1
וְזֹ֣את הַמִּצְוָ֗ה הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם לְלַמֵּ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֑ם לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the ordinances, that YHWH your God commanded to teach you, to do in the land that you are crossing over there to possess it,
Opens the chapter with a summary heading naming the commandment, statutes, and ordinances Moses is about to expound. The relative clause grounds the material in divine authority (YHWH commanded) and practical purpose (to teach, to do, in the land now being entered).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְזֹ֣אתand thisconj וְ + demonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Conjunction + subject complement (resumptive demonstrative heading the clause)זֹאת (H2063), feminine demonstrative 'this', from זֶה; launches the chapter's heading formula, 'and this is the commandment...' [source id 0576D]
הַמִּצְוָ֗הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Predicate nominative (first member of the triad)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from צוה 'to command'; singular, summing up the whole body of instruction now to be given. [source id 05sYV]
הַֽחֻקִּים֙the statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Predicate nominative (second member of the triad, asyndetic)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, prescribed limit', from חקק 'to inscribe, engrave'; a fixed enactment. [source id 05fgo]
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםand the ordinancesconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Predicate nominative (third member of the triad, joined by conjunction)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance', from שׁפט 'to judge'; case-law rulings. With מִצְוָה/חֻקִּים forms a stock Deuteronomic triad for the whole law. [source id 05C3i]
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the defining clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who/which/that'; defines the commandment as what YHWH commanded. [source id 05K31]
צִוָּ֛הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandingצוה (H6680), Piel 'to command, charge, order' (found only in Piel/Pual); the verbal root behind מִצְוָה. [source id 05Mxg]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, connected with הָיָה 'to be'; traditionally read אֲדֹנָי and rendered 'the LORD'. [source id 05UVY]
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl construct + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), plural in form, singular in reference to Israel's God; construct with 2mp suffix, 'your (pl.) God' — Moses addresses the nation collectively. [source id 05ive]
לְלַמֵּ֣דto teachprep לְ + Piel inf constr · לִמֵּד (H3925)Purpose infinitive construct (dependent on צִוָּה)→ Infinitive of purpose: the intended goal of YHWH's commandלמד (H3925), Piel 'to teach, train'; the commandment's purpose is pedagogical — transmission to the generation entering the land. [source id 05m9N]
אֶתְכֶ֑ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְלַמֵּדאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 2mp suffix, marking 'you (pl.)' as the object of the teaching. [source id 05Gyf]
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Second purpose infinitive, coordinate with לְלַמֵּד→ Infinitive of purpose: the practical aim — performance, not mere knowledgeעשה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; pairs with לְלַמֵּד to move from instruction to obedient practice. [source id 05j6U]
בָּאָ֔רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (sphere of obedience)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the promised land, the arena where the law is to be lived out. [source id 05T8G]
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause identifying the land as the one Israel is now crossing to possess. [source id 05h69]
אַתֶּ֛םyouindependent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of עֹבְרִים (emphatic, resuming the addressee)אַתֶּם (H859), independent 2mp personal pronoun; emphatic subject, stressing that this generation is the one crossing over. [source id 05Hpm]
עֹבְרִ֥יםcrossing overQal ptc m pl abs · עֹבֵר (H5674)Predicate participle (main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: vivid present description — the crossing is underway/imminentעבר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; here of crossing the Jordan into Canaan, the pivotal act of entry. [source id 05U2e]
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverb of place, resuming הָאָרֶץשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional/paragogic הּ 'thither'; points back to the land just named. [source id 05UaK]
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive construct (goal of the crossing)→ Infinitive of purpose: the crossing's aim is possession/inheritance of the landירשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, inherit, dispossess'; with 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ, 'to possess her.' [source id 05FLe]
2
לְמַ֨עַן תִּירָ֜א אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ לִ֠שְׁמֹר אֶת כָּל חֻקֹּתָ֣יו וּמִצְוֺתָיו֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוֶּךָ֒ אַתָּה֙ וּבִנְךָ֣ וּבֶן בִּנְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּ֑יךָ וּלְמַ֖עַן יַאֲרִכֻ֥ן יָמֶֽיךָ
that you may fear YHWH your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments which I command you, you and your son and your son's son, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
A chain of purpose clauses (לְמַעַן...) explains why the commandment matters: reverent, lifelong, trans-generational obedience, with the reward of prolonged days — echoing Deuteronomy's recurring long-life-in-the-land formula.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
לְמַ֨עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing the clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the purpose of the preceding commandment — reverent obedience. [source id 05TjF]
תִּירָ֜אyou may fearQal impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — the intended result of obedienceירא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; reverential awe toward YHWH, the root disposition undergirding covenant obedience. [source id 05tFS]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the definite direct object of fearing. [source id 05wv4]
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of תִּירָאיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God. [source id 051QE]
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; singular addressee here, individualizing the appeal (contrast the plural אֱלֹהֵיכֶם of v.1). [source id 05HFk]
לִ֠שְׁמֹרto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive construct, coordinate with תִּירָא→ Infinitive of purpose: the practical expression of fearing YHWHשׁמר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the standard verb for faithful observance of covenant stipulations. [source id 05bMt]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks כָּל חֻקֹּתָיו as the definite object of לִשְׁמֹר. [source id 05fjp]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing חֻקֹּתָיו וּמִצְוֺתָיוכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; in construct, 'all of'. [source id 05hSe]
חֻקֹּתָ֣יוhis statutesN (c) pl construct + 3ms suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Genitive complement of כָּלחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, enactment', from חקק 'to inscribe'; fem. counterpart of חֹק, here with 3ms suffix referring to YHWH. [source id 05JDi]
וּמִצְוֺתָיו֮and his commandmentsconj וְ + N f pl construct + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Second genitive complement, joined by conjunctionמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; plural with 3ms suffix, 'his commandments', paired with חֻקֹּתָיו. [source id 05pLR]
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying the commandmentsאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause naming Moses as the immediate mediator of the commands. [source id 05UUk]
אָנֹכִ֣יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוֶּךָ (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic independent 1cs pronoun 'I'; stresses Moses' own role as the one commanding on YHWH's behalf. [source id 05FGD]
מְצַוֶּךָ֒commanding youPiel ptc m sg construct + 2ms suffix · מְצַוֶּה (H6680)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: ongoing/repeated present action — Moses' continual charge to Israelצוה (H6680), Piel participle 'commanding'; the verb behind מִצְוָה, here in present/durative force. [source id 05cjX]
אַתָּה֙youindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject, first of the three generational terms (asyndetic apposition)אַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun, heading the generational chain 'you, your son, and your son's son'. [source id 05BD2]
וּבִנְךָ֣and your sonconj וְ + N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Second member of the generational chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 2ms suffix, marking the second generation. [source id 05fQf]
וּבֶןand the son ofconj וְ + N m sg construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct opening the third member's genitive chainבֵּן (H1121) in construct before בִּנְךָ, forming 'your son's son' — the third generation. [source id 05cFY]
בִּנְךָ֔your son('s)N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing וּבֶן (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) with 2ms suffix; together וּבֶן בִּנְךָ = 'and your son's son', extending the obligation across three generations. [source id 05czF]
כֹּ֖לallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ (adverbial accusative of duration)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; here 'all the days', an adverbial expression of duration. [source id 05BK6]
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl construct · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of כֹּליוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct plural, 'days of'. [source id 05drG]
חַיֶּ֑יךָyour lifeN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive completing יְמֵיחַיִּים (H2416) 'life' (plural/abstract form), with 2ms suffix; 'the days of your life' = lifelong. [source id 05tUv]
וּלְמַ֖עַןand so thatconj וְ + prep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Second purpose clause, coordinate with the opening לְמַעַןלְמַעַן (H4616), repeated to introduce a second, cumulative purpose: long life in addition to reverent obedience. [source id 05VQ4]
יַאֲרִכֻ֥ןthey may be longHiphil impf 3mp (paragogic נ) · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb of second purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive result — prolongation of life as the reward of obedienceארך (H748), Hiphil 'to prolong, lengthen'; intransitive-causative here, 'that your days may be long' — the standard covenant blessing formula. [source id 05S5J]
יָמֶֽיךָyour daysN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of יַאֲרִכֻןיוֹם (H3117) 'day', plural with 2ms suffix; subject of the prolonging, echoing Deuteronomy's recurring long-life-in-the-land motif. [source id 05bwb]
3
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר֙ יִיטַ֣ב לְךָ֔ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּרְבּ֖וּן מְאֹ֑ד כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ
Hear, O Israel, and be careful to do it, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, just as YHWH, the God of your fathers, has promised you — a land flowing with milk and honey.
