.
סִיחֹן֙SihonN proper · סִיחוֹן (H5511)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץסִיחוֹן (H5511), the Amorite king defeated by Israel (cf. 2:26–37), whose territory Israel now occupies.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct in apposition to סִיחֹןמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct, identifying Sihon's royal title.
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amoriteart + N gentilic sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement completing the construct chain מֶלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִיאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; the ethnic/political identity of Sihon's kingdom.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying סִיחֹן)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
יוֹשֵׁ֖בlivedQal ptc ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle (past-durative in narrative context)→ Participle: durative — describing Sihon's settled residenceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; describes Sihon's capital as an established, settled kingdom before its defeat.
בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹןin Heshbonprep בְּ + N proper · חֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809)Locative prepositional phraseחֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809), Sihon's capital city, captured by Israel (cf. 2:24–37).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying סִיחֹן, resumed)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
הִכָּ֤הdefeatedHiphil perf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive military actנָכָה (H5221), Hiphil 'to strike, defeat'; the decisive victory over Sihon, narrated fully in 2:26–37.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of הִכָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872); Moses as military leader in the Transjordan conquest.
וּבְנֵֽיand the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subject of הִכָּה (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, coordinate subject with Moses — the whole nation shared in the victory.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation as co-victor with Moses.
בְּצֵאתָ֖םwhen they came outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: temporalיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the same temporal formula as v. 45, again anchoring events to the Exodus generation's journey.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםof Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase completing the temporal clauseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; closing the verse's historical anchor.
47

וַיִּֽירְשׁ֨וּ אֶת אַרְצ֜וֹ וְאֶת אֶ֣רֶץ ע֣וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֗ן שְׁנֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן מִזְרַ֖ח שָֽׁמֶשׁ

And they took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise,

Continues the historical anchor: possession of both Amorite kingdoms east of the Jordanוְ
Adds Og of Bashan to Sihon, completing the pair of defeated Amorite kings (cf. 3:1–11) whose territory now constitutes the Transjordan inheritance already distributed to Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh (3:12–17).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּֽירְשׁ֨וּand they took possessionconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Wayyiqtol, narrative main-line verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, take possession of'; the conquest's outcome, narrated in sequence after the defeat of v. 46.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking אַרְצוֹ as object of וַיִּירְשׁוּ; untranslated.
אַרְצ֜וֹhis landN (c) sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וַיִּירְשׁוּאֶרֶץ (H776) + 3ms suffix; Sihon's land, referring back to v. 46.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking אֶרֶץ עוֹג as the second coordinate object.
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Coordinate direct object (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct, 'land of' — introducing the second defeated king's territory.
ע֣וֹגOgN proper · עוֹג (H5747)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץעוֹג (H5747), the giant king of Bashan defeated by Israel (cf. 3:1–11).
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct in apposition to עוֹגמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct, identifying Og's royal title.
הַבָּשָׁ֗ןBashanart + N proper · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Genitive complement completing the construct chain מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁןבָּשָׁן (H1316), the fertile Transjordan region, Og's kingdom.
שְׁנֵי֙the twonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct governing מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִי, in apposition to the precedingשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct, summarizing Sihon and Og together.
מַלְכֵ֣יthe kings ofN m pl constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement completing the phrase שְׁנֵי מַלְכֵימֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; plural construct, 'kings of'.
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amoritesart + N gentilic sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive complement completing the construct chain שְׁנֵי מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִיאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; both Sihon and Og are identified as Amorite kings.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying שְׁנֵי מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִי)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
בְּעֵ֣בֶרbeyondprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; construct, locating both kingdoms east of the Jordan.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement of עֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
מִזְרַ֖חtoward the sunriseN m sg constr · מִזְרָח (H4217)Genitive construct, directional appositionמִזְרָח (H4217) 'sunrise, east'; construct, specifying the eastward direction, as in v. 41.
שָֽׁמֶשׁsunN c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Genitive complement completing the phrase מִזְרַח שָׁמֶשׁשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; completes the idiom 'sunrise of the sun' = 'toward the east'.
48

מֵעֲרֹעֵ֞ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל שְׂפַת נַ֧חַל אַרְנֹ֛ן וְעַד הַ֥ר שִׂיאֹ֖ן ה֥וּא חֶרְמֽוֹן

from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, as far as Mount Sion (that is, Hermon),

