Deuteronômio 29
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Deuteronômio 29:1
29:1 "the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses" This is Moses' third address in Deuteronomy (chapters 29-30). He reminds Israel that these laws are from YHWH, not himself. See outline of Moses' sermons in Introduction to Deuteronomy, VIII. ▣ "besides the covenant" This refers to two covenants at Mt. Sinai/Horeb (Exodus 19-24) on the plains of Moab (cf. Deut. 1:5; 5:1,3,5-26). It was spelled out clearly in Exodus 20-31. It was renewed in Exodus 34; Deuteronomy 29-30; and Joshua 24. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT
Deuteronômio 29:2-9
29:2 "all Israel" This usually refers to only the elders, but because of Deut. 29:1-13, it seems to refer to the entire nation. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (the name) 29:2-3 "You have seen. . .your eyes have seen" This is a figure of speech (cf. Deut. 4:34; 7:19) because these people were the children of those who had seen (cf. Num. 14:29; Deut. 5:2-4). Verses 2-8 form a historical review like chapters 1-4, which was a common element of Near Eastern treaties. ▣ "sign and wonders" These terms "signs" (BDB 16) and "wonders" (BDB 68) are mentioned often in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 11:3; 26:8; 28:46; 29:2; 34:11) to help the current generation of Israelis to remember YHWH's powerful, gracious acts of deliverance and provisions (cf. Deut. 29:5-7) during the Exodus and Wilderness Wandering Period. SPECIAL TOPIC: SIGN (OT) 29:4 "to this day" This recurrent phrase may denote a later editor. See full note at Deut. 3:14. The blindness of Israel to their special place in YHWH's eternal redemptive plan was not just an ancient problem (i.e. Deut. 29:4), but also a current problem (cf. Matt. 13:14-17; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10; John 12:36b-43; Acts 28:26-27; and especially Rom. 11:25-32). The gospel is described as the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (cf. Acts 2:23; also note 3:18; 4:28; 13:29). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREKNOWLEDGE ▣ "the Lord has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear" The Israelites of the exodus and wilderness wanderings saw the physical, but did not comprehend the spiritual dimension of YHWH's actions (i.e. they were a special covenant people who were part of an eternal redemptive plan). This phrase becomes imagery for spiritual blindness and hardness (cf. Isa. 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27; Rom. 11:8). There is a word play between Deut. 29:2, "you have seen" and Deut. 29:4, where it is stated they cannot see! This may refer to Israel's rebellions mentioned in Deut. 9:7-24. Without faith God is invisible in history, but with faith history becomes God's track record. It takes a gift (i.e. "given," BDB 678, KB 733, Qal PERFECT) of YHWH's grace for fallen humans to sense and understand His presence! 29:5 "clothes have not worn out. . .sandal has not worn out" The Jewish commentator, Rashi, says clothes and shoes grew as the children grew (cf. Deut. 8:4; Neh. 9:21). 29:6 Verses 5 and 6 show God's providential care during the entire period of judgment known as the Wilderness Wandering Period (cf. Num. 14:26-35; Deut. 8:2-3). The Israelites were to help maintain the relationship by focusing on YHWH (not food, drink produced by human hands, but on His provision). But these verses also show the continual spiritual blindness of YHWH's people (cf. Isa. 6:9-10). SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW 29:7 This shows YHWH's military presence on behalf of Israel (cf. Num. 21:21-24, 33-35; and Deut. 2:26-3:17). 29:8 These are the tribes that settled on the eastern side of Jordan (cf. Deut. 3:12-13; Num. 32:28-32). 29:9 "So keep the words. . .do them" The conditional nature of the covenant (i.e. "keep," BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal PERFECT with waw and "do," BDB 793, KB 889, Qal PERFECT with waw) is recurrent in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 4:2,6,9,15,23,40; 5:1,10,12,29,32; 6:2,3,12,17,25; 7:9,11,12; 8:1,2,6,11; 10:13; 11:1,8,16,22,32; 12:1,28,32; 15:5; 16:12; 17:19; 19:9; 24:8; 26:16,17,18; 27:1; 28:1,9,13,15,45,58; 29:9; 30:10,16; 31:12; 32:46). Obedience is a visible measure of the spiritual faithfulness of Israel. To love YHWH is to obey YHWH! This verse was later read by the rabbis when some of the people were publicly whipped (cf. Deut. 25:3). It contains 13 words to correspond to 13 stripes. Psalm 78:38 was also read. SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "that you may prosper in all that you do" This VERB (BDB 968, KB 1328, Hiphil IMPERFECT) usually means "be prudent" or "circumspect," but in the Hiphil stem it can mean "prosper," "have success" (cf. Josh. 1:7-8; 1 Sam. 18:5,14,15; 1 Kgs. 2:3; 2 Kgs. 18:7; 1 Chr. 22:13). Notice that success and prosperity are contingent on obedience!
