Deuteronomy 30 12

Deuteronomy 30:12 kjv

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Deuteronomy 30:12 nkjv

It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'

Deuteronomy 30:12 niv

It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"

Deuteronomy 30:12 esv

It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'

Deuteronomy 30:12 nlt

It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, 'Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?'

Deuteronomy 30 verses

Deuteronomy 30 12 Meaning

Deuteronomy 30:12 emphasizes that God's commandments are not distant or unattainable. They are not in heaven, nor beyond the sea, requiring extraordinary effort or special access to comprehend or obey. Instead, the divine instructions are made accessible, clear, and near, negating any excuse that they are too difficult or hidden to be known and performed. The verse implies that the ability to hear and do God's will is within reach, provided a receptive heart and obedience are present.

Deuteronomy 30 12 Context

Deuteronomy 30:12 is situated within Moses' final exhortations to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Dt 30:1-10) speak of future repentance, restoration, and the Lord's promise to circumcise their hearts so they might love Him fully and live. Dt 30:11-14 then clarifies the nature of "this commandment," stating it is "not too difficult for you, nor is it far off." Verse 12 specifically negates the idea of its extreme remoteness or inaccessibility, building towards the affirmation in Dt 30:14 that the Word is "very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do it." This entire passage forms a pivotal point, emphasizing that God's covenant demands are not beyond human capacity but are readily available for obedience. It contrasts with pagan religions often demanding strenuous rites or esoteric knowledge to appease gods.

Deuteronomy 30 12 Word analysis

• It: Refers directly to "this commandment" (הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת - ha-mitzvah ha-zot) mentioned in Dt 30:11. This signifies that it is God's revealed will, not an ambiguous human directive.
• is not in heaven: (לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם - lo ba-shamayim) Implies that God's will is not unreachable, hidden in inaccessible celestial realms, or requiring superhuman effort or revelation to retrieve. It counters any perception of God's demands being beyond ordinary human comprehension. This stands in contrast to ancient pagan practices that sought divine revelation through complex divination, astral observations, or perilous journeys.
• that you should say,: (לֵאמֹר - lemor) Introduces a potential excuse or rationalization. It anticipates a human tendency to justify inaction by claiming impossibility or extraordinary difficulty.
• 'Who will ascend to heaven for us: (מִי יַעֲלֶה לָּנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה - mi ya'aleh lanu ha-shamayma) A rhetorical question signifying an impossible human endeavor. It suggests a task requiring supernatural assistance or extreme peril, an effort far beyond ordinary means to obtain divine truth.
• to bring it to us,: (וְיִקָּחֶהָ לָּנוּ - veyiqachena lanu) Emphasizes the idea of needing someone to fetch and deliver the command, as if it were a lost or distant object.
• that we may hear it: (וְנִשְׁמָעֶנָּה - venishma'enna) "Hear" (שָׁמַע - shama) in Hebrew thought is more than just perceiving sound; it encompasses understanding, heeding, obeying, and internalizing. It implies cognitive and spiritual reception.
• and do it?': (וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה - ve'ana'senna) "Do" (עָשָׂה - asa) means to act, to perform, to put into practice. It underscores the active requirement of obedience, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding or passive hearing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "It is not in heaven": This phrase refutes the notion that God's law is concealed or obtainable only by those with special, hidden knowledge. It affirms the clarity and public nature of divine revelation given at Sinai and re-affirmed.
• "Who will ascend to heaven for us to bring it to us": This expression paints a vivid picture of extreme difficulty or an impossible task from a human perspective. It addresses and dismisses the excuse of the Law being too remote or mystical, highlighting that no special heroic or spiritual ascent is needed.
• "that we may hear it and do it": This final phrase outlines the ultimate purpose of the Law's accessibility. It links understanding and reception with active obedience. The aim is not just theoretical knowledge but practical application and transformation of life. The accessibility of the command directly leads to the expectation of compliance.

Deuteronomy 30 12 Bonus section

The rhetorical questions "Who will ascend...?" and "Who will cross...?" (Dt 30:12-13) speak against a reliance on human capacity or seeking truth in distant places. The "heaven" and "beyond the sea" represent the two extremes of perceived impossibility—vertical and horizontal. The underlying message is one of divine graciousness: God has brought His word down to human level. The passage also stands as a polemic against practices in neighboring cultures where diviners, seers, or prophets might claim exclusive access to divine knowledge through secret rites or challenging journeys. God's Torah, in contrast, was publicly given and universally applicable to His people.

Deuteronomy 30 12 Commentary

Deuteronomy 30:12 is a powerful declaration of God's condescension and the clarity of His revelation. It strips away any pretense for disobedience, assuring the Israelites that God's demands are not burdensome or beyond their reach. The Law was not whispered from secret chambers or kept guarded in the sky; it was proclaimed openly and written plainly, making knowledge and obedience tangible realities. This foundational principle is echoed in the New Testament (Romans 10), where Paul applies the same idea to the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ. Just as the Old Covenant Law was near, accessible, and not requiring a literal ascent to heaven, so too the "word of faith" in Christ does not demand a descent into the abyss or an ascension to Christ in heaven (as He has already come down and risen). God has done what is necessary to make salvation and His will available. It calls for a heart that is ready to hear and obey, trusting that the God who revealed His word has also provided the means to walk in it. This verse teaches us that genuine spiritual understanding and transformation do not rely on esoteric knowledge or superhuman efforts, but on the accessible, revealed Word of God.