Deuteronomy 33:4 kjv
Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
Deuteronomy 33:4 nkjv
Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.
Deuteronomy 33:4 niv
the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.
Deuteronomy 33:4 esv
when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.
Deuteronomy 33:4 nlt
Moses gave us the LORD's instruction,
the special possession of the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 33 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:1-2 | "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes... You shall not add..." | Obedience to God's Law |
| Deut 6:6-7 | "These words that I command you today...teach them to your children." | Law to be taught & passed on |
| Deut 30:19-20 | "I have set before you life and death...choose life..." | Law leads to life |
| Deut 34:10 | "No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses..." | Moses' unique role as law-giver |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law..." | Law as guide for success & prosperity |
| Ps 1:2 | "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." | Delight in God's Law |
| Ps 19:7-8 | "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul..." | Law as perfect, divine revelation |
| Ps 119:9 | "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." | Law for purity and guidance |
| Ps 119:111 | "Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart." | Law as an everlasting inheritance |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." | Wisdom source is from God's instruction |
| Isa 2:3 | "...for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." | Future universal reach of God's Law |
| Jer 31:33 | "But this is the covenant that I will make...I will put my law within them..." | New Covenant: Law in the heart |
| Ez 36:27 | "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes..." | Spirit enables obedience to Law |
| Mal 4:4 | "Remember the law of Moses, my servant, the statutes and rules..." | Command to remember Moses' Law |
| Matt 5:17-18 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law...but to fulfill them." | Christ fulfilling the Law |
| Acts 7:38 | "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness..." | "Assembly" (qahal) in the wilderness |
| Rom 7:12 | "So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." | Law's inherent goodness & holiness |
| Rom 10:4 | "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." | Christ is goal/purpose of the Law |
| Gal 3:24 | "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came..." | Law as a guardian until Christ |
| Heb 3:5 | "Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant..." | Moses' faithfulness in God's house |
| Heb 8:10 | "For this is the covenant...I will put my laws into their minds..." | New Covenant Law is internal |
| James 1:25 | "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty..." | Law of liberty, empowering freedom |
Deuteronomy 33 verses
Deuteronomy 33 4 Meaning
Deuteronomy 33:4 states that Moses, empowered by God, delivered the Law (Torah) to Israel. This divine instruction is presented not merely as a set of commands but as an enduring, cherished inheritance—a permanent and vital possession for the entire covenant community, the assembly of Jacob, establishing their unique identity and their relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 33 4 Context
Deuteronomy 33:4 is part of Moses' final blessing upon the tribes of Israel, delivered just before his death and the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. This chapter, akin to Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49, functions as a poetic and prophetic summary of God's enduring faithfulness to Israel and His plans for them. The preceding verses emphasize God's coming forth from Sinai, revealing Himself and His Law to His beloved people. This verse reaffirms the foundational importance of the Law given through Moses, presenting it as an intrinsic and permanent part of Israel's national and spiritual heritage, ensuring its continued relevance for generations to come.
Deuteronomy 33 4 Word analysis
- Moses: Refers to Moshe (מֹשֶׁה), the unique prophet, mediator, and chosen leader through whom God delivered His covenant and statutes to the people of Israel. His authority was divinely appointed and unequaled in the Old Covenant (Num 12:7, Deut 34:10).
- commanded us: The Hebrew word for "commanded" is tzawah (צָוָה), which signifies a strong, solemn injunction, not merely a suggestion. It indicates authority, often divine, and highlights the binding nature of the instruction. The "us" refers to the collective Israelites, indicating their communal reception and responsibility for the Law.
- a law: The Hebrew term is Torah (תּוֹרָה). While often translated "law," its deeper meaning encompasses divine instruction, teaching, and guidance. It is a comprehensive body of wisdom, principles, statutes, and narratives that reveal God's character, His will, and the way for His people to live in covenant relationship with Him. It extends beyond mere legal precepts to include the entirety of God's revealed will for Israel.
- an inheritance: The Hebrew word is morashah (מֹורָשָׁה), meaning "possession," "heritage," or "birthright." It is something precious and enduring, passed down from one generation to the next. Unlike a temporary possession, an inheritance signifies permanence and foundational value, suggesting that the Torah is intrinsically woven into Israel's identity and is their spiritual birthright, a lasting legacy from God Himself.
- for the assembly of Jacob:
- assembly: The Hebrew word is qehal (קְהִלַּת) from qahal (קָהָל), which denotes a formally constituted congregation, an organized community or multitude gathered for a specific purpose, often sacred or national. It emphasizes Israel's corporate identity as a divinely summoned and organized people.
- of Jacob: Refers to Jacob (יַעֲקֹב), the patriarch whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 32:28). This term identifies the people as the descendants of Jacob, God's covenant people, the nation chosen to receive and live by this divine Law. It roots their identity and destiny in God's ancient promises.
Deuteronomy 33 4 Bonus section
The presentation of the Torah as an "inheritance" (morashah) strongly contrasts with ancient Near Eastern law codes, which were typically established by kings and human authorities. The Torah stands unique as a divine decree, gifted by God, inherently eternal and sacred, passed down not by human will but by divine command through Moses. This elevates Israel's legal system to a spiritual and covenantal level unmatched by surrounding cultures. Furthermore, the term "assembly of Jacob" foreshadows the later concept of the ekklesia or "church," representing the gathering of God's people, a continuing theme from the Old Testament qahal to the New Testament ekklesia, where the people of God gather around His revealed truth. The Torah in this verse isn't merely external regulations, but something intended to shape Israel's internal character and national soul.
Deuteronomy 33 4 Commentary
Deuteronomy 33:4 profoundly encapsulates Israel's core identity. It affirms that the very foundation of their existence as a distinct nation is the Torah (Law), given directly by God through Moses. This Law is presented not as a restrictive burden, but as a cherished inheritance, a priceless and permanent legacy that distinguishes them among all nations. It is a divine instruction set to be continually passed down through generations, shaping every aspect of the "assembly of Jacob"—the unified, covenant community of Israel. This verse underscores the unique relationship between God, His Word, and His chosen people, emphasizing that the Torah defines their being, their purpose, and their way of life, leading them in fellowship with God and to flourish as a holy nation. It provides the very framework for their communal and individual existence, a gift that establishes their lasting heritage.