Moves from the heading (vv.1-2) to direct imperatival address ('Hear, O Israel'), promising blessing — welfare and multiplication — as the fruit of obedience, and anchoring that promise in YHWH's ancient oath to the patriarchs. This sets up the Shema of v.4.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤and you shall hearconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the instructional line)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — a command carried forward in sequenceשׁמע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the root of this chapter's most famous word — hearing that issues in obedience. [source id 05gNm]
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative (direct address)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name of the nation descended from Jacob; addressed directly here, as at v.4's Shema. [source id 05ZtA]
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣and you shall be carefulconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Second predicate verb, coordinate with וְשָׁמַעְתָּ→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — sustained obligation to observeשׁמר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; paired with שָׁמַע, moving from hearing to careful practice. [source id 05u1F]
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/result infinitive construct dependent on וְשָׁמַרְתָּ→ Infinitive of purpose: the aim of careful keeping is actual performanceעשה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; completes the hear-keep-do sequence characteristic of Deuteronomic exhortation. [source id 05agt]
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle (result) · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces result clause (functioning like לְמַעַן)אֲשֶׁר (H834) here with result force, 'so that'; introduces the outcome of obedience. [source id 05csz]
יִיטַ֣בit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb of result clause→ Yiqtol: modal/consequential — the promised well-being that follows obedienceיטב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; the standard Deuteronomic promise formula for covenant blessing. [source id 05wNM]
לְךָ֔for youprep לְ + 2ms suffixDative of advantageלְ preposition with 2ms suffix, 'for/to you'; marks the beneficiary of the promised well-being. [source id 05rRN]
וַאֲשֶׁ֥רand thatconj וְ + relative particle (result) · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Second result clause, coordinate with the firstאֲשֶׁר (H834), again with result force, joined by conjunction to a second promised outcome (multiplication). [source id 05Ade]
תִּרְבּ֖וּןyou may multiplyQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb of second result clause→ Yiqtol: modal/consequential — population increase as covenant blessingרבה (H7235) 'to be(come) many, multiply, increase'; national increase as part of the patriarchal blessing realized through obedience. [source id 05KH4]
מְאֹ֑דgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial modifier of תִּרְבּוּןמְאֹד (H3966) 'muchness, exceedingly'; intensifies the multiplication — the same term recurring in v.5's love-command. [source id 05kAt]
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩just asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the ground clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + אֲשֶׁר) 'just as, according as'; grounds the promise in YHWH's prior oath to the fathers. [source id 05JGi]
דִּבֶּ֨רhe has promisedPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of promiseדבר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; here of YHWH's prior promissory word to the patriarchs, now being fulfilled. [source id 05KWf]
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God. [source id 05mD6]
אֱלֹהֵ֤יthe God ofN m pl construct · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה, construct governing אֲבֹתֶיךָאֱלֹהִים (H430) in construct, 'God of'; ties the present promise to the patriarchal covenant. [source id 05xhB]
אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙your fathersN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive completing אֱלֹהֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2ms suffix, referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchal recipients of the land promise. [source id 0575Z]
לָ֔ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffixIndirect object of דִּבֶּר (the land as what was promised)לְ preposition with an archaic-looking 2fs suffix (לָךְ), though the addressee (Israel) is grammatically masculine — an old form occasionally retained in the Pentateuch. [source id 05vHP]
אֶ֛רֶץa landN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object complement in apposition (content of the promise)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here the land of promise, described by the following participial phrase. [source id 05CmX]
זָבַ֥תflowing (with)Qal ptc f sg construct · זָבָה (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ→ Participle: characterizing ongoing state — the land's proverbial, continual fertilityזוב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; construct participle, 'flowing with', the classic description of Canaan's abundance. [source id 05rpF]
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive complement of זָבַתחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; paired with דְּבָשׁ as the proverbial emblem of pastoral and agricultural abundance. [source id 0517V]
וּדְבָֽשׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Second genitive complement of זָבַתדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey' (likely including fruit/date syrup); with חָלָב forms the stock phrase for the land's fertility. [source id 05qbi]
4
שְׁמַ֖ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽ
Hear, O Israel: YHWH is our God, YHWH is one.
The chapter's, and Judaism's, central confession: a two-word address (Hear, Israel) followed by a declaration whose predicate אֶחָד is deliberately ambiguous between 'one' (numerical unity against polytheism) and 'alone' (exclusive devotion) — see text_note. This verse anchors the love-command of v.5 and the chapter's summons to undivided loyalty.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
שְׁמַ֖Hear!Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Imperative, main verb of the Shema→ Volitional: a direct summons to attentive, obedient hearingשׁמע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the imperative that gives this creedal declaration its name (Shema, 'Hear!'); hearing in Hebrew thought entails responsive obedience, not mere audition. Note: the MT's traditional enlarged ע (עַיִן רַבָּתִי) of שְׁמַע is not rendered by this digital source; see chapter text_note. [source id 05WH5]
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative (direct address)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name of the nation; addressed as the community that must hear and confess. [source id 05Wu9]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the personal covenant name revealed at the burning bush (Exod 3:14-15); the confession's first and climactic term. [source id 05Wfj]
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl construct + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative ('YHWH is our God')אֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God'; asserts the exclusive covenant relationship — this particular deity, YHWH, belongs to Israel as God. [source id 05MRr]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the second clause (repeated for emphasis)יְהוָה (H3068), repeated for emphasis; the double naming of YHWH frames the declaration of his unity/exclusivity. [source id 05d46]
אֶחָֽone / aloneadjective m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Predicate adjective ('YHWH is one' / 'YHWH alone')אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; famously ambiguous — read either numerically ('YHWH is one', asserting his unity against polytheism) or exclusively ('YHWH alone', asserting sole allegiance). See text_note on the deliberate ambiguity and the enlarged ד (דָּלֶת רַבָּתִי) tradition. [source id 05vGY]
5
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶֽךָ
And you shall love YHWH your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
The chapter's central command, immediately following the Shema: total, undivided love for YHWH, expressed through three totalizing prepositional phrases (heart, soul, מְאֹד) that press outward from inner disposition (לֵבָב) through vital life (נֶפֶשׁ) to the untranslatable totality of מְאֹד. Cited by Jesus (Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) as the greatest commandment.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔and you shall loveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (main command of the chapter, weqatal continuing the Shema)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — love as commanded covenant loyalty, not mere sentimentאהב (H157) 'to love'; in Deuteronomy love is covenantal and behavioral — total allegiance expressed in obedience, not only affection. This is the verse the Gospels cite as the greatest commandment. [source id 05MDm]
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the definite direct object of loving. [source id 05dCq]
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וְאָהַבְתָּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God — the object of Israel's total love. [source id 05cAA]
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; reiterates the exclusive relationship declared in v.4. [source id 05UYM]
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial/instrumental prepositional phrase (first of three)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; with בְּ, 'with all of' — introduces the first of three totalizing terms for love's completeness. [source id 05NZQ]
לְבָבְךָ֥your heartN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive completing בְּכָל (first term of the triad)לֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind, inner self'; in Hebrew psychology the seat of thought, will, and decision — not merely emotion. [source id 05afe]
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Second adverbial phrase, coordinate with the firstכֹּל (H3605) repeated with וְ + בְּ, 'and with all of' — introduces the second totalizing term. [source id 05jFT]
נַפְשְׁךָ֖your soulN (c) sg construct + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive completing the second וּבְכָל (second term of the triad)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self, appetite'; the whole living person/vital self, not a detachable 'soul' in the Greek sense. [source id 05VEv]
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Third adverbial phrase, coordinate with the first twoכֹּל (H3605) repeated a third time, introducing the climactic, untranslatable term מְאֹד. [source id 05dWK]
מְאֹדֶֽךָyour muchness / mightN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · מְאֹד (H3966)Genitive completing the third וּבְכָל (third term of the triad)מְאֹד (H3966), normally the adverb 'very, exceedingly', here uniquely nominalized with a pronominal suffix — 'your muchness/very-ness'; traditionally rendered 'might/strength', it resists tidy translation, pressing love's totality beyond heart and soul into the whole of one's resources and intensity. [source id 05MeB]
6
וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל לְבָבֶֽךָ
And these words that I command you today shall be upon your heart.
