Deuteronomy 4 35

Deuteronomy 4:35 kjv

Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

Deuteronomy 4:35 nkjv

To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.

Deuteronomy 4:35 niv

You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4:35 esv

To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

Deuteronomy 4:35 nlt

"He showed you these things so you would know that the LORD is God and there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 35 Meaning

Deuteronomy 4:35 declares a profound and exclusive truth about the nature of God: through His miraculous actions displayed to Israel, particularly at Mount Horeb (Sinai), He intended for them to experientially understand that Yahweh alone is the true and sovereign God, and there exists no other divine being besides Him. This declaration emphasizes His unique identity and singular power, setting Him apart from all supposed deities of the nations.

Deuteronomy 4 35 Context

Deuteronomy 4 records Moses' solemn exhortation to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, prior to their entry into the Promised Land. It serves as a review and reinforcement of the covenant made at Horeb (Mount Sinai). Moses reminds them of the astonishing display of God's power and presence at Horeb (vv. 9-14), where they heard His voice from the fire, but saw no form, emphasizing God's transcendence and non-physical nature. This unique revelation, unparalleled among all nations (vv. 32-34), forms the historical backdrop and experiential proof for the theological declaration in verse 35. The verse acts as the climax and ultimate purpose for God's direct intervention and miraculous deliverance: for Israel to profoundly know and acknowledge the absolute, singular deity of Yahweh, as distinct from and superior to all other purported gods worshipped by surrounding pagan cultures. It sets the foundation for their exclusive devotion and obedience to Him alone, warning against idolatry which would mean forsaking the One True God for non-entities.

Deuteronomy 4 35 Word analysis

• Unto thee (אֵלֶיךָ - 'elékha): Literally "to you (singular masculine)." Though singular, it addresses Israel as a corporate body, emphasizing the direct and personal nature of God's revelation to them specifically, chosen from all nations. It highlights the exclusivity of this experience.

• it was shewed (הָרְאֵיתָ - hāre'ētāh): This is a Hophal imperfect, or Niph'al perfect form of ra'ah (to see), here implying a passive causative: "you were made to see" or "it was caused to be seen to you." It points to God's active, divine initiative in making Himself manifest and evident. The revelation was not stumbled upon, but divinely orchestrated and undeniable, particularly at Mount Sinai (Horeb), where sensory experiences like fire, thunder, and a voice affirmed His presence.

• that thou mightest know (לָדַעַת - lāḏa'at): The infinitive construct of yāda', meaning "to know," implying purpose. This knowledge is not merely intellectual acquaintance, but a deep, experiential, and relational understanding that leads to recognition, affirmation, and ultimately, a covenant relationship of loyalty and obedience. It's a transformative knowing.

• that the LORD (כִּי יְהוָה - kî Yahweh):

  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): The sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence (I AM WHO I AM - Exod 3:14) and His redemptive nature. This name signifies His unique and unparalleled being, contrasting Him with the generic 'elohim (gods) of other nations.

• he is God (הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים - hû' hā'elōhîm):

  • he (הוּא - hû'): An emphatic pronoun, "He himself," underscoring the specific identity of Yahweh as the only true God.
  • the God (הָאֱלֹהִים - hā'elōhîm): The definite article "the" appended to Elohim (a general term for God or gods) is crucial. It asserts that Yahweh is not just a god, or one of many gods, but the one and only true God, the Supreme Being. This stands in direct contrast to polytheistic beliefs of the time.

• there is none else (אֵין עוֹד - 'ên 'ōḏ): This phrase functions as a strong negation, meaning "there is no more," "no other." It signifies an absolute lack of any comparable entity.

• beside him (מִלְּבַדּוֹ - milbaddōw): Meaning "apart from Him," "except Him," or "His alone." It powerfully reinforces the idea of His solitary and exclusive deity. It rejects any form of syncretism or the notion that other deities could coexist or share His divine authority.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know": This phrase highlights divine pedagogy. God revealed Himself demonstrably and purposefully so that Israel would not just intellectually assent to His existence but truly know His unique deity through personal, undeniable experience. The purpose of divine acts is the recognition of God's singular being.
  • "that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him": This is the core monotheistic creed. It presents Yahweh's identity as inherently linked to His singularity. The emphatic "he is God" clarifies that the specific God of Israel, Yahweh, is the absolute and true God, and His claim to divinity is exclusive. There is no other competitor or equivalent being. This declaration served as the foundational premise for Israel's covenant obedience and set them apart as a monotheistic people in a polytheistic world.

Deuteronomy 4 35 Bonus section

• The revelation referenced in Dt 4:35, specifically at Horeb, was exceptional. God spoke directly to Israel out of the fire, making Himself known not through a graven image (v. 12, 15), but through His audible voice, setting Himself apart from mute idols.
• This verse contains one of the earliest explicit and comprehensive statements of absolute monotheism in scripture, predating and establishing the "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Dt 6:4) declaration (the Shema) which later became central to Jewish faith.
• The phrase "there is none else beside him" is a strong polemic against contemporary pagan pantheons and local deities. It asserted that the gods of Egypt, Canaan, and other nations were non-existent or powerless in comparison to Yahweh. Israel's deliverance from Egypt, explicitly detailed earlier in Dt 4, was proof of Yahweh's triumph over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 4 35 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:35 encapsulates the very essence of God's self-revelation to Israel, serving as a cornerstone for biblical monotheism. God's majestic display at Sinai was not a mere demonstration of power, but a targeted, pedagogical act designed to instill within Israel an undeniable experiential knowledge that Yahweh is the singular, supreme God, and that no other god exists or holds any legitimate claim to deity. This verse asserts God's exclusive sovereignty, challenging and refuting the prevalent polytheism and idolatry of the ancient Near East. It is a demand for Israel's exclusive devotion and underscores that their covenant relationship with Yahweh requires unswerving allegiance to Him alone. This foundational truth about the oneness of God permeated Israelite identity and ethics, setting the stage for all subsequent divine commands and prophecies.