Deuteronomy 4 39

Deuteronomy 4:39 kjv

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Deuteronomy 4:39 nkjv

Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4:39 niv

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.

Deuteronomy 4:39 esv

know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4:39 nlt

"So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The LORD is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 39 Meaning

Deuteronomy 4:39 is a profound declaration of Yahweh's unique and exclusive deity, compelling Israel to internalize this truth. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty over all creation—heaven and earth—and unequivocally states that no other being holds such divine power or status. This verse demands not just intellectual assent but a deep, heartfelt understanding and acknowledgment of God's supremacy as the sole true God.

Deuteronomy 4 39 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 4 serves as a critical exposition of the Mosaic Covenant given at Horeb (Sinai). Moses is reiterating God's faithfulness and commands to the second generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deut 4:32-38) recount God's unparalleled acts on behalf of Israel—His speaking from the midst of the fire, delivering them from Egypt, and revealing His laws. These miraculous interventions are presented as irrefutable evidence that Yahweh is utterly unique among all powers and deities. This foundation of divine action then leads to the emphatic declaration of God's singular identity in verse 39, preparing the people for a life of exclusive worship and obedience in Canaan, a land saturated with polytheistic beliefs and idolatrous practices.

Deuteronomy 4 39 Word analysis

• Know (יָדַע - yādaʿ): More than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies an experiential, relational knowledge and a deep, active recognition. It's about knowing God intimately and acknowledging Him as the one true deity, with implications for belief, worship, and obedience. This verb emphasizes the certainty and demonstrability of the truth being declared.
• Therefore: Links this declaration directly to the preceding arguments and demonstrations of God's unique power and faithfulness in Deut 4:32-38. Because God has revealed Himself so uniquely, Israel must acknowledge this truth.
• This day: Stresses the immediate and continuing relevance and urgency of this command. It calls for present recognition and a sustained commitment. It also carries a covenantal emphasis, marking the day of solemn acknowledgment and recommitment.
• And consider it (וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֙ אֶל־לְבָבֶ֔ךָ - vahašibōṯā ʾel-ləḇāḇeḵā): Literally, "and return it to your heart" or "bring it back to your heart." This phrase signifies deep reflection, serious thought, and internalizing the truth. It's not just intellectual knowing but integrating this truth into one's inner being, affections, and will. It demands meditation and conviction.
• In thine heart (לְבָבֶךָ - ləḇāḇeḵā): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the center of the entire person—the seat of intellect, emotion, and will. It encompasses mind, will, and affections. To "consider in thine heart" means to grasp with the totality of one's being, to ponder it deeply, allowing it to transform one's perspective and life.
• That the LORD (יְהוָ֥ה - YHWH) he is God (הוּא הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים - hû hāʾělōhîm): This is a profound polemical declaration against polytheism. "The LORD" (YHWH) is God's covenant name, signifying His personal, revealed, active, and unchangeable character. "He is God" (hû hāʾělōhîm) uses Elohim (the general term for deity, often used for false gods) but applies it exclusively to Yahweh, effectively stripping other deities of any genuine divinity. It is an affirmation of Yahweh's identity as the only truly existing and divine being, against all pagan conceptions.
• In heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: This describes the comprehensive scope of God's dominion. It means He rules universally, from the highest celestial realms to the lowest earthly dimensions. He is not a localized deity (like the gods of the nations often were) but the sovereign ruler of all creation, seen and unseen. This establishes His omnipotence and omnipresence in terms of authority.
• There is none else (אֵ֖ין ע֥וֹד - ʾên ʿōḏ): This is an emphatic negation. It asserts God's absolute uniqueness, exclusivity, and supremacy. There are no other gods worthy of worship, no other powers comparable to Him, and no other ultimate authority. It reiterates monotheism in its strongest possible form, a direct repudiation of every idol and false god imagined by humanity.

Deuteronomy 4 39 Bonus section

The concept expressed in Deuteronomy 4:39 forms the bedrock of the 'Shema,' Israel's declaration of faith (Deut 6:4), emphasizing that God is not merely a god among many, but the one and only God. This monotheistic confession radically distinguishes Israelite faith from the pluralistic religious systems of the ancient Near East. The constant repetition and exhortation to "know" and "consider" this truth points to its non-negotiable status in the covenant and serves as a powerful antidote against assimilation into pagan practices. This truth transcends Israel's specific context, carrying universal implications for humanity's relationship with the Divine. It underscores the theological boundary that prevents syncretism and polytheism, calling all creation to recognize and worship the one true Creator.

Deuteronomy 4 39 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:39 is a cornerstone declaration of biblical monotheism and a pivotal verse for understanding Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. Moses compels the people to acquire both intellectual and experiential knowledge of God's exclusive deity, not just as an abstract truth but as a foundational reality to be held deeply in the "heart." The repeated phrase "this day" underscores the immediacy and continuous responsibility of Israel to affirm this truth.

The verse is a forceful polemic against the polytheistic and idolatrous cultures that surrounded Israel and into which they were about to enter. While other nations worshipped numerous localized and often impotent deities, Israel was called to acknowledge the one transcendent God whose dominion spans "heaven above, and upon the earth beneath." This universal scope signifies God's absolute sovereignty, implying that nothing in creation is outside His control or influence.

The emphatic declaration "the LORD he is God... there is none else" demands exclusive devotion and undivided allegiance. It lays the theological groundwork for the First Commandment ("You shall have no other gods before me," Exod 20:3). Understanding and truly "considering" this truth in one's heart leads to rightful worship, obedience, and an unshakeable trust in God as the sole provider, protector, and ultimate authority. This theological clarity was essential for Israel's survival as a distinct people and their mission as a light to the nations, demonstrating the power of the one true God.