Introduces the chapter's practical pedagogy for the Shema/love-command: the words must first rest 'upon the heart' (internalized) before they can be taught, bound, and inscribed (vv.7-9). Internal possession precedes external transmission and symbol.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהָי֞וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — an abiding future state resulting from commandהיה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the verb of continuing existence/location — the words are to remain fixed 'upon' the heart. [source id 05kAx]
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of וְהָיוּדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; refers to the commandments/Shema just given — 'these words' = the preceding declaration and command. [source id 05cC6]
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points back to the Shema and love-command of vv.4-5. [source id 05AoQ]
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause identifying Moses as the immediate mediator of these words. [source id 05TQ4]
אָנֹכִ֧יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוְּךָ (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic 1cs pronoun; stresses Moses' immediate, present act of commanding. [source id 05pM2]
מְצַוְּךָ֛commanding youPiel ptc m sg construct + 2ms suffix · מְצַוֶּה (H6680)Predicate participle of relative clause→ Participle: present, ongoing act — the command is given in the very moment of speakingצוה (H6680), Piel participle 'commanding'; durative present, underscoring the immediacy of Moses' charge 'today'. [source id 05fTE]
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, idiomatic 'today', stressing the present, urgent moment of address — a recurring Deuteronomic refrain. [source id 05BxX]
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of וְהָיוּ)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; here metaphorical location — the words are to rest 'upon' the heart, i.e. be internalized. [source id 053b7]
לְבָבֶֽךָyour heartN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of the preposition עַללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of thought and will where the words are to be permanently lodged — internalization, not mere external recitation. [source id 0562B]
7
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֨ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Specifies how the internalized words (v.6) are transmitted: formal, incisive teaching to children, and informal, continual conversation, situated by two merisms — house/way and lying-down/rising-up — spanning every place and every hour of the day. The basis for the daily recitation of the Shema in Jewish practice (morning and evening).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣םand you shall teach them diligentlyconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms + 3mp suffix · שִׁנֵּן (H8150)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — repeated, sharpened instruction, not one-time tellingשׁנן (H8150), Piel 'to teach incisively, repeat, sharpen'; related to שֵׁן 'tooth' — the image is of honing words into the hearer through repetition. [source id 05MnE]
לְבָנֶ֔יךָto your sonsprep לְ + N m pl construct + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of וְשִׁנַּנְתָּםבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural with 2ms suffix, the intended recipients of this sharpened, repeated instruction — the next generation. [source id 055dP]
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖and you shall speakconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Second predicate verb, coordinate with וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — ongoing verbal rehearsal in daily lifeדבר (H1696), Piel 'to speak, talk'; pairs formal teaching (שִׁנַּנְתָּם) with informal, continual conversation about the words. [source id 05sJH]
בָּ֑םof themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixObject of preposition (referring to 'these words')בְּ preposition with 3mp suffix, 'in/of them'; referring back to הַדְּבָרִים of v.6. [source id 05Wke]
בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤when you sitprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · יָשַׁב (H3427)Temporal infinitival clause (first of four life-situations)→ Infinitive of time: a recurring, ordinary domestic moment for rehearsing the wordsישׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; first term of a merism (sitting/walking, lying/rising) spanning all daily activity as an occasion for teaching. [source id 058Vg]
בְּבֵיתֶ֨ךָ֙in your houseprep בְּ + N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative complement of בְּשִׁבְתְּךָבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the domestic setting, first term of the household/journey merism (house // way). [source id 05NwX]
וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣and when you walkconj וְ + prep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · הָלַךְ (H3212)Second temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive of time: journeying, the complementary situation to sitting at homeהלך (H3212) 'to go, walk'; second term of the merism (sitting at home // walking abroad) — every place, not just the home. [source id 05VVb]
בַדֶּ֔רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative complement of וּבְלֶכְתְּךָדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; completes the sitting/walking merism — the words accompany travel as much as domestic rest. [source id 05BJi]
וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖and when you lie downconj וְ + prep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · שָׁכַב (H7901)Third temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive of time: the evening/night boundary of the dayשׁכב (H7901) 'to lie down'; begins a second merism (lying down // rising up) marking the day's temporal boundaries. [source id 05dp9]
וּבְקוּמֶֽךָand when you rise upconj וְ + prep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · קוּם (H6965)Fourth temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive of time: the morning boundary of the day, completing the merismקום (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; completes the lying-down/rising-up merism — the whole day, morning to night, is the horizon for rehearsing these words. [source id 05ERi]
8
וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ
And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
Prescribes a second mode of remembrance beyond speech (v.7): physical binding of the words on hand and forehead, the textual basis (with the mezuzah of v.9) for tefillin. Whether meant literally or figuratively in its original setting, later Jewish practice took this concretely.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥םand you shall bind themconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3mp suffix · קָשַׁר (H7194)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — binding the words as a lasting, physical mnemonicקשׁר (H7194) 'to bind, tie'; the basis (with טוֹטָפֹת) for the practice of tefillin bound on the arm and head. [source id 05riL]
לְא֖וֹתas a signprep לְ + N (c) sg abs · אוֹת (H226)Predicate complement (result/purpose of binding)אוֹת (H226) 'sign, token'; the bound words function as a visible, tangible reminder of covenant identity, like the sign of the Sabbath or circumcision elsewhere. [source id 05qeW]
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; specifies the place of binding. [source id 052Cm]
יָדֶ֑ךָyour handN (c) sg construct + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Object of the preposition עַליָד (H3027) 'hand'; traditionally the arm/forearm where the arm-tefillah is bound, near the heart. [source id 05juK]
וְהָי֥וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Second predicate verb, coordinate with וּקְשַׁרְתָּם→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — a parallel, ongoing state (frontlets)היה (H1961) 'to be'; parallels v.8a's binding with a second physical token located at the forehead. [source id 05CyD]
לְטֹטָפֹ֖תas frontletsprep לְ + N f pl abs · טוֹטָפָה (H2903)Predicate complement (result/purpose)טוֹטָפָה (H2903) 'frontlet, band' (plural, uncertain etymology); the traditional basis for the head-tefillah, worn on the forehead. [source id 05CuU]
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Locative prepositional phraseבֵּין (H996) 'between'; specifies the placement of the frontlets. [source id 05fge]
עֵינֶֽיךָyour eyesN (c) dual construct + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Object of the preposition בֵּיןעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form, 'your (two) eyes' — i.e. on the forehead, between the eyes, the traditional site of the head-tefillah. [source id 056Q1]
9
וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל מְזוּזֹ֥ת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The third and most durable mode of remembrance: written inscription on doorposts (private) and gates (public) — the origin of the mezuzah practice, extending the words' visibility from the individual body (vv.7-8) to the household and community threshold.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וּכְתַבְתָּ֛םand you shall write themconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3mp suffix · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — a third, permanent mode of inscribing the wordsכתב (H3789) 'to write'; the basis for the mezuzah practice — the words are to be permanently, publicly inscribed at the entrance to the home. [source id 05zHR]
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; specifies the place of writing. [source id 05tip]
מְזוּזֹ֥תthe doorposts ofN f pl construct · מְזוּזָה (H4201)Object of the preposition עַל, construct governing בֵּיתֶךָמְזוּזָה (H4201) 'doorpost'; the source term for the mezuzah, the small parchment case later affixed to doorframes containing this passage. [source id 05KkZ]
בֵּיתֶ֖ךָyour houseN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive completing מְזוּזֹתבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the doorposts of one's own dwelling, the private/domestic sphere. [source id 05hTx]
וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָand on your gatesconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl construct + 2ms suffix · שַׁעַר (H8179)Second locative complement, coordinate with עַל מְזוּזֹת בֵּיתֶךָשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; the public, community gates, extending the inscription from private home to public entryway — private devotion made publicly visible. [source id 05ZqW]
10
וְהָיָ֞ה כִּ֥י יְבִיאֲךָ֣ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אֶל הָאָ֜רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֧ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָ֣תֶת לָ֑ךְ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וְטֹבֹ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא בָנִֽיתָ
And when YHWH your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you — great and good cities which you did not build,
Begins a long conditional sentence (protasis vv.10-11, apodosis v.12) warning against forgetting YHWH once Israel enjoys the unearned bounty of Canaan: cities not built, houses not filled, cisterns not hewn, vineyards not planted (v.11). The patriarchal oath (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) grounds the gift theologically before the warning is issued.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְהָיָ֞הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing a temporal/conditional clause (main clause of vv.10-15)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — introduces a future scenario ('and it shall come to pass when...')היה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; idiomatic formula וְהָיָה כִּי introducing a future temporal clause, common in Deuteronomic parenesis. [source id 05kWc]
כִּ֥יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing subordinate clauseכִּי (H3588), here temporal 'when' (not causal); introduces the scenario of entry into the land. [source id 05gXQ]
יְבִיאֲךָ֣he brings youHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the anticipated act of divine bringing-inבוא (H935), Hiphil 'to bring, cause to enter'; causative of the Qal 'to come, go in' — YHWH as the one who brings Israel into the land. [source id 05qr9]
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְבִיאֲךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God. [source id 05TFW]
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'. [source id 052cg]
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of יְבִיאֲךָ)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the destination of the bringing-in. [source id 05G6q]
