Deuteronomy 10:12
What does Deuteronomy 10:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 10:12 means
Deuteronomy 10:12 encapsulates the core ethical and spiritual demands Yahweh places upon Israel. It distills the essence of the covenant relationship, emphasizing not burdensome rituals but a heartfelt devotion. The verse employs rhetorical questioning to highlight that what God requires is not complex or unattainable, but foundational attitudes and actions: reverential fear, obedient living ("walk in all His ways"), genuine love, and wholehearted service. This holistic expectation covers both inward disposition and outward conduct, painting a picture of a life entirely consecrated to God. It underscores that true worship is expressed through a life of devoted obedience stemming from love, rather than mere external conformity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, Israel, what would the Lord your God have you do, but to go in the fear of the Lord your God, walking in all his ways and loving him and doing his pleasure with all your heart and all your soul,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And now, Israel, what is Jehovah thy God asking from thee, except to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou fear the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, and love him, and serve the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thyGod require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thyGod, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thyGod with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Context
Deuteronomy 10:12 follows a review of Israel’s history of rebellion and God’s continued faithfulness, including the renewal of the covenant and the giving of the second set of tablets. Moses is addressing the entire nation of Israel on the plains of Moab, reiterating God’s laws before they enter the promised land. This verse serves as a pivotal summary, immediately following a reminder of God’s power and impartiality (v. 17-18) and a call to circumcision of the heart (v. 16), setting the stage for further detailed commands in the subsequent verses. It transitions from historical review to a direct appeal for covenant loyalty.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 5:2
Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments.
- Jeremiah 32:39
and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
- Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
- Psalms 34:9
Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him.
- 1 John 5:5
And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
- Ezekiel 11:20
that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
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