Deuteronômio 29:10-13
29:10 "You stand" Notice the different groupings of Israeli society mentioned in Deut. 29:10-11: chiefs, BDB 910 tribal members, BDB 986 tribal elders, BDB 278 tribal officers, BDB 1009, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE all the men of Israel, BDB 481, 35, 975 (same as #2) children, BDB 381 wives, BDB 61 resident aliens, BDB 158 servants, described in their servant tasks All these different groups are called upon to attest to their commitment to the covenant (cf. Deut. 29:14-15). This was a formal covenant renewal ceremony! The number of groups mentioned varies from translation to translation. Some translations (REB) assume that #1 and #2 should be combined (e.g. KJV, "your captains of your tribes," JPSOA, "your tribal leaders"). The ASV, NASB, NIV all have #1-4. 29:12-13 This is a covenant renewal text. Notice how "the covenant" (BDB 136) and "the oath" (BDB 46) are parallel (i.e. Gen. 26:28). YHWH's regulations are linked to His promises! YHWH wants to culminate the promises made to the Patriarchs in Genesis by establishing a people (cf. Deut. 28:9), a people who reflect His character! SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 29:12 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, LXX, JPSOA "that you may enter into the covenant" "and you are about to pass into the covenant "that you may not transgress the covenant" The VERBAL (BDB 716, KB 778, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) literally means "pass over." It is used only in the sense of entering into a covenant here. It is possibly connected to the idea of "cutting" a covenant by passing between the parts of the sacrificial animal as in Gen. 15:17-18. The inference is that the fate of the animal will pass on to the one making the covenant if they disobey the stipulations. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT
Deuteronômio 29:14-21
29:15 "and with those who are not with us here today" This refers to future generations (cf. Deut. 29:22,29; 5:3-5; 12:25,28). 29:16-17 These verses form a summary parenthesis about the pagan nations Israel encountered in its pilgrimage to the Promised Land. ▣ "their abominations" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION ▣ "their idols" See SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY 29:18 The warnings against covenant disobedience (esp. idolatry) is clearly spelled out for each and every member and social group in Israeli society (i.e. individuals, families, tribes). SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC ▣ "a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood" This phrase is parallel to "whose heart turns away" (BDB 815, KB 937, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). The poison is disobedience and the consequences are severe! YHWH will never be willing to forgive him (Deut. 29:20, negated Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 2, KB 3) and a Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 699, KB 757). YHWH's anger and jealousy will burn against him (Deut. 29:20, BDB 798, KB 896, Qal IMPERFECT). Every curse will rest on him (Deut. 29:20, BDB 918, KB 1181, Qal PERFECT with waw). This same VERB describes sin as a crouching animal in Gen. 4:7. YHWH will blot out his name from under heaven (Deut. 29:20, BDB 562, KB 567, Qal PERFECT with waw). YHWH will single him out for adversity (Deut. 29:21, BDB 95, KB 110, Hiphil PERFECT with waw). 29:19 "he will boast, saying, 'I have peace though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart" This is the recurrent attitude of sinners who take God's patience as an excuse to continue to rebel. God's judgment, though often seemingly delayed, will call every stubborn covenant violation into account (i.e. we reap what we sow, cf. Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS ▣ "to destroy the watered land with the dry" "as though the drunkard could be included with the the sober" "(thus bringing disaster on moist and dry alike)" "That would destroy all of you, good and evil alike" "much water drives away thirst" "to the utter ruin of moist and dry alike" "This will destroy the watered ground with the parched" This is a proverb whose exact meaning is unsure, but the context demands an idiom of complete destruction. Because of one stubborn violator of YHWH's covenant all Israel would suffer (i.e. Hebrew corporality, e.g. Adam, Achan, Jesus). Today we might say, "one bad apple spoils the barrel" or "one bad egg spoils the omelet." SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAITH IS CORPORATE 29:20 "The Lord shall never be willing to forgive him" This hyperbole must be seen against the background of YHWH's willingness to forgive and accept any repentant believer (i.e. Deut. 30:1-10). Some Bible teachers link this verse with Ps. 103:9 and assert that there is a limit or threshold to YHWH's grace. I do not accept this. Psalm 103:9 in context (i.e. Deut. 29:8-14) shows He will forgive! The problem is not God's forgiveness, but fallen, rebellious mankind's continual sin! The relationship is broken from mankind's side and it remains broken from mankind's side. Unbelief and rebellion issue in destruction, both temporally and eternally! ▣ "jealousy" This term (BDB 888) is derived from something dyed an intense red (i.e. when anger or zeal caused the blood to flush the face). Human emotions are used to describe YHWH's emotions (anthropomorphism, see SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN). He is zealous for His people (cf. Isa. 26:11). This zealousness can turn to jealousy (cf. Ezek. 5:13; 16:38,42; 23:25; 36:5,6; 38:19; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8). SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUS. . .ZEALOUS ▣ "will rest on him" "would settle on him" "will descend on them" TEV, NJB "will fall on him" "will fall heavily on him" "will attach themselves to him" Peshitta, NASB margin "shall lie upon him" Jewish Study Bible note "will crouch down upon him" The MT has the VERB (BDB 918, KB 1181, Qal PERFECT with waw), which means "stretch oneself out," "lie down." This same VERB is used as imagery for sin crouching at Cain's door in Gen. 4:7. It is a personification of sin and evil, as an animal lying in wait to destroy. ▣ "will blot out his name from under heaven" This idiom means (1) no children or (2) death (cf. Gen. 7:4; Exod. 17:14; 32:32; Deut. 9:14; 2 Kgs. 14:27; Ps. 9:5-6). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD 29:21 "all the curses of the covenant" See Deut. 29:27-28; 27:15-26; 28:15-19,20-26,27-37,38-48,49-57; also note Leviticus 26.