הָאָ֜רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, object of the fathers' oath. [source id 05E2j]
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause naming the oath behind the land-gift. [source id 05tXV]
נִשְׁבַּ֧עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding prior act of divine oathשׁבע (H7650), Niphal (reflexive-passive sense 'to swear'); YHWH's own self-binding oath to the patriarchs, the legal ground of the land promise. [source id 057Ee]
לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2ms suffix, summarily naming the patriarchs before they are individually listed. [source id 054LF]
לְאַבְרָהָ֛םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)First specification of אֲבֹתֶיךָ (in apposition)אַבְרָהָם (H85), the first patriarch, original recipient of the land covenant (Gen 12; 15; 17). [source id 058Ur]
לְיִצְחָ֥קto Isaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Second specification, coordinateיִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch, heir of the Abrahamic promise. [source id 05UB3]
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖בand to Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Third specification, joined by conjunctionיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the third patriarch, renamed Israel, completing the standard patriarchal triad. [source id 055iK]
לָ֣תֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitive construct (goal of the oath)→ Infinitive of purpose: the content of what was sworn — the land as giftנתן (H5414) 'to give'; the oath's substance was a promise to give the land, gift rather than conquest as the theological frame. [source id 05Der]
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffixIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ preposition with the same archaic-looking 2fs suffix seen in v.3 (לָךְ), referring to the addressee Israel. [source id 05e1m]
עָרִ֛יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of לָתֶתעִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; the object given — the land's existing infrastructure, not raw wilderness. [source id 05JA6]
גְּדֹלֹ֥תgreatadjective f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying עָרִיםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; describes the impressive, already-developed cities Israel inherits. [source id 05ZJi]
וְטֹבֹ֖תand goodconj וְ + adjective f pl abs · טוֹב (H2896)Second attributive adjective, coordinate with גְּדֹלֹתטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the second attributive, stressing the desirability/quality of the inherited cities. [source id 05gKV]
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying עָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause emphasizing Israel's non-labor in acquiring these cities — the first of the chapter's list of unearned gifts. [source id 054qd]
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates בָנִיתָלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle. [source id 05LEv]
בָנִֽיתָyou builtQal perf 2ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: a completed act — explicitly denied of Israel, contrasted with the actual buildersבנה (H1129) 'to build'; Israel did not build these cities — the gift's gratuitousness begins the chapter's warning against forgetting (culminating in v.12). [source id 05N84]
11
וּבָ֨תִּ֜ים מְלֵאִ֣ים כָּל טוּב֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא מִלֵּאתָ֒ וּבֹרֹ֤ת חֲצוּבִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא חָצַ֔בְתָּ כְּרָמִ֥ים וְזֵיתִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא נָטָ֑עְתָּ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ
and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and cisterns hewn out which you did not hew, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant — and you shall eat and be satisfied,
Completes the fivefold catalogue of gift-not-labor (cities, houses, cisterns, vineyards, olive groves) begun in v.10, then pivots to the anticipated result — eating and being satisfied. This satiety is precisely what Deuteronomy elsewhere (8:10-14) identifies as the danger point for forgetting YHWH, setting up the warning of v.12.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּבָ֨תִּ֜יםand housesconj וְ + N m pl abs · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate direct object, continuing the catalogue of unearned goodsבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; plural, second item in the catalogue of gifts Israel did not produce. [source id 05rBZ]
מְלֵאִ֣יםfulladjective m pl abs · מָלֵא (H4392)Attributive adjective modifying בָּתִּיםמָלֵא (H4392) 'full'; describes houses already stocked with goods. [source id 05uki]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing טוּבכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all good things'. [source id 05uaL]
טוּב֮good thingsN m sg abs · טוּב (H2898)Genitive complement of כָּלטוּב (H2898) 'goodness, good things, bounty'; abstract noun for the accumulated wealth found in the houses. [source id 057ay]
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun modifying בָּתִּיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the negated clause of non-labor, as with עָרִים in v.10. [source id 05VmT]
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates מִלֵּאתָלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle. [source id 05f8e]
מִלֵּאתָ֒you filledPiel perf 2ms · מִלֵּא (H4390)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, explicitly denied of Israelמלא (H4390), Piel 'to fill'; Israel did not fill these houses — again, unearned bounty. [source id 05rZF]
וּבֹרֹ֤תand cisternsconj וְ + N m pl abs · בּוֹר (H953)Coordinate direct object, third item in the catalogueבּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; water-storage installations requiring significant labor to carve from rock. [source id 05HRi]
חֲצוּבִים֙hewnQal passive ptc m pl abs · חָצוּב (H2672)Attributive passive participle modifying בֹּרֹת→ Passive participle: describes the result of a completed prior act — cisterns already carved by othersחצב (H2672) 'to hew, cut out'; passive participle, 'hewn ones' — the strenuous quarrying labor already done, not by Israel. [source id 05cpy]
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun modifying בֹּרֹתאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the negated clause, continuing the pattern of unearned gift. [source id 05N1Q]
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates חָצַבְתָּלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle. [source id 05g1a]
חָצַ֔בְתָּyou hewedQal perf 2ms · חָצַב (H2672)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, explicitly denied of Israelחצב (H2672) 'to hew, cut'; Israel did not do this quarrying labor. [source id 05sKY]
כְּרָמִ֥יםvineyardsN (c) pl abs · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Coordinate direct object, fourth item in the catalogueכֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard'; a labor-intensive, multi-year agricultural investment Israel inherits ready-made. [source id 05CQw]
וְזֵיתִ֖יםand olive treesconj וְ + N m pl abs · זַיִת (H2132)Fifth item, coordinate with כְּרָמִיםזַיִת (H2132) 'olive tree'; likewise a decades-maturing crop already producing when Israel arrives. [source id 05C3C]
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun modifying כְּרָמִים וְזֵיתִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the final negated clause of the catalogue. [source id 05bgL]
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נָטָעְתָּלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle. [source id 05NPP]
נָטָ֑עְתָּyou plantedQal perf 2ms · נָטַע (H5193)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, explicitly denied of Israelנטע (H5193) 'to plant'; completes the fivefold catalogue of unearned wealth — cities, houses, cisterns, vineyards, olives. [source id 05son]
וְאָכַלְתָּ֖and you shall eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb resuming the main line (consequence of entering the land)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — the anticipated enjoyment of the unearned bountyאכל (H398) 'to eat'; the natural, expected response to such abundance — the very thing that risks producing forgetfulness (v.12). [source id 05g5s]
וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּand you shall be satisfiedconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׂבַע (H7646)Second predicate verb, coordinate with וְאָכַלְתָּ→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — the state of fullness/satiety that sets up the following warningשׂבע (H7646) 'to be satisfied, full'; the satiation that Deuteronomy repeatedly flags as the danger zone for forgetting YHWH (cf. 8:10-14). [source id 05xyw]
12
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח אֶת יְהוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר הוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֛ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים
Take heed to yourself, lest you forget YHWH, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.
The imperative climax of the long conditional sentence begun in v.10: amid unearned prosperity (cities, houses, cisterns, vineyards — vv.10-11) and satiety (v.11), Israel must actively guard against forgetting the God who redeemed it from Egyptian slavery. Introduces the specific prohibitions of vv.13-19 (exclusive fear/service/oath; no other gods; no testing YHWH).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הִשָּׁ֣מֶרtake heed!Niphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Imperative, apodosis of the long conditional sentence (vv.10-12)→ Volitional: an urgent warning-command — the climax of the vv.10-11 protasisשׁמר (H8104), Niphal reflexive 'guard/watch oneself, take heed'; after the extended list of unearned gifts, the command is self-vigilance against forgetting. [source id 05UeH]
לְךָ֔for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffixReflexive dative reinforcing הִשָּׁמֶרלְ preposition with 2ms suffix, idiomatic reflexive reinforcement, 'watch yourself'. [source id 05LdR]
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction introducing feared resultפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, so that not'; introduces the danger being guarded against. [source id 05LmR]
תִּשְׁכַּ֖חyou forgetQal impf 2ms · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal/feared contingency — the danger the imperative warns againstשׁכח (H7911) 'to forget'; the chapter's central negative danger, the opposite of the diligent remembering commanded in vv.6-9. [source id 05NJs]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks יְהוָה as the definite object of forgetting. [source id 05AjX]
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of תִּשְׁכַּחיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the one who must never be forgotten amid prosperity. [source id 054wq]
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying יְהוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause recalling the exodus, YHWH's defining redemptive act. [source id 05Xv2]
הוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֛he brought you outHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational act of deliveranceיצא (H3318), Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus formula, YHWH's signature redemptive act, invoked as the ground of the command not to forget. [source id 05sVg]
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N (c) sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source/locative complement of הוֹצִיאֲךָאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'land of Egypt', the place of bondage. [source id 05qDj]
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive completing מֵאֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel. [source id 05A47]
מִבֵּ֥יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg construct · בַּיִת (H1004)Second source complement, in apposition to מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִםבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct with עֲבָדִים, 'house of slaves' — a vivid restatement of Egypt as the place of bondage. [source id 05zoe]
עֲבָדִֽיםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive completing מִבֵּיתעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; 'house of slaves' is Deuteronomy's standard epithet for Egypt, recurring throughout the book. [source id 05hNP]
13
אֶת יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ תִּירָ֖א וְאֹת֣וֹ תַעֲבֹ֑ד וּבִשְׁמ֖וֹ תִּשָּׁבֵֽעַ
You shall fear YHWH your God; him you shall serve, and by his name you shall swear.
