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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 4:1 Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/05_Deu_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 4:1 - An Exhortation to Obedience" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/4-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-29.htm" title="Deuteronomy 3:29">◄</a> Deuteronomy 4:1 <a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm" title="Deuteronomy 4:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New International Version</a> Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New King James Version</a> “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you will live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, in order that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “So now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to do, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Now, O Israel, listen and pay attention to the statutes and the judgments (God’s legal decisions) which I am teaching you to do, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers, giveth you. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Israel, listen to these laws and teachings! If you obey them, you will live, and you will go in and take the land that the LORD is giving you. He is the God your ancestors worshiped, <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, giveth you. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Israel, listen to the laws and rules I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you will live and be able to enter and take possession of the land that the LORD God of your ancestors is giving you. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Moses said to the people, "Obey all the laws that I am teaching you, and you will live and occupy the land which the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the ordinances that I'm teaching you to observe so you may live and go in to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is about to give you. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now, Israel, pay attention to the statutes and ordinances I am about to teach you, so that you might live and go on to enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now therefore hearken, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and to the judgments which I am teaching you to do, so that you live, and have gone in, and possessed the land which YHWH God of your fathers is giving to you. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And now, Israel, hearken unto the statutes, and unto the judgments which I am teaching you to do, so that ye live, and have gone in, and possessed the land which Jehovah God of your fathers is giving to you. <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now Israel, hear to the laws and to the judgments which I am teaching you to do, so that ye shall live and go in and possess the land which Jehovah the God of your fathers gave to you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And now, O Israel, hear the commandments and judgments which I teach thee: that doing them, thou mayst live, and entering in mayst possess the land which the Lord the God of your fathers will give you. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “And now, O Israel, listen to the precepts and judgments which I am teaching to you, so that, by doing these, you may live, and you may enter and possess the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, will give to you. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Now therefore, Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW therefore hearken, O Israel, to the law and to the judgments which I teach you this day, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD the God of your fathers gives you. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> "Therefore Israel, hear the Law and judgments that I teach you to do today, that you shall live and you shall enter and you shall possess the land that LORD JEHOVAH, the God of your fathers, gives to you.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, giveth you. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And now, Israel, hear the ordinances and judgments, all that I teach you this day to do: that ye may live, and be multiplied, and that ye may go in and inherit the land, which the Lord God of your fathers gives you. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=1101" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">An Exhortation to Obedience</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">Hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">O Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2706.htm" title="2706: ha·ḥuq·qîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Something prescribed or owed, a statute. From chaqaq; an enactment; hence, an appointment.">the statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: ham·miš·pā·ṭîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Judgment. ">and ordinances</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3925.htm" title="3925: mə·lam·mêḏ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. to teach:(un-) accustomed, X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er,ing).">am teaching</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to follow,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: tiḥ·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">you may live</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and may enter</a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: wî·riš·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">and take possession</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of your fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you.</a> 2You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ... <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a> Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... <a href="/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a> If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-6</a> By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: ... <a href="/luke/11-28.htm">Luke 11:28</a> But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” <a href="/hebrews/2-1.htm">Hebrews 2:1</a> We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. <a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a> But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a> Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. <a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a> All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. <a href="/joshua/1-7.htm">Joshua 1:7-8</a> Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. / This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. <a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">Psalm 119:1-2</a> Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. / Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. <a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1-2</a> Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. / For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. <a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a> Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. <a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11</a> And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now therefore listen, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers gives you.unto the statutes.