Deuteronomy 29 28

Deuteronomy 29:28 kjv

And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 29:28 nkjv

And the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.'

Deuteronomy 29:28 niv

In furious anger and in great wrath the LORD uprooted them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now."

Deuteronomy 29:28 esv

and the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger and fury and great wrath, and cast them into another land, as they are this day.'

Deuteronomy 29:28 nlt

In great anger and fury the LORD uprooted his people from their land and banished them to another land, where they still live today!'

Deuteronomy 29 verses

Deuteronomy 29 28 Meaning

Deuteronomy 29:28 declares a fundamental truth regarding God's knowledge and human responsibility. It states that certain truths and purposes remain exclusively with the Lord God, hidden from human comprehension. Conversely, those truths and commands that God has chosen to reveal are given explicitly to humanity and to their descendants through all generations. The explicit purpose of this revelation is not for intellectual curiosity alone, but so that His people may diligently obey and fulfill all the requirements of His law.

Deuteronomy 29 28 Context

Deuteronomy 29:28 is situated within the solemn covenant renewal ceremony that Moses conducted on the plains of Moab before the Israelites entered the promised land. Following the rehearsal of the Law, the historical narrative of God's faithfulness, and a detailed exposition of the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (chapter 28), this chapter culminates in a strong reaffirmation of the covenant. Moses is calling upon the entire assembly to confirm their commitment to the covenant stipulations. The immediate context of verse 28 involves a stern warning against those who might secretly harbor idolatrous intentions (vv. 18-21) or those who, upon seeing the devastation of a land cursed for disobedience, might wonder about God's ways (vv. 22-27). Amidst such questions about future judgments and hidden motivations, verse 28 draws a clear line, reminding the people of their clear duties in the present based on God's explicit revelation. It acts as both a caution against speculative inquiry into God's secret will and an urgent imperative for practical obedience to what He has plainly revealed.

Deuteronomy 29 28 Word Analysis

• The secret things (Hebrew: הַנִּסְתָּרֹת, ha'nistarot, meaning "the hidden ones," "that which is concealed"): This refers to aspects of God's divine counsel, decrees, future plans, or the underlying reasons for His actions that are not made known to humanity. It speaks to God's incomprehensible sovereignty and unsearchable wisdom. These matters are not within the purview of human discovery or understanding.
• belong unto the Lord our God (la'Adonai Eloheinu): This phrase asserts God's exclusive ownership and prerogative over what remains hidden. It emphasizes that these undisclosed matters are part of His infinite being and ultimate authority, not subject to human inquiry or discovery without His initiative. It reinforces His supreme deity.
• but those things which are revealed (וְהַנִּגְלֹת, ve'ha'niglot, meaning "that which is uncovered," "the disclosed ones," "the plain things"): This stands in direct contrast to "secret things." It points specifically to the explicit commandments, statutes, judgments, and truths that God has clearly communicated to His people through His Law and prophetic utterances. This is the divinely given knowledge accessible to humanity.
• belong unto us and to our children for ever (lanu u'levaneinu ad olam, "to us and to our children for eternity"): This highlights the enduring nature and transferability of God's revelation. The revealed truth is not temporary but is a permanent inheritance and responsibility passed down through generations. It is a trust committed to His people forever.
• that we may do (la'asot, "to do," "to make," "to act upon"): This is a crucial purpose clause, signifying that the aim of God's revelation is not merely intellectual knowledge or theological debate, but practical application. It mandates a life of active obedience and moral conduct based on the disclosed will of God.
• all the words of this law (et kol-divrei ha'torah ha'zot, "all the words of this Torah"): "This law" (Torah) refers to the entire body of divine instruction, precepts, and covenant stipulations given through Moses, specifically within the book of Deuteronomy. "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the demand—it calls for holistic obedience to the entirety of God's commands, not selective adherence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The secret things... belong unto the Lord our God" vs. "those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever": This powerful antithesis establishes a clear theological boundary. It demarcates what is God's exclusive domain of knowledge and what is humanity's divinely appointed sphere of responsibility. It prevents both presumptuous speculation into God's hidden plans and irresponsible neglect of His clear commands.
• "belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law": This phrase unites the perpetual nature of God's revelation with its ultimate purpose: to prompt generations of obedience. The knowledge of God's Law is a generational stewardship intended to culminate in practical living that aligns with divine will, reinforcing the covenant bond across time.

Deuteronomy 29 28 Bonus Section

• This verse provides a crucial theological framework that guards against both fatalism (the belief that if God has secret plans, human choices are irrelevant) and presumption (the arrogance of claiming to know or dictate God's hidden will). It maintains a proper balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
• It reinforces the concept of the sufficiency of Scripture: what God has revealed in His Word is ample and sufficient for our understanding of His character, His will for humanity, and the path of salvation and righteous living. There is no need for extra-biblical "secret knowledge" to walk faithfully before Him.
• The enduring nature "for ever" of the revealed Law (Torah) points to the eternal principles of God's moral order. While the specific legal code of the Old Covenant has been fulfilled in Christ for believers (Matt 5:17), the underlying divine wisdom, righteousness, and the call to obedience found within its revealed principles remain eternally relevant (Rom 13:8-10).

Deuteronomy 29 28 Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:28 offers a foundational theological principle regarding the relationship between divine sovereignty, human knowledge, and human responsibility. It functions as a concluding theological statement for Moses' discourse on the covenant, particularly addressing the complex realities of divine judgment and the mysterious aspects of God's will.

The verse wisely counsels against delving into God's unrevealed counsels, known as "secret things." Such profound and concealed matters are the exclusive domain of God. They are beyond human understanding, not meant for us to dissect or question the "why" behind every divine action, particularly regarding future calamities or specific divine judgments. To attempt to unravel these secrets is both presumptuous and ultimately futile. This concept helps to alleviate anxiety or despair over aspects of God's plan that remain shrouded in mystery.

Conversely, the verse highlights "those things which are revealed." This refers specifically to the divine Law and commands God has explicitly communicated to His people. This revealed truth is not solely for the generation that first received it, but "belong unto us and to our children for ever." This underscores the enduring validity and heritage of God's word, to be taught, preserved, and lived out by successive generations.

The crucial link between revelation and action is articulated in the phrase "that we may do all the words of this law." The ultimate purpose of God's gracious self-disclosure is not for intellectual assent alone, nor for theoretical discussion, but for practical, holistic obedience. Faith in God is fundamentally demonstrated by active submission to His revealed will. In a practical sense, this verse teaches believers to focus their spiritual energy not on anxious speculation about hidden matters or future events, but on diligent application of what God has clearly made known through His Scripture. It calls for walking humbly and obediently in the light that God has provided. For instance, when confronted with suffering or seemingly inexplicable events, we are reminded to rest in God's sovereign knowledge while redoubling our commitment to live according to His revealed principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.