Three fronted objects — YHWH... him... by his name — each preceding its verb, stake out an exclusive triad of religious loyalty (fear, cultic service, oath-swearing) as the positive counterpart to the warning against forgetting in v.12 and against other gods in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted object of תִּירָא)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the fronted, emphatic direct object of fearing. [source id 05vwy]
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of תִּירָא (fronted for emphasis)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; fronted here as the object receiving emphatic first position — YHWH, and no other, is to be feared. [source id 05grp]
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; reiterates the exclusive relationship of vv.4-5. [source id 0562m]
תִּירָ֖אyou shall fearQal impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: volitional/injunctive — a durable, defining posture of reverenceירא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; picks up the ירא of v.2, now stated as flat command rather than purpose. [source id 053iU]
וְאֹת֣וֹand himconj וְ + obj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted object of תַעֲבֹד, resuming יְהוָה)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him'; fronted before its verb for emphasis, resuming יְהוָה as the sole object of service. [source id 05VM7]
תַעֲבֹ֑דyou shall serveQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Second predicate verb, coordinate with תִּירָא→ Yiqtol: volitional/injunctive — exclusive cultic and covenantal serviceעבד (H5647) 'to serve, work, worship'; the same root behind עֶבֶד 'slave' in v.12 — Israel exchanges slavery to Pharaoh for service to YHWH alone. [source id 05MLL]
וּבִשְׁמ֖וֹand by his nameconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg construct + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Instrumental prepositional phrase (oath formula)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; swearing 'by his name' invokes YHWH's own person as guarantor — exclusive oath-taking parallels exclusive fear and service. [source id 054Gd]
תִּשָּׁבֵֽעַyou shall swearNiphal impf 2ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Third predicate verb, coordinate with תִּירָא/תַעֲבֹד→ Yiqtol: volitional/injunctive — the only legitimate object of oath-swearingשׁבע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear, take an oath'; same root as נִשְׁבַּע ('he swore') of vv.10,18 — oaths anchor both YHWH's promise and Israel's exclusive loyalty. [source id 05KJT]
14
לֹ֣א תֵֽלְכ֔וּן אַחֲרֵ֖י אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים מֵאֱלֹהֵי֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶֽם
You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you,
The negative counterpart to v.13's triad: Israel must not transfer its exclusive fear, service, and oath to the gods of the surrounding peoples. Grounds the prohibition in v.15's warning about YHWH's jealousy.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תֵלְכוּןלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle, here prohibiting apostasy. [source id 05usd]
תֵֽלְכ֔וּןyou shall walkQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive — a durable ban on following other godsהלך (H3212) 'to go, walk'; idiomatic הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי 'to go after/follow' denotes allegiance and worship, not literal motion. [source id 051WV]
אַחֲרֵ֖יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase marking the forbidden object of allegianceאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with הָלַךְ forms the standard idiom for following/worshiping a deity. [source id 05BBr]
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430), here plural and indefinite, 'gods' (contrast the exclusive singular referent in vv.4,13). [source id 05mUf]
אֲחֵרִ֑יםotheradjective m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; the fixed Deuteronomic phrase אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים 'other gods' names the perennial rival to YHWH. [source id 05KL5]
מֵאֱלֹהֵי֙from the gods ofprep מִן + N m pl construct · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Prepositional phrase in apposition, specifying אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִיםאֱלֹהִים (H430) in construct with מִן, 'from the gods of'; identifies the 'other gods' concretely as those of the surrounding nations. [source id 05ry1]
הָֽעַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive completing מֵאֱלֹהֵיעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the Canaanite and neighboring peoples whose deities Israel must not adopt. [source id 05C5C]
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָעַמִּיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause locating these peoples geographically. [source id 05hY2]
סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶֽםaround youN (c) pl construct + 2mp suffix · סָבִיב (H5439)Predicate of the relative clause (locative)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surroundings, round about'; with 2mp suffix, 'your surroundings' — the constant proximity of rival cults is itself the danger named in v.15. [source id 05dNn]
15
כִּ֣י אֵ֥ל קַנָּ֛א יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ פֶּן יֶ֠חֱרֶה אַף יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בָּ֔ךְ וְהִשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔ מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה
for YHWH your God, who is in your midst, is a jealous God — lest the anger of YHWH your God burn against you and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
Explains why other gods cannot be tolerated: YHWH's own character is 'jealous,' and his indwelling presence 'in your midst' makes his response to rivalry severe — the covenant curse of destruction and exile from the land itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for v.14's prohibitionכִּי (H3588), causal 'for, because'; grounds the prohibition of other gods in YHWH's jealous nature. [source id 05T9N]
אֵ֥לa GodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate nominativeאֵל (H410) 'God, deity'; the generic divine title, here predicated of YHWH with the attribute קַנָּא. [source id 05Fig]
קַנָּ֛אjealousadjective m sg abs · קַנָּא (H7067)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלקַנָּא (H7067) 'jealous, zealous'; a rare adjectival form describing YHWH's exclusive, ardent claim on Israel's loyalty — the same root as קִנְאָה, covenant jealousy (cf. Exod 20:5). [source id 05h9t]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — subject of the predication 'is a jealous God.' [source id 056vs]
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.' [source id 05Neq]
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase modifying יְהוָהקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; YHWH's presence 'in your midst' is precisely why divided loyalty cannot be tolerated — proximity intensifies the jealousy. [source id 05ESF]
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction introducing feared resultפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the danger of provoking YHWH's anger, echoing v.12's פֶּן תִּשְׁכַּח. [source id 054Rb]
יֶ֠חֱרֶהit may burnQal impf 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal/feared contingency — the kindling of divine angerחרה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled (of anger)'; the standard idiom חָרָה אַף, 'anger burns/kindles.' [source id 05f3R]
אַףthe anger ofN m sg abs · אַף (H639)Subject of יֶחֱרֶהאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; anger pictured as heat in the nostrils — subject of the verb 'to burn.' [source id 05eYe]
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing אַף (construct-like relation)יְהוָה (H3068); 'the anger of YHWH' — whose anger is in view. [source id 05tse]
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.' [source id 05T7X]
בָּ֔ךְagainst youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix (archaic 2fs-form spelling)Object of the preposition, goal of יֶחֱרֶהבְּ preposition with an archaic-looking 2fs suffix (as with לָךְ in vv.3,10), though the addressee Israel is masculine — an inherited orthographic form. [source id 05Ao9]
וְהִשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔and he would destroy youconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · הִשְׁמִיד (H8045)Second predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause, coordinate with יֶחֱרֶה→ Perfective (consequential): the resulting, decisive act of destruction should anger be kindledשׁמד (H8045), Hiphil 'to destroy, annihilate'; the drastic covenant curse threatened for apostasy — loss of the very land promised in vv.10-11. [source id 05dNk]
מֵעַ֖לfrom offprep מִן + prep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon' compounded with מִן, 'from off/away from'; total removal is in view. [source id 056Vu]
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN (c) pl construct · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive complement of מֵעַל, construct governing הָאֲדָמָהפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'the face of the ground' = the surface of the earth/land. [source id 05UqP]
הָאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive completing פְּנֵיאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land, soil'; here likely the land of promise specifically — annihilation from the very soil so recently granted. [source id 05y9h]
16
לֹ֣א תְנַסּ֔וּ אֶת יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִסִּיתֶ֖ם בַּמַּסָּֽה
You shall not put YHWH your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.