Deuteronômio 29:22-28
29:22-23 YHWH's blessing, which was meant to attract those who did not know Him, will be turned into a mocking questioning by foreigners: plagues of the land, Deut. 29:22 diseases, Deut. 29:22 land is brimstone, Deut. 29:23 land is salt, Deut. 29:23 land is a burning waste, Deut. 29:23 land is sown, and no germination, Deut. 29:23 land is unproductive, Deut. 29:23 land has no grass, Deut. 29:23 land like the cities of the Plain (cf. Gen. 19:24) All of these YHWH sent (cf. Deut. 29:22-28). 29:22 "Now the generation to come. . .will say" This literary form (i.e. children asking questions) is seen earlier in Deut. 6:20, which reflects Exod. 13:8,14; 10:2; 12:26,27. Deuteronomy often speaks of teaching the children (e.g. Deut. 4:10; 6:7). 29:23 "All its land is brimstone and salt" The land will be as the southern Dead Sea area, which was the site of Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Gen. 19:24-26). 29:24 "And all nations will say" Israel was a sign to all nations concerning YHWH (i.e. Ezek. 36:22-36). It was meant to be a blessing sign but even if judgment, still a sign! 29:25 "Because they forsook the covenant" This was and is the basic reason for the divine curses (cf. 2 Kgs. 17:9-23; 2 Chr. 36:13-21). 29:26 "gods. . .gods" Literally this is Elohim. This term is PLURAL. It usually is translated "God" (i.e. when combined with a SINGULAR VERB). It can also refer to angelic beings and judges. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL OF ANGELIC BEINGS ▣ "have not known" This denotes both information and an intimate, personal relationship. See SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW ▣ NASB, NRSV, JPSOA, LXX "He had not allotted to them" "He has not given to them" "no part of their heritage from him" "whom the Lord had not assigned to them" "nor had they divided spoils among them" The question is "Who does 'them' refer to?" Israel (LXX) pagan gods Number 2 may refer to national angels (cf. Deut. 32:8 in the LXX; also Isa. 24:21; Dan. 10:13,20; see Jewish Study Bible, p. 435). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND DEMONS 29:27 "the anger of the Lord burned against the land" The land is effected by Israel's sin (cf. Gen. 3:17) and human sin in general (cf. Rom. 8:18-22). God uses natural phenomena to redirect mankind's thoughts and priorities. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE 29:28 "the Lord uprooted them" This VERB (BDB 684, KB 737, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. 1 Kgs. 14:15; 2 Chr. 7:20; Jer. 12:14) is the opposite of "planted"! The covenant has been reversed! Notice how YHWH's actions are described: in anger ‒ BDB 60 I in fury ‒ BDB 404 in great wrath ‒ BDB 893 and 152 cast them into another land (i.e. exile, BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw) SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY ▣ "as it is this day" See full note at Deut. 3:14. This may denote a later editor.
Deuteronômio 29:29
29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God" This refers to the destiny of humans (cf. Deut. 29:19-20 complete knowledge of YHWH to His future plans ▣ "but the things revealed belong to us" Humans are responsible for the light they have. If they have no contact with the Bible or the gospel, they are responsible for the revelation in nature (cf. Ps. 19:1-6; Romans 1; see full note at John 14:6) and an inner moral nature (cf. Romans 2). If they have been exposed to Scripture, they are responsible for its content! Believers can know truth and are responsible for it!