Deuteronomy 4:4 kjv
But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
Deuteronomy 4:4 nkjv
But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.
Deuteronomy 4:4 niv
but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today.
Deuteronomy 4:4 esv
But you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today.
Deuteronomy 4:4 nlt
But all of you who were faithful to the LORD your God are still alive today ? every one of you.
Deuteronomy 4 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 30:19-20 | "...choose life, that both you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God..." | Choosing life through loyalty to God. |
| Num 25:3-9 | "...Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD burned..." | Background: Perishing due to idolatry. |
| Psa 1:3, 6 | "...He is like a tree...whatever he does prospers...the way of the wicked will perish." | Righteous flourish, unrighteous perish. |
| Prov 8:35-36 | "...whoever finds me finds life...all who hate me love death." | Wisdom (God's way) leads to life. |
| John 6:68 | "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." | Jesus' words are the source of true life. |
| Acts 11:23 | "...urging them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." | Exhortation to continue in faithfulness. |
| Heb 10:39 | "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." | Perseverance in faith for preservation. |
| Rom 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Sin brings death, God's gift brings life. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | "...narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life..." | The path to life is distinct and challenging. |
| Josh 23:8 | "But you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, just as you have done to this day." | Continuation of holding fast to God. |
| 1 Kin 18:21 | "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him..." | Choosing true loyalty over wavering. |
| 2 Chron 34:33 | "...caused all who were in Israel...to serve the LORD their God..." | Revival bringing people back to God's service. |
| Mal 3:18 | "Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked..." | Distinction between God-fearers and wicked. |
| Deut 5:3 | "Not with our fathers did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us alive today." | Emphasizing the present generation's responsibility. |
| Deut 6:18 | "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land..." | Obedience for flourishing and inheritance. |
| Deut 8:3 | "...that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone..." | Spiritual life is more than physical sustenance. |
| Prov 11:19 | "...He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor." | Righteousness as a path to life. |
| Prov 12:28 | "In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." | Righteousness guarantees life. |
| Jer 21:8 | "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.'" | Clear choice presented between life and death. |
| Phil 2:16 | "holding fast to the word of life..." | Believers holding fast to God's word. |
| James 1:12 | "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life..." | Steadfastness through trials leading to life. |
| Rev 2:10 | "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." | Call to faithfulness even in suffering. |
Deuteronomy 4 verses
Deuteronomy 4 4 Meaning
Deuteronomy 4:4 declares that those who remained steadfast and loyal to the Lord their God survived, a direct contrast to those who had been disloyal and perished. This verse emphasizes the direct correlation between faithfulness to God's covenant and the preservation of life, serving as a vital lesson for the Israelites entering the promised land.
Deuteronomy 4 4 Context
Deuteronomy 4 is a powerful admonition from Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. He recounts the critical events at Mount Horeb (Sinai), where God established His covenant with them. Moses vividly recalls God's holiness and the necessity of complete obedience to His laws. Specifically, verse 4:4 directly contrasts with 4:3, which references the disastrous apostasy at Baal Peor (Num 25:1-9). In that event, many Israelites who worshipped Baal died in a plague because they were unfaithful to God. Verse 4:4 serves as a crucial point of distinction and a tangible demonstration of divine justice and the life-giving consequence of fidelity to the covenant. This passage prepares the Israelites for their future by highlighting the direct link between their loyalty to YHWH and their ability to live, prosper, and retain possession of the land.
Deuteronomy 4 4 Word analysis
- But you: (Hebrew:
wᵉ’attem- וְאַתֶּם). This serves as a strong contrasting conjunction. It shifts the focus from those who perished (in 4:3) to the audience currently listening to Moses. The emphatic pronoun "you" distinguishes this group as the remnant that survived the consequences of apostasy. It implies a moral and spiritual separation from those who succumbed to idolatry. - who held fast: (Hebrew:
haddeveqim- הַדְּבֵקִים, derived fromdabaq- דָּבַק). This verb means "to cling," "to adhere," "to be joined to," "to remain attached." It denotes a deep, steadfast, and loyal commitment, not merely passive belief. In biblical usage,dabaqdescribes physical joining (Gen 2:24, "a man shall hold fast to his wife"), and also unwavering loyalty (Josh 23:8, "hold fast to the Lord your God"). Here, it implies active adherence to God's person, His commands, and His covenant, demonstrating unyielding devotion in the face of widespread apostasy. It highlights a relationship characterized by loyalty and devotion. - to the LORD your God: (Hebrew:
bā’adonay elohekem- בַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם). This emphasizes the unique covenant relationship. "LORD" (YHWH) refers to the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, who had redeemed them from Egypt and entered into a special relationship with them. "your God" highlights their exclusive relationship and His specific claims upon them. Their "holding fast" was not to a generic deity, but to the one true God who had revealed Himself to them. - are all alive: (Hebrew:
kullem chayyim- כֻּלְּכֶם חַיִּים). "All of you" (kullem) underscores the collective nature of their survival, yet each individual’s decision was critical. "Alive" (chayyim) points directly to their physical existence and preservation. This contrasts sharply with the thousands who died in the plague at Peor. It’s a testament to God's protective hand over the faithful and a visible demonstration of the blessings of covenant loyalty. While primarily referring to physical life, the Deuteronomic framework often links physical life and flourishing to spiritual vitality and alignment with God's will. - today: (Hebrew:
hayyom- הַיּוֹם). This adverb brings the lesson into the present moment for the audience. Their continued existence right now is living proof of the truth Moses is proclaiming. It lends immediacy and urgency to his exhortation. It connects the past consequences (Baal Peor) directly to their current state and future prospects, emphasizing the ongoing validity of the principle: faithfulness brings life.
Deuteronomy 4 4 Bonus section
The phrase "held fast" (dabaq) carries significant relational weight, akin to spousal fidelity, indicating a bond of unwavering commitment and love. This deeper meaning reinforces that God desires more than mere ritualistic obedience; He seeks a relationship characterized by enduring devotion and steadfastness. This spiritual truth is a thread that runs through the entire Bible, from God's desire for a faithful people to Jesus' call for discipleship characterized by unwavering commitment (e.g., John 15:4, "Abide in me, and I in you"). The verse thus implicitly critiques shallow, temporary allegiance and champions a holistic, deeply rooted commitment to God as the foundation for true flourishing, both for individuals and the collective community.
Deuteronomy 4 4 Commentary
Deuteronomy 4:4 serves as a stark yet hopeful summary of the previous generation's fate and a powerful incentive for the current generation. It encapsulates a core Deuteronomic principle: covenant loyalty to YHWH directly leads to life, prosperity, and the enjoyment of God's blessings, while apostasy and idolatry result in death and destruction. Moses presents their survival as concrete evidence of God's justice and His faithfulness to those who adhere to Him. This verse is not merely a historical observation but a timeless lesson demonstrating the spiritual law that faithfulness to God brings true life and well-being, contrasting with the deadly consequences of spiritual straying. For example, when temptations arise to compromise one's faith, remembering that staying "held fast to the LORD" leads to spiritual life and vitality, similar to how remaining hydrated and eating healthy nourishes the body, prevents spiritual starvation and dehydration.