Adds a second concrete prohibition to the loyalty triad: no testing YHWH, illustrated by the wilderness rebellion at Massah (Exod 17:1-7) where Israel doubted YHWH's presence despite his proven faithfulness — cited by Jesus in the wilderness temptation (Matt 4:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תְנַסּוּלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle. [source id 051wY]
תְנַסּ֔וּyou shall testPiel impf 2mp · נִסָּה (H5254)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive — a lasting ban on testing YHWHנסה (H5254), Piel 'to test, try, put to proof'; to demand a sign or proof of YHWH's power/presence, distrustfully. [source id 05eab]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the definite object of testing. [source id 05woG]
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of תְנַסּוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the one Israel must not test. [source id 059sB]
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl construct + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God.' [source id 05Sgi]
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the historical precedentכַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + אֲשֶׁר) 'just as'; introduces the cautionary precedent of Massah. [source id 05CEB]
נִסִּיתֶ֖םyou testedPiel perf 2mp · נִסָּה (H5254)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, historically remembered act of testingנסה (H5254), Piel perfect 'you tested'; recalls Exod 17:1-7, where Israel demanded water and questioned 'Is YHWH among us or not?' [source id 052MH]
בַּמַּסָּֽהat Massahprep בְּ + art + proper noun · מַסָּה (H4532)Locative prepositional phrase (historical site)מַסָּה (H4532) 'testing', a place-name from the same root as תְנַסּוּ/נִסִּיתֶם — a wordplay: the place called 'Testing' where Israel tested YHWH (Exod 17:7). [source id 05mz9]
17
שָׁמ֣וֹר תִּשְׁמְר֔וּן אֶת מִצְוֺ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם וְעֵדֹתָ֥יו וְחֻקָּ֖יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּֽךְ
You shall diligently keep the commandments of YHWH your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
Balances the prohibitions of vv.14-16 with a positive summons to diligent, comprehensive obedience — commandments, testimonies, and statutes together — transitioning into the promise of good and land in v.18.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
שָׁמ֣וֹרdiligentlyQal inf abs · שָׁמַר (H8104)Infinitive absolute intensifying תִּשְׁמְרוּן→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification — 'you shall surely/diligently keep'שׁמר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; the infinitive absolute before the finite verb of the same root produces emphatic force, 'keep diligently.' [source id 05HHZ]
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּןyou shall keepQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb intensified by preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: injunctive — sustained, careful observanceשׁמר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; paired with its own infinitive absolute for emphasis, echoing the chapter's repeated call to careful obedience (vv.2-3). [source id 05JA2]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking the triad of legal terms as definite object. [source id 05Scx]
מִצְוֺ֖תthe commandments ofN f pl construct · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of תִּשְׁמְרוּן, construct governing יְהוָהמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; first member of a legal triad (commandments, testimonies, statutes) recalling v.1's threefold heading. [source id 05gFo]
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing מִצְוֺתיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — source of the commandments. [source id 056MJ]
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl construct + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God.' [source id 05ybQ]
וְעֵדֹתָ֥יוand his testimoniesconj וְ + N f pl construct + 3ms suffix · עֵדוּת (H5713)Second direct object, coordinate with מִצְוֺתעֵדוּת (H5713) 'testimony, witness'; legal stipulations viewed as YHWH's own solemn witness to the covenant relationship. [source id 0546t]
וְחֻקָּ֖יוand his statutesconj וְ + N m pl construct + 3ms suffix · חֹק (H2706)Third direct object, completing the legal triadחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; completes the triad (מִצְוֺת, עֵדֹת, חֻקִּים) — a variant of v.1's threefold formula. [source id 05vWK]
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying the legal triadאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause naming YHWH as the one who commanded these laws. [source id 05B91]
צִוָּֽךְhe commanded youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms suffix (archaic 2fs-form spelling) · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandingצוה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the same verb framing the chapter's opening (v.1) now closes this section on obedience. [source id 05GeY]
18
וְעָשִׂ֛יתָ הַיָּשָׁ֥ר וְהַטּ֖וֹב בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה לְמַ֨עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ וּבָ֗אתָ וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ
And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of YHWH, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land that YHWH swore to your fathers,
Widens obedience beyond enumerated statutes (v.17) to the broader category of 'right and good' as YHWH judges it, promising in return the fulfillment of entry into and possession of the good land sworn to the patriarchs — resuming and reinforcing the promise-logic of vv.3, 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְעָשִׂ֛יתָand you shall doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — a standing obligation beyond specific statutesעשה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; here the object is not a specific rule but a moral quality — right and good — going beyond enumerated law. [source id 05WDj]
הַיָּשָׁ֥רwhat is rightart + adjective m sg abs (substantival) · יָשָׁר (H3477)Direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָ (first term)יָשָׁר (H3477) 'straight, right, upright'; substantival use, 'the right/straight thing' — moral rectitude by YHWH's standard. [source id 05HnC]
וְהַטּ֖וֹבand the goodconj וְ + art + adjective m sg abs (substantival) · טוֹב (H2896)Second direct object, coordinate with הַיָּשָׁרטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; paired with יָשָׁר as a summary standard of covenant ethics — not merely legal compliance but positive goodness. [source id 05y8y]
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N dual construct · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (standard of judgment)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatic 'in the eyes of' = 'in the judgment/opinion of' — YHWH, not human custom, is the measure of right and good. [source id 05b5P]
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing בְּעֵינֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the standard-setter of right and good. [source id 05adv]
לְמַ֨עַן֙so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing result clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; introduces the promised outcome of doing right and good, echoing v.3. [source id 05tpc]
יִ֣יטַבit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb of purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal/consequential — promised well-beingיטב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; repeats v.3's promise formula, now attached to ethical obedience rather than the Shema alone. [source id 059g8]
לָ֔ךְfor youprep לְ + 2ms suffix (archaic 2fs-form spelling)Dative of advantageלְ preposition with the same archaic-looking suffix seen in vv.3,10, 'for you'; addressee remains masculine Israel. [source id 05ud1]
וּבָ֗אתָand you shall go inconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Second predicate verb, coordinate (continuing main line)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — anticipated entry into the landבוא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the long-awaited act of entry, echoing v.10's יְבִיאֲךָ (there causative, here of Israel's own going-in). [source id 05ZMC]
וְיָֽרַשְׁתָּ֙and you shall possessconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Third predicate verb, coordinate with וּבָאתָ→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — the promised possession of the landירשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; the same verb as v.1's לְרִשְׁתָּהּ, now stated as sequel to obedience. [source id 05EHt]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה as the definite object of possessing. [source id 05YsZ]
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וְיָרַשְׁתָּאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, here further qualified as 'good.' [source id 056p4]
הַטֹּבָ֔הthe goodart + adjective f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying הָאָרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the same term used of ethical goodness (v.18a) now describes the land itself — quality of land mirrors quality of conduct. [source id 053FP]
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause grounding the land-gift in the patriarchal oath, as in v.10. [source id 05GfA]
נִשְׁבַּ֥עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding prior act of divine oathשׁבע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear'; recalls v.10's oath language. [source id 05eA1]
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the one who swore the oath. [source id 05cQD]
לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 2ms suffix, referring again to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. [source id 05RMQ]
19
לַהֲדֹ֥ף אֶת כָּל אֹיְבֶ֖יךָ מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה
to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as YHWH has spoken.
Completes the sentence begun in v.18: possessing the good land entails YHWH's own driving-out of its previous inhabitants, fulfilling his prior spoken promise — martial confirmation of the land-oath theme running through the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
לַהֲדֹ֥ףto thrust outprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָדַף (H1920)Purpose infinitive construct (goal of possessing the land, v.18)→ Infinitive of purpose: the driving-out of prior inhabitants as part of the land-giftהדף (H1920) 'to thrust, push, drive out'; describes YHWH's forceful expulsion of the land's previous occupants ahead of Israel. [source id 05WdN]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking כָּל אֹיְבֶיךָ as the definite object of thrusting out. [source id 05jG1]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing אֹיְבֶיךָכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all your enemies' — comprehensive victory implied. [source id 0585m]
אֹיְבֶ֖יךָyour enemiesQal ptc (substantival) m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive complement of כָּל→ Participle (substantival): a durable characterization, 'those hostile to you'איב (H341), Qal participle used as a noun, 'enemy, one who is hostile'; here the Canaanite peoples opposing Israel's possession of the land. [source id 05iMR]
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N (c) pl construct + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative complement of לַהֲדֹףפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'from before you' = out of your path, clearing the way for possession. [source id 053NL]
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing confirmatory clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; grounds the promise of expulsion in YHWH's prior word. [source id 05YEU]
דִּבֶּ֥רhe has spokenPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior promissory actדבר (H1696), Piel 'to speak'; YHWH's earlier promise (cf. Exod 23:27-31; Deut 7) now recalled as guarantee. [source id 05Cch]
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the one whose word guarantees the conquest. [source id 05gkB]
20
כִּֽי יִשְׁאָלְךָ֥ בִנְךָ֛ מָחָ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר מָ֣ה הָעֵדֹ֗ת וְהַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ אֶתְכֶֽם
When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the ordinances that YHWH our God has commanded you?'
