Deuteronomy 10 16

Deuteronomy 10:16 kjv

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deuteronomy 10:16 nkjv

Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

Deuteronomy 10:16 niv

Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.

Deuteronomy 10:16 esv

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.

Deuteronomy 10:16 nlt

Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.

Deuteronomy 10 verses

Deuteronomy 10 16 Meaning

The verse Deuteronomy 10:16 commands Israel to undergo a spiritual transformation, symbolizing an inward change of heart and will. It instructs them to remove the inner obstinacy and rebellion that prevents them from fully obeying and loving God. This "circumcision of the heart" signifies putting away spiritual impurity and hardness, becoming truly responsive and devoted to the Lord, in stark contrast to their historical tendency to be disobedient and "stiff-necked."

Deuteronomy 10 16 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 10 recounts Moses' retelling of key events and renewed covenant instructions following the incident of the Golden Calf and the breaking of the first tablets of the Law (recounted in chapter 9). Moses reminds Israel of God's patience, grace, and renewal of the covenant by providing a second set of tablets. He emphasizes God's sovereign greatness, His choice of Israel (10:14-15), and therefore the profound obligation Israel has to fear, walk in, love, serve, and keep His commandments (10:12-13). Verse 16 serves as the spiritual prerequisite for truly living out these commandments, emphasizing that outward obedience is insufficient without an internal transformation of devotion and submission. It addresses the deep-seated spiritual rebellion that characterized Israel throughout their history, particularly evident in the wilderness wanderings.

Deuteronomy 10 16 Word analysis

• Circumcise (מלתם - multem): This is the Piel imperative form of the verb mul (מול), meaning "to circumcise." While it literally refers to the physical cutting away of the foreskin as a sign of the covenant with Abraham (Gen 17:9-14), here it is used metaphorically. The Piel stem emphasizes intensity or totality of the action. In this context, it signifies a radical, decisive removal of inner spiritual impediment. This spiritual meaning is prominent throughout the prophets and NT, underscoring that God desires internal transformation over mere external ritual observance.
• therefore (ועתה - v'attah): This conjunction "and now" acts as a logical connector, moving from the description of God's character and covenant faithfulness (vv. 14-15) to the required response from Israel. It marks a crucial transition from theological declaration to practical command.
• the foreskin of your heart (ערלת לבבכם - orlat l'vav'khem):
  • foreskin (ערלה - orlah): Literally the physical foreskin, but used metaphorically to denote an impediment or a block. In agricultural law, orlah also refers to the forbidden fruit of a tree's first three years, indicating something unholy or inaccessible (Lev 19:23). Spiritually, it implies unresponsiveness, impurity, and resistance to God's will.
  • of your heart (לבבכם - l'vav'khem): Levav (heart) in biblical Hebrew is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of a person's being—their intellect, will, affections, and conscience. It's the inner man, the source of thought, decision, and desire. To circumcise the heart means to remove the part of the inner self that is hardened, impure, or rebellious, enabling it to fully yield to God. This signifies an end to stubborn self-will and an opening to divine instruction. This concept is a direct counter to the outward-focused religiosity.
• and be no longer (ולא תקשו - v'lo taqshu): This means "and do not harden." It’s a negative command using the Hiphil imperfect of qashah (קשה), meaning "to be hard" or "to make hard."
• stiff-necked (עורפכם - orpekhem): Literally "your neck." The phrase qasheh-oreph (קשה-עורף) meaning "stiff-necked" or "hard of neck" is a recurring idiom in the Old Testament, famously used to describe Israel's consistent obstinacy, stubbornness, and rebellion against God (e.g., Ex 32:9). It pictures an ox or donkey refusing to submit to the yoke or plowman's direction, refusing to turn its head. This polemic highlights Israel's history of disobedience, often paralleling idolatry or refusing prophetic warning.

Word-group analysis

• "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart": This imperative calls for an internal, spiritual purification. It is an act of spiritual surgery, a cutting away of resistance and rebellion, making the heart receptive to God’s commands and responsive to His love. It contrasts the physical sign of circumcision (which could be present without inward devotion) with the true spiritual reality it symbolizes. The implication is that without this inner transformation, external obedience is futile or hypocritical.
• "and be no longer stiff-necked": This is a direct command against stubborn rebellion. The previous verses (Deut 9) just detailed Israel's persistent rebelliousness at Horeb and other locations. This phrase encapsulates their historical inability to truly yield to God's authority and wisdom, opting instead for their own way. The imperative here emphasizes human responsibility to actively turn from obstinacy. However, elsewhere in Deuteronomy and the prophets (Deut 30:6; Ezek 36:26), God also promises that He will circumcise their hearts, indicating that human responsibility and divine enablement go hand-in-hand in this transformation. The immediate context of Deuteronomy frames this as Israel's active obligation, reflecting Moses’ final charges to the nation.

Deuteronomy 10 16 Bonus section

The phrase "circumcision of the heart" highlights the internal and spiritual dimension of faith, a concept foundational to biblical theology. While physical circumcision was a visible covenant sign, its spiritual meaning always held greater weight. For the Israelites, who relied heavily on outward adherence to the Law, this command was a critical reminder that true covenant loyalty emanates from a changed inner person, not merely ritualistic observance. It sets a prophetic tone for the later prophets, who consistently condemn Israel's uncircumcised hearts and uncircumcised ears (Jer 6:10, Acts 7:51). The tension between God commanding the action ("Circumcise yourselves...") and God promising to perform the action ("The LORD... will circumcise your heart," Deut 30:6) reflects the interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in spiritual renewal. Ultimately, while Israel is called to yield and open their hearts, true, lasting spiritual transformation is seen as a work initiated and empowered by God Himself. This verse therefore also subtly combats the notion that covenant status or rituals automatically ensure righteousness, emphasizing genuine devotion over inherited privilege or external performance.

Deuteronomy 10 16 Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:16 represents a pivotal command that moves beyond mere external obedience to the Law, calling Israel to a profound internal spiritual transformation. Moses, having reiterated God’s singular greatness and unmerited favor upon Israel, emphasizes that their proper response must stem from a heart fully devoted and unyielding to anything but God. The metaphorical "circumcision of the heart" demands the removal of spiritual hardness, the inner barrier that hinders a true, intimate relationship with the Creator. This internal purification would enable them to genuinely love God, not just follow rules, setting the stage for covenant faithfulness that transcends ritualism. The instruction to "be no longer stiff-necked" directly addresses Israel's historical pattern of stubbornness and rebellion, which frequently led them into idolatry and disobedience. This verse reveals God's desire for a people who are willing, humble, and internally purified, demonstrating that the essence of His covenant is about heart-submission and wholehearted allegiance. It anticipates the prophetic longing for a "new heart" and lays the groundwork for the New Covenant emphasis on inner transformation through the Holy Spirit.