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-8.htm">Deuteronomy 4:8,45</a> And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? … <a href="/deuteronomy/5-1.htm">Deuteronomy 5:1</a> And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.<a href="/deuteronomy/6-1.htm">Deuteronomy 6:1,2</a> Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: … that ye may<a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a> Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.<a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11,21</a> And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them… <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a> For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-46.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-18.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/36-13.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-29.htm">Live</a> <a href="/numbers/36-13.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/numbers/31-30.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-20.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-28.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/numbers/30-16.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-11.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-11.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-13.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-30.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-30.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-44.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-33.htm">Live</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-13.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 4</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">An exhortation to obedience</a> 41. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan</a> 44. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-44.htm">Recapitulation</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Hear now, O Israel This call to attention emphasizes the importance of the message. It is a direct address to the nation of Israel, highlighting their identity as God's chosen people. The phrase "Hear now" is a common biblical exhortation, urging the audience to listen and obey. This echoes the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, which begins with "Hear, O Israel," underscoring the importance of listening to God's commands.the statutes and ordinances These terms refer to the laws and decrees given by God. "Statutes" often denote permanent laws, while "ordinances" can refer to specific regulations or judgments. This legal framework was intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation. The giving of the law is a central theme in the Pentateuch, with the Ten Commandments as a foundational element (Exodus 20).I am teaching you to follow Moses, as the mediator of God's law, is instructing the Israelites. This teaching role is significant, as it underscores the importance of passing down God's commandments through generations. The emphasis on teaching aligns with the biblical mandate for parents to instruct their children in the ways of the Lord (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm">Deuteronomy 6:7</a>).so that you may live Obedience to God's laws is linked to life and prosperity. This promise of life is both physical and spiritual, suggesting that adherence to God's commandments leads to a flourishing existence. This concept is reiterated in <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a>, where choosing life is equated with loving and obeying God.and may enter and take possession of the land The land promise is a central theme in the Abrahamic covenant (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a>). The land of Canaan is portrayed as a gift from God, contingent upon Israel's obedience. This phrase underscores the conditional nature of the covenant, where possession of the land is tied to faithfulness to God's commands.that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you This phrase connects the present generation of Israelites to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reaffirming the continuity of God's promises. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes God's covenantal faithfulness. The land is described as a divine gift, highlighting God's sovereignty and grace. This promise is fulfilled in the conquest narratives of Joshua, where the Israelites take possession of the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's commandments and statutes to the people. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are about to enter the Promised Land. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a> The land of Canaan, which God promised to the forefathers of Israel as an inheritance. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is giving the land to His people. 5. <a href="/topical/s/statutes_and_ordinances.htm">Statutes and Ordinances</a> The laws and commandments given by God through Moses for the people to follow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a> The Hebrew word for "listen" (shama) implies not just hearing but obeying. As believers, we are called to actively listen to God's Word and apply it in our lives. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_leads_to_life.htm">Obedience Leads to Life</a> The promise of life and possession of the land is contingent upon obedience. This principle remains true for Christians today, as obedience to God's Word leads to spiritual life and blessings. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> The passage reminds us of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as He promised the land to Israel, He is faithful to His promises to us. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_god's_law.htm">The Role of God's Law</a> The statutes and ordinances are not burdensome but are given for the well-being of God's people. They guide us in living a life that honors God. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_inheritance.htm">Preparation for Inheritance</a> Just as Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land, believers are called to prepare for their eternal inheritance by living according to God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 4</a> <a href="/q/what_lessons_does_moses_teach_in_deut..htm">What lessons does Moses teach in Deuteronomy?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_laws_and_decrees.htm">What are laws, commands, decrees, and statutes?