Introduces the chapter's culminating pedagogical vignette: an anticipated future son's question about the purpose of the law, to be answered in vv.21-25 with a creedal historical recital — the model behind the Passover Haggadah's 'four sons' tradition.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the child's-question scenarioכִּי (H3588), here temporal 'when'; opens the catechetical scene of vv.20-25. [source id 05Kpe]
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֥he asks youQal impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb of the temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future/anticipated — the expected future moment of the son's questionשׁאל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; introduces the catechetical dialogue that models transmission of the law across generations (cf. v.7). [source id 057Zk]
בִנְךָ֛your sonN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יִשְׁאָלְךָבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the next generation, addressed in teaching since v.7. [source id 05Ajz]
מָחָ֖רin time to comeN m sg abs (adverbial) · מָחָר (H4279)Adverbial accusative of timeמָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; used broadly for 'in the future, in time to come' — the anticipated moment when this teaching must be ready. [source id 05UQk]
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive of manner/complementation: introduces the quoted questionאמר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula introducing direct discourse. [source id 05tfV]
מָ֣הwhatinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative, predicate of the nominal questionמָה (H4100) 'what?'; opens the son's question about the meaning/purpose of the law. [source id 0543s]
הָעֵדֹ֗תthe testimoniesart + N f pl abs · עֵדוּת (H5713)Subject of the interrogative clause (first of the triad)עֵדוּת (H5713) 'testimony'; first member of the triad the son asks about, echoing v.17. [source id 05Ghn]
וְהַֽחֻקִּים֙and the statutesconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Second member of the triad, coordinateחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; second element of the son's question. [source id 05ZYn]
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםand the ordinancesconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Third member of the triad, coordinateמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'ordinance, judgment'; completing the triad, recalling v.1's opening threefold formula. [source id 059F4]
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying the triadאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause naming YHWH as the one who commanded these laws. [source id 0562h]
צִוָּ֛הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandingצוה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the recurring verb framing the whole chapter (vv.1,6,17,24-25). [source id 05huk]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name. [source id 05UDk]
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl construct + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God'; the father answering the son speaks as a member of the covenant community, 'our.' [source id 05QuN]
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; the plural addressee ('you all') recalls the whole nation as original recipient of the law at Sinai/Horeb, even as an individual son now asks. [source id 05VQo]
21
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ לְבִנְךָ֔ עֲבָדִ֛ים הָיִ֥ינוּ לְפַרְעֹ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֧נוּ יְהוָ֛ה מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה
then you shall say to your son, 'We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and YHWH brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.'
The prescribed catechetical answer opens not with abstract law but with narrative: Israel's degraded former status ('slaves to Pharaoh') and YHWH's decisive redemptive act ('brought us out... with a mighty hand') — law is grounded in gratitude for grace, not bare command.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause — the answer)→ Weqatal: volitional-instructional — the required response to the son's questionאמר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the father's catechetical answer, a miniature historical creed. [source id 057dP]
לְבִנְךָ֔to your sonprep לְ + N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of וְאָמַרְתָּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the addressee of the answer, resuming v.20's בִנְךָ. [source id 05CUv]
עֲבָדִ֛יםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate nominativeעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; the confession begins with the low estate from which YHWH delivered — the same root behind v.12's מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים and v.13's תַעֲבֹד, now contrasted (slaves to Pharaoh vs. servants of YHWH). [source id 05JqX]
הָיִ֥ינוּwe wereQal perf 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular predicate verb→ Perfective: a completed past state — Israel's former condition of bondageהיה (H1961) 'to be'; states the historical starting point of the creedal recital. [source id 05iVc]
לְפַרְעֹ֖הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative complement of עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּפַּרְעֹה (H6547), the royal title of Egypt's king; Israel's former master, contrasted with YHWH. [source id 05z3B]
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the place of the former bondage. [source id 05GFA]
וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֧נוּand he brought us outconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 1cp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal act of deliveranceיצא (H3318), Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus formula (as in v.12), narrated here in the wayyiqtol of historical recital. [source id 05Wq6]
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיּוֹצִיאֵנוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the deliverer, contrasted with Pharaoh the enslaver. [source id 05hEi]
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative complement (source) of וַיּוֹצִיאֵנוּמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of departure. [source id 05NJx]
בְּיָ֥דwith a handprep בְּ + N (c) sg abs · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying וַיּוֹצִיאֵנוּיָד (H3027) 'hand'; instrumental, 'by a hand' — anthropomorphic image of divine power exercised in the exodus. [source id 05YXv]
חֲזָקָֽהmightyadjective f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; the fixed exodus formula 'a mighty hand' (יָד חֲזָקָה), recurring throughout Deuteronomy. [source id 05dTc]
22
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן יְהוָ֡ה אוֹתֹ֣ת וּ֠מֹפְתִים גְּדֹלִ֨ים וְרָעִ֧ים בְּמִצְרַ֛יִם בְּפַרְעֹ֥ה וּבְכָל בֵּית֖וֹ לְעֵינֵֽינוּ
And YHWH showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.
Extends the catechetical recital with the plague-tradition, emphasizing both the scale ('great') and severity ('grievous') of YHWH's signs against Egypt's highest power, and grounding the testimony in direct eyewitness ('before our eyes') — historical memory as the basis of faith transmitted across generations.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּתֵּ֣ןand he gave/showedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's next redemptive actנתן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic 'give signs and wonders' = perform/display them. [source id 053yW]
יְהוָ֡הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — agent of the plagues. [source id 051Xj]
אוֹתֹ֣תsignsN (c) pl abs · אוֹת (H226)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּן (first of pair)אוֹת (H226) 'sign'; the same term as v.8's לְאוֹת, here of the plague-signs demonstrating YHWH's power. [source id 05gCC]
וּ֠מֹפְתִיםand wondersconj וְ + N m pl abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Second direct object, coordinate with אוֹתֹתמוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder, portent'; paired with אוֹת as the standard exodus-plague terminology (cf. Exod 7:3). [source id 05nPn]
גְּדֹלִ֨יםgreatadjective m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying אוֹתֹת וּמֹפְתִיםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; describes the magnitude of the plague-signs. [source id 05men]
וְרָעִ֧יםand grievousconj וְ + adjective m pl abs · רַע (H7451)Second attributive adjective, coordinate with גְּדֹלִיםרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil, grievous'; from Egypt's perspective, these signs were calamitous — the plagues as judgment. [source id 05Uos]
בְּמִצְרַ֛יִםagainst Egyptprep בְּ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative/adversative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; here בְּ has adversative force, 'against.' [source id 05gzF]
בְּפַרְעֹ֥הagainst Pharaohprep בְּ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Second adversative complement, specifying בְּמִצְרַיִםפַּרְעֹה (H6547), Pharaoh; the specific royal target of the plagues, resuming v.21. [source id 05z6v]
וּבְכָלand against allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Third adversative complement, construct governing בֵּיתוֹכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; extends the plagues' impact to Pharaoh's entire household/court. [source id 05o1v]
בֵּית֖וֹhis householdN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive completing וּבְכָלבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; here 'household, court' — Pharaoh's officials and family, all affected. [source id 058kX]
לְעֵינֵֽינוּbefore our eyesprep לְ + N dual construct + 1cp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (eyewitness testimony)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatic 'before our eyes' — the exodus generation's own eyewitness testimony, transmitted to descendants. [source id 05VLR]
23
וְאוֹתָ֖נוּ הוֹצִ֣יא מִשָּׁ֑ם לְמַ֨עַן֙ הָבִ֣יא אֹתָ֔נוּ לָ֤תֶת לָ֨נוּ֙ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ
and he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to our fathers.