Defines the southern and northern geographic limits of the conquered Transjordan territoryasyndeton
Completes the geographic description with a south-to-north span — from Aroer on the Arnon gorge (southern border) to Mount Hermon (northern border, here called Sion) — the full extent of the Transjordan conquest under Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
מֵעֲרֹעֵ֞רfrom Aroerprep מִן + N proper · עֲרֹעֵר (H6177)Locative prepositional phrase (southern limit)עֲרֹעֵר (H6177), a city on the northern edge of the Arnon gorge, marking the southern boundary of the Transjordan conquest (cf. 2:36; 3:12).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying עֲרֹעֵר)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
שְׂפַתthe edge ofN f sg constr · שָׂפָה (H8193)Genitive complement of עַלשָׂפָה (H8193) 'lip, edge, bank'; construct, describing Aroer's location right at the gorge's rim.
נַ֧חַלthe valley ofN m sg constr · נַחַל (H5158)Genitive complement completing the phrase שְׂפַת נַחַלנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, valley, stream'; construct, the Arnon gorge itself.
אַרְנֹ֛ןArnonN proper · אַרְנוֹן (H769)Genitive complement completing the construct chainאַרְנוֹן (H769), the deep gorge/river forming the traditional southern border of Amorite/Transjordan territory.
וְעַדand as far asconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (northern limit)עַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; introduces the northern boundary, completing the south-to-north span.
הַ֥רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct governing שִׂיאֹןהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct, 'mount of' — introducing the northern boundary mountain.
שִׂיאֹ֖ןSionN proper · שִׂיאֹן (H7865)Genitive complement of הַרשִׂיאֹן (H7865), a Sidonian name for Mount Hermon (cf. 3:9's list of the mountain's various names).
ה֥וּאthat isindep pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/appositional pronoun, glossing the nameהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, functioning here as an explanatory copula, 'that is' — identifying Sion with the better-known name Hermon.
חֶרְמֽוֹןHermonN proper · חֶרְמוֹן (H2768)Predicate noun completing the appositional glossחֶרְמוֹן (H2768), Mount Hermon, the well-known northern boundary peak of Israel's territory.
49

וְכָל הָ֨עֲרָבָ֜ה עֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה וְעַ֖ד יָ֣ם הָעֲרָבָ֑ה תַּ֖חַת אַשְׁדֹּ֥ת הַפִּסְגָּֽה

together with all the Arabah on the east side of the Jordan, as far as the Sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

Final geographic note completing the chapter's superscription: the Arabah rift valley and the Dead Seaוְ
Closes the chapter with the last geographic element — the Arabah (the Jordan rift valley) down to the Dead Sea ('Sea of the Arabah'), under the slopes of Pisgah, from which Moses will later view the promised land (34:1) — a fitting final note before the law-code proper begins in chapter 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעֲרָבָה, continuing the geographic descriptionכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'and all of' — extending the territorial description to the Arabah.
הָ֨עֲרָבָ֜הthe Arabahart + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Genitive complement of כָּלעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, steppe'; the great rift valley through which the Jordan flows.
עֵ֤בֶרon the side ofN m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Construct, in apposition to הָעֲרָבָהעֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region'; construct, specifying which side of the Jordan is meant.
הַיַּרְדֵּן֙the Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive complement of עֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan River.
מִזְרָ֔חָהon the eastN m sg abs + directional ה · מִזְרָח (H4217)Directional adverbial modifying עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּןמִזְרָח (H4217) 'sunrise, east' + directional ה; specifies the eastern side of the Jordan valley.
וְעַ֖דand as far asconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (extent)עַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the extent of the Arabah southward.
יָ֣םthe sea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Genitive construct governing הָעֲרָבָהיָם (H3220) 'sea'; construct, 'sea of' — introducing the Dead Sea's descriptive name.
הָעֲרָבָ֑הthe Arabahart + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Genitive complement completing the phrase יָם הָעֲרָבָהעֲרָבָה (H6160); יָם הָעֲרָבָה, 'Sea of the Arabah' — the Dead Sea, into which the rift valley descends.
תַּ֖חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'.
אַשְׁדֹּ֥תthe slopes ofN f pl constr · אֶשֶׁד (H794)Genitive complement of תַּחַתאֶשֶׁד (H794) 'slope, foothill'; construct, 'slopes of' — the descending terrain of the Pisgah range.
הַפִּסְגָּֽהPisgahart + N proper · פִּסְגָּה (H6449)Genitive complement completing the construct chain אַשְׁדֹּת הַפִּסְגָּהפִּסְגָּה (H6449), the mountain ridge/peak overlooking the plains of Moab, from which Moses will view the promised land before his death (34:1) — a fittingly forward-looking final word for the chapter.