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jer._6_16_align_with_deut..htm">How does Jeremiah 6:16’s call for following the “ancient paths” align or conflict with similar instructions elsewhere in Scripture, such as Deuteronomy’s repeated emphasis on covenant law? </a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_deut._4_2_with_later_changes.htm">Deuteronomy 4:2 restricts adding or subtracting from God’s commands—how is this reconciled with later scriptural expansions or revisions? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>IV.(1) Now therefore hearken.--The whole point of the exhortation in this chapter is the same which we find in Joshua's address to the people (Joshua 24), that they should serve Jehovah. And the ground of the exhortation is His revelation of Himself in Horeb as their God.The statutes . . . and the judgments.--Perhaps we should say "institutions and requirements" in modern language. For "judgments," see Exodus 21-23.That ye may live, and go in.--Life is put before possession. The penalty of the broken law is death.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-40. - ADMONITIONS AND EXHORTATIONS. Moses, having presented to the people certain facts in their recent history which had in them a specially animating and encouraging tendency, proceeds to direct his discourse to the inculcation of duties and exhortations to obedience to the Divine enactments. This portion also of his address is of an introductory character as well as what precedes. Verses 1-8. - Exhortation to the observance of the Law generally. The Law was to be kept as a complete whole; nothing was to be taken from it or added to it; it comprised the commandments of Jehovah, and therefore they were not only to do it as what Moses, their leader and lawgiver, had enjoined, but to keep it as a sacred deposit, not to be altered or tampered with, and to observe it as what God their Sovereign had enacted for them. The dignity and worth of the Law are here asserted, and also its completeness as given by Moses. Any addition to it, no less than any subtraction from it, would mar its integrity and affect its perfection. Altered circumstances in process of time might, indeed, lead to the desuetude of some parts of the Mosaic enactments, and new institutions or laws might be required to meet a new condition of things, or even in that new condition to fence and sustain the primitive code; but that cede was to remain intact in the Statute-Book, and no alterations were to be made upon it that should affect its substance or nullify any of its principles. New laws and institutions appointed by God would, of course, have the same authority as those originally ordained by Moses; and such, it can hardly be doubted, were in point of fact under the Hebrew monarchy introduced by the prophets speaking in the name of God. The Law, nevertheless, was kept substantially entire. Even under the new dispensation, the Law has not been abolished. Christ, as he himself declared, came not to destroy the Law and the prophets, but to fulfill them (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>). The sin of the Pharisees, for which they were censured by our Lord, lay in this, that they taught for doctrines the commandments of men (<a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9</a>), and had "made the commandments of God of none effect by their traditions" (<a href="/matthew/15-6.htm">Matthew 15:6</a>). Verses 1, 2. - Now therefore; rather And now. With this Moses passes from referring to what God had done for Israel to admonish Israel as to what they had to do as the subjects of God and the recipients of his favor. They were to give heed to all the statutes and judgments which Moses, as the servant of God, had taught them, in order that they might do them. Statutes (חֻקִּים), the things prescribed or enacted by law, whether moral, ritual, or civil; judgments (מִשְׁפָטִים), rights, whether public or private, all that each could claim as his due, and all he was bound to render to God or to his fellow-men as their due. These two comprehend the whole Law as binding on Israel. On the doing of these by the people depended life; these had been made known to them, not merely for their information, but specifically that they might do them, and thereby have life; not long life in the Promised Land alone, though this also is included (ver. 40; <a href="/deuteronomy/5-33.htm">Deuteronomy 5:33</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-2.htm">Deuteronomy 6:2</a>, etc.), but that higher life, that life which man lives "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord" (<a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a>; cf. <a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11</a>; <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>), that spiritual life which is in God's favor (<a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a>). Enjoying this life as the fruit of obedience, they should also possess as their inheritance the laud promised to their fathers. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Hear שְׁמַ֤ע (šə·ma‘) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently now, וְעַתָּ֣ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time O Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc the statutes הַֽחֻקִּים֙ (ha·ḥuq·qîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2706.htm">Strong's 2706: </a> Something prescribed or owed, a statute and ordinances הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים (ham·miš·pā·ṭîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style I אָֽנֹכִ֛י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I am teaching מְלַמֵּ֥ד (mə·lam·mêḏ) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3925.htm">Strong's 3925: </a> To exercise in, learn you אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem) Direct object marker | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case to follow לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make so that לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> Purpose -- intent you may live, תִּֽחְי֗וּ (tiḥ·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive enter, וּבָאתֶם֙ (ū·ḇā·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go and take possession of וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם (wî·riš·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3423.htm">Strong's 3423: </a> To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin the land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land that אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD, יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of your fathers, אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father is giving you. נֹתֵ֥ן (nō·ṯên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:1 Now Israel listen to the statutes (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 3:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 3:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 4:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>