Completes the historical logic: deliverance from Egypt was purposeful, aimed at fulfilling the ancient oath of land to the patriarchs — redemption and promise bound together in a single divine plan recited to the child.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאוֹתָ֖נוּand usconj וְ + obj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted object of הוֹצִיא)אֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix, 'us'; fronted for emphasis, resuming the exodus generation as beneficiaries. [source id 05PN4]
הוֹצִ֣יאhe brought outHiphil perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deliveranceיצא (H3318), Hiphil 'to bring out'; repeats v.21's exodus verb, now in perfect rather than wayyiqtol form. [source id 05T6a]
מִשָּׁ֑םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative complement (source) of הוֹצִיאשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers back to Egypt/the house of slaves. [source id 05ywW]
לְמַ֨עַן֙so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing the goal of the exodusלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; the exodus was not an end in itself but purposed toward the land-gift. [source id 05aNz]
הָבִ֣יאhe might bring inHiphil inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Purpose infinitive construct dependent on לְמַעַן→ Infinitive of purpose: the intended goal of the deliverance — entry into the landבוא (H935), Hiphil 'to bring in'; the positive counterpart to הוֹצִיא — brought out of Egypt in order to be brought into Canaan. [source id 05f9a]
אֹתָ֔נוּusobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הָבִיאאֵת (H853) with 1cp suffix, 'us'; object of the bringing-in. [source id 0565i]
לָ֤תֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Second purpose infinitive construct, coordinate with הָבִיא→ Infinitive of purpose: the land as gift, the ultimate aim of the whole redemptive sequenceנתן (H5414) 'to give'; the land's status as gift, not conquest, is reiterated at the recital's climax. [source id 05fh4]
לָ֨נוּ֙to usprep לְ + 1cp suffixIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ preposition with 1cp suffix, 'to us'; the beneficiaries of the land-gift. [source id 05Zxj]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite object of giving. [source id 05byd]
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָתֶתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, goal of the whole redemptive narrative. [source id 054Ma]
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the clause grounding the gift in the patriarchal oath. [source id 05gyw]
נִשְׁבַּ֖עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding prior act of divine oathשׁבע (H7650), Niphal 'to swear'; the oath-theme recurring throughout the chapter (vv.10,18). [source id 05M2C]
לַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּto our fathersprep לְ + N m pl construct + 1cp suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; with 1cp suffix, 'our fathers' — the speaker (father in the dialogue) identifies with the patriarchal line. [source id 05CL8]
24
וַיְצַוֵּ֣נוּ יְהוָ֗ה לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת כָּל הַחֻקִּ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה לְיִרְאָ֖ה אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְט֥וֹב לָ֨נוּ֙ כָּל הַיָּמִ֔ים לְחַיֹּתֵ֖נוּ כְּהַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
And YHWH commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear YHWH our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.
The catechetical answer reaches its rationale: YHWH's statutes were given not arbitrarily but so that Israel might fear him, prosper, and be kept alive — verified in the present experience ('as this day') of the generation reciting the answer. Prepares for the climactic theological verdict of v.25.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְצַוֵּ֣נוּand he commanded usconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms + 1cp suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the giving of the law as the sequel to redemptionצוה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the recital moves from exodus/land-promise (vv.21-23) to the giving of law as its consequence. [source id 05uZX]
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְצַוֵּנוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — lawgiver as well as redeemer. [source id 05NYw]
לַעֲשׂוֹת֙to doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/complementary infinitive construct dependent on וַיְצַוֵּנוּ→ Infinitive of purpose: the content of the command — performance of the statutesעשה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; the perennial hear-do sequence of the chapter (vv.1,3). [source id 05NKz]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking כָּל הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה as the definite object of doing. [source id 05V99]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַחֻקִּיםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all these statutes' — comprehensive obedience. [source id 05o3Y]
הַחֻקִּ֣יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Genitive complement of כָּלחֹק (H2706) 'statute'; the same term from v.1's opening triad, now the object explained to the son. [source id 05n3z]
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַחֻקִּיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the whole body of law just summarized. [source id 05hkq]
לְיִרְאָ֖הto fearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרֵא (H3372)Second purpose infinitive, coordinate with לַעֲשׂוֹת→ Infinitive of purpose: reverent fear as the disposition the law cultivatesירא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; recalls v.2's and v.13's fear-language — the law's aim is a right posture toward YHWH, not mere rule-keeping. [source id 05vp6]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking יְהוָה as the definite object of fearing. [source id 05NvP]
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לְיִרְאָהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the object of reverence the law is meant to inculcate. [source id 05ciJ]
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl construct + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God'; communal confession within the father's own answer. [source id 055L4]
לְט֥וֹבfor the goodprep לְ + adjective m sg abs (substantival) · טוֹב (H2896)Purpose/result prepositional phraseטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; substantival, 'for good' — the law's benefit to Israel, not an arbitrary burden. [source id 05i2j]
לָ֨נוּ֙for usprep לְ + 1cp suffixDative of advantage completing לְטוֹבלְ preposition with 1cp suffix, 'for us'; the beneficiaries of the law's goodness. [source id 05YPx]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַיָּמִים (adverbial accusative of duration)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the days' = continually, always. [source id 05FHp]
הַיָּמִ֔יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive completing כָּליוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'all the days' — perpetual, ongoing benefit, echoing v.2's lifelong scope. [source id 05AKQ]
לְחַיֹּתֵ֖נוּto preserve us aliveprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 1cp suffix · חִיָּה (H2421)Third purpose infinitive, coordinate with לַעֲשׂוֹת/לְיִרְאָה→ Infinitive of purpose: the law's ultimate aim — the preservation of life itselfחיה (H2421), Piel 'to keep alive, preserve life'; the law's purpose culminates in life, not death — obedience as the path of national survival and flourishing. [source id 05c7n]
כְּהַיּ֥וֹםas this dayprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative adverbial phrase modifying לְחַיֹּתֵנוּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; idiomatic, 'as at this very day' — the present, ongoing experience of preserved life as evidence of the law's benefit. [source id 05qqw]
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to the present moment of the narrator's (and reader's) own experience. [source id 05tnE]
25
וּצְדָקָ֖ה תִּֽהְיֶה לָּ֑נוּ כִּֽי נִשְׁמֹ֨ר לַעֲשׂ֜וֹת אֶת כָּל הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֗את לִפְנֵ֛י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּֽנוּ
And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before YHWH our God, as he has commanded us.
The catechetical answer's — and the chapter's — culmination: careful obedience to 'all this commandment' in YHWH's presence constitutes Israel's צְדָקָה, righteousness/right-standing. Forms an inclusio with v.1's opening 'this is the commandment,' and anchors later biblical and rabbinic reflection on the relationship between law and righteousness (cf. Paul's engagement with this verse-type logic in Rom 10:5).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וּצְדָקָ֖הand righteousnessconj וְ + N f sg abs · צְדָקָה (H6666)Subject of תִּהְיֶהצְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness, justness'; the chapter's climactic theological term — not merit earning salvation, but the covenant-faithful status of one who keeps the commandment revealed by grace. [source id 05M4D]
תִּֽהְיֶהit will beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/consequential — the promised result of obedienceהיה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the outcome that obedience yields — a status of righteousness before YHWH. [source id 05kz5]
לָּ֑נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffixDative of possession/advantage completing תִּהְיֶהלְ preposition with 1cp suffix, 'for us'; the community for whom obedience becomes righteousness. [source id 051Pz]
כִּֽיif/whenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/causal conjunction introducing the condition of righteousnessכִּי (H3588), here conditional 'if, when'; introduces the condition on which the status of righteousness rests. [source id 05fz6]
נִשְׁמֹ֨רwe keepQal impf 1cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — the ongoing, careful observance requiredשׁמר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; the chapter's recurring verb of faithful observance (vv.2-3,17). [source id 05EX2]
לַעֲשׂ֜וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/complementary infinitive dependent on נִשְׁמֹר→ Infinitive of purpose: performance as the goal of careful keepingעשה (H6213) 'to do'; closes the chapter with the same hear-keep-do sequence begun in v.3. [source id 05j2V]
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking כָּל הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת as the definite object. [source id 059Bj]
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַמִּצְוָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comprehensive scope of the commandment to be kept. [source id 054gZ]
הַמִּצְוָ֣הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive completing כָּלמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; singular, echoing v.1's opening term — the whole law summed as a single commandment. [source id 05Zbw]
הַזֹּ֗אתthisart + demonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּצְוָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; echoes the chapter's opening demonstrative וְזֹאת הַמִּצְוָה (v.1), forming an inclusio. [source id 05dMH]
לִפְנֵ֛יbeforeprep לִפְנֵי · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (in the presence of)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'before the face of' = in the presence of, under the scrutiny of YHWH. [source id 05agv]
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — obedience rendered consciously in his presence. [source id 05n4g]
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּour GodN m pl construct + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, 'our God'; the chapter's closing confession of covenant belonging. [source id 05JoF]
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing final clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; closes the chapter by grounding obedience in the fact of prior divine command. [source id 05f82]
צִוָּֽנוּhe commanded usPiel perf 3ms + 1cp suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandingצוה (H6680), Piel 'to command'; the chapter's last word echoes its first (וְזֹאת הַמִּצְוָה אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה, v.1) and its refrain throughout (vv.6,17,20,24) — the whole chapter framed by the divine command. [source id 05YnB]