Deuteronomy 5 32

Deuteronomy 5:32 kjv

Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 nkjv

"Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 niv

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 esv

You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 nlt

So Moses told the people, "You must be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God, following his instructions in every detail.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 32 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:32 instructs the people of Israel to diligently observe and actively perform all that the Lord their God has commanded them, without any deviation whatsoever, either to the right or to the left. It emphasizes absolute precision and strict adherence to God's divine instructions as the exclusive path to follow.

Deuteronomy 5 32 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 5 recounts Moses's re-declaration of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites gathered on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. This solemn re-statement occurs approximately forty years after the initial giving of the law at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses emphasizes that God spoke directly to their fathers, and thus these laws are not merely ancient relics but a living covenant for them. The preceding verses highlight the awe and fear associated with God's manifest presence and the delivery of the commandments. Verse 32, therefore, serves as an imperative, drawing a conclusion ("Therefore") from the profound revelation of God's holy and life-giving law, urging precise and unwavering adherence to these divinely issued statutes as the means to a blessed life in the land. This directive also implicitly serves as a polemic against the polytheistic and syncretistic practices of surrounding nations, which lacked a singular, absolute divine law, allowing for deviation and compromise.

Deuteronomy 5 32 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְעַתָּה, və'attah): This conjunctive phrase, literally "and now," signifies a conclusion or a transition from discourse to practical application. It underscores that the command in verse 32 is a direct consequence and imperative derived from the preceding profound revelation of God's holy Law.
• you shall be careful (תִּשְׁמְרוּ, tishmərū): Derived from the Hebrew root shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to guard," "to watch over," "to observe diligently," or "to keep." It implies active, mindful, and continuous vigilance, not passive obedience. The emphasis is on conscientious adherence and protecting the integrity of the command.
• to do (לַעֲשׂוֹת, la'asot): From the root asah (עָשָׂה), meaning "to make," "to perform," or "to act." This term stresses practical action and execution. It moves beyond merely hearing or knowing the law to the essential act of putting it into practice. Faith is expressed through action.
• just as the Lord your God (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, ka'asher tzivah YHVH Eloheichem):
  • Lord your God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, YHVH Eloheichem): Emphasizes the covenantal name (Yahweh) and the relational term (your God), highlighting that the commands originate from the sovereign, faithful, and personal God who entered into covenant with Israel.
  • has commanded (צִוָּה, tzivah): From tzavah (צָוָה), meaning "to command" or "to appoint." It denotes divine authority and the binding nature of the instructions. These are not suggestions but authoritative directives from the ultimate Lawgiver.
• You shall not turn aside (לֹא תָסֻרוּ, lo tasuru): From the root sur (סוּר), meaning "to turn aside," "to deviate," "to depart." This is an absolute prohibition against any deviation or departure from the established path. It implies a narrow way, emphasizing the exclusivity and precision required.
• to the right hand or to the left (יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול, yamin u'smol): An idiomatic expression universally understood to mean "not at all," "without any deviation," or "precisely." It forbids extremism in either direction – neither adding to the law (to the right) nor subtracting from it or taking shortcuts (to the left). It signifies strict adherence to the exact prescribed path, ensuring completeness and accuracy in obedience.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore you shall be careful to do": This phrase combines the understanding of God's supreme authority (implied by the prior revelation) with the human responsibility to respond. "Careful to do" conveys the seriousness of diligent action. It highlights that knowledge of God's commands is insufficient without their active observance and application in daily life.
• "just as the Lord your God has commanded you": This powerfully reinforces the divine origin and absolute authority of the instructions. The standard for obedience is not human reasoning or preference, but the precise word of God Himself. It negates any attempt to dilute or modify divine law based on personal interpretation or cultural pressures.
• "You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left": This is a robust idiom emphasizing strict fidelity. It speaks to walking the exact path God has laid out. Spiritually, it warns against legalism (adding to God’s law, going “too far right”) and antinomianism or complacency (subtracting from or neglecting God’s law, going “too far left”). True obedience is balanced and exact, following God's clear guidelines. It suggests that there is one specific way of walking that is pleasing to God.

Deuteronomy 5 32 Bonus section

This command of not turning "right or left" is a profound biblical idiom for spiritual integrity and steadfastness. It underlines the exclusive nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh and the singular path He prescribed for them. It suggests that while human prudence often dictates avoiding extremes, in divine matters, the "extremes" or deviations from God's path are precisely what must be avoided, because God's path is inherently the perfect middle. This theological principle transcends the Old Testament, finding echoes in New Testament calls to abide in Christ (Jn 15:4), walk worthy of the gospel (Phil 1:27), and stand firm in the faith (1 Cor 16:13). It highlights that biblical obedience is holistic, requiring both careful diligence (doing the commandments) and resolute avoidance of alternative paths (not turning aside). The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, also adopts this metaphor, showing that true wisdom lies in staying on the straight path of righteousness and shunning any deviation that leads to ruin.

Deuteronomy 5 32 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:32 serves as a pivotal summary instruction following the recitation of the Ten Commandments, grounding them as the essential framework for covenant life. It is not merely an advisory; it is an imperative from God for Israel to actively and precisely observe every one of His commands. The emphasis is on unwavering adherence, safeguarding against both subtle shifts away from God's truth (e.g., through syncretism or adopting foreign practices) and overt rebellion. This fidelity to the divine instruction ensures blessing, distinguishing Israel as God's chosen people who walk in His unique ways. For a believer today, this verse echoes the call for absolute dedication to Christ and His teachings, avoiding extremes of religious rigor or spiritual complacency, recognizing that true freedom and blessedness are found in alignment with God’s revealed will, enabling a walk that glorifies Him. It illustrates the enduring principle that walking with God requires a focused and intentional effort to align our actions and hearts exactly with His word, without personal modifications or shortcuts.