Deuteronomy 1:18 kjv
And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
Deuteronomy 1:18 nkjv
And I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do.
Deuteronomy 1:18 niv
And at that time I told you everything you were to do.
Deuteronomy 1:18 esv
And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.
Deuteronomy 1:18 nlt
"At that time I gave you instructions about everything you were to do.
Deuteronomy 1 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 18:20 | You shall teach them the statutes and the laws... and the work that they shall do. | Moses teaching specific statutes for life. |
| Lev 18:4 | You shall observe My judgments and keep My statutes... I am the LORD your God. | Emphasis on obeying God's judgments. |
| Num 15:40 | Remember and do all My commandments... be holy for your God. | To do all commandments for holiness. |
| Deut 4:1 | Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the judgments which I teach you... to live. | Moses urging Israel to obey to live. |
| Deut 4:5 | See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me. | Moses fulfilling his role as instructor. |
| Deut 4:8 | What great nation has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law...? | Divine laws are unique and righteous. |
| Deut 4:45 | These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments... in Israel. | Summarizing the comprehensive nature of the Law. |
| Deut 5:31 | But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments... | God giving all commands directly. |
| Deut 6:24 | And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes... for our good. | The purpose of the commands is for Israel's good. |
| Deut 8:6 | You shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. | Obeying commands involves lifestyle and reverence. |
| Deut 11:8 | Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today... | Commands are ongoing and require attention. |
| Deut 12:32 | Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to nor take away from it. | Strict adherence to divine instructions. |
| Josh 1:7 | Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law... | Courage needed for complete obedience. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | To obey is better than sacrifice... | Emphasis on obedience over ritual. |
| Psa 119:1 | Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! | Blessing associated with living by God's law. |
| Psa 119:128 | Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right... | Acknowledgment of the completeness of God's Word. |
| Jer 7:23 | But this is what I commanded them: ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God...’ | God's primary command is obedience. |
| Matt 7:24 | Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man. | Jesus teaches active doing of His words. |
| John 14:15 | If you love Me, keep My commandments. | Love for Christ expressed through obedience. |
| Jas 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only... | Practical application of the Word is crucial. |
| Rev 22:18-19 | I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book... | Warning against altering God's words. |
Deuteronomy 1 verses
Deuteronomy 1 18 Meaning
Deuteronomy 1:18 signifies that Moses, acting as God's divinely appointed leader, had fully and precisely instructed the Israelite nation concerning all the divine laws, statutes, and judgments they were obligated to observe. This comprehensive instruction, given at the foundational time of their covenant at Horeb (Sinai), established the complete path of obedience required for their covenant relationship with God and their national life. It underscores the clear and all-encompassing nature of God's revealed will.
Deuteronomy 1 18 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 1 serves as the historical prologue to Moses' first speech, delivered on the plains of Moab before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. This generation was about to embark on a new era, and Moses was reviewing their forty years of wilderness wandering. Verses 1:9-17 specifically recall the advice given to Moses in Exodus 18 by his father-in-law, Jethro, leading to the appointment of capable judges to administer justice among the people.
Verse 1:18 then broadens this recollection from the specific judicial instructions to encompass the entire body of divine commandments. It is Moses reminding the people that he had communicated all God's will to them "at that time" – referring to the critical, formative period at Mount Horeb (Sinai) where the covenant was established and the comprehensive Law was given. This foundational declaration sets the stage for the detailed reiteration of the Law that follows throughout the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the paramount importance of remembering and obeying all of God's directives for their continued blessing and existence as His people.
Deuteronomy 1 18 Word analysis
- And I commanded: Hebrew וָאֲצַוֶּה֙ (va'atzaveh). The root צוה (tsavah) means to command, instruct, order, appoint. This highlights Moses' authoritative role as God's messenger and agent. The verb emphasizes the definitive and non-negotiable nature of the instruction.
- you: Hebrew אֶתְכֶ֔ם (etchem). This plural pronoun indicates that the commands were directed to the entire congregation of Israel, not just the leaders or a select few. The obligation extended to every individual.
- at that time: Hebrew בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא (ba'et hahi). This phrase points to the specific historical moment following the Exodus, primarily the time spent at Horeb (Mount Sinai), where the Law was formally given and the covenant with God was established. It underscores the foundational nature of these commands.
- all the things: Hebrew אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֗ים (et kol-had'varim). "Kol" means 'all' or 'every'. "Had'varim" (the words/matters/things) here signifies the comprehensive body of divine statutes, ordinances, judgments, and ethical instructions that God gave through Moses. This stresses the complete and exhaustive nature of God's revelation for their life and conduct. It was not a partial or selective revelation but a full instruction.
- that you should do: Hebrew אֲשֶׁ֖ר תַּעֲשֽׂוּן (asher ta'asun). The verb עשׂה (asah), meaning 'to do', 'make', 'perform', or 'carry out', is used. This emphasizes the practical and active obedience required. God's commands were not merely for intellectual understanding or contemplation but were meant to be put into practice in daily life, shaping the character and behavior of the Israelite nation.
Words-group analysis:
- "And I commanded you at that time": This phrase encapsulates the divine authority and the historical moment of Israel's foundational instruction. Moses, under God's explicit direction, delivered a comprehensive and binding set of commands to the entire community, laying the groundwork for their national existence as God's covenant people.
- "all the things that you should do": This powerful and all-encompassing phrase signifies the absolute completeness and practicality of God's revealed will. It makes clear that Israel received full disclosure of their responsibilities, leaving no ambiguity regarding the expected actions and way of life for those in covenant with Yahweh. This directly counters any notion that God's expectations were vague or uncommunicated; they were explicitly and thoroughly revealed to be implemented in their daily lives.
Deuteronomy 1 18 Bonus section
The phrase "all the things that you should do" in this verse establishes a powerful precedent against any idea of selectively obeying God's commands or diminishing their scope. It directly implies that God's revealed will is complete and requires a holistic response from His people. This principle finds resonance throughout the Bible, emphasizing that obedience is not pick-and-choose, but rather a submission to the entirety of divine instruction. This commitment to all of God's Word remains a fundamental expectation for His followers, pointing towards Christ's fulfillment of the Law and His call to obey all that He commanded His disciples (Matt 28:20).
Deuteronomy 1 18 Commentary
Deuteronomy 1:18 acts as a crucial transitional verse and a summary statement within Moses' first discourse. Having recounted the challenges and appointments related to judgment (vv. 9-17), Moses broadens his focus to stress the totality of the Law given at Sinai. The core message is the comprehensiveness of divine instruction. God did not give partial or vague directions; through Moses, He provided a full and complete revelation ("all the things") of how His people were to live ("that you should do"). This complete instruction served as the blueprint for Israel's entire society, economy, judiciary, and personal conduct.
The verse also implicitly lays the groundwork for Israel's accountability. If all things were commanded, and thoroughly so, then there was no excuse for disobedience. It reminds both the original audience and believers today that God's expectations for His people are clearly articulated in His Word. True faith expresses itself in diligent and active obedience to God's full counsel, understanding that His commands are not arbitrary burdens but guides for life, leading to blessing and covenant faithfulness.