Deuteronomy 4:2

2 Do not add anything to what I command you, and do not take anything away. Obey the commands of the Lord your God that I have given you. 1

Deuteronomy 4:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:2

Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, nether shall
you diminish ought from it
Neither make new laws of their own, and join them to the law of God, and set them upon a level with it, or prefer them before it; as the Scribes and Pharisees did in Christ's time, who by their traditions made the word of God of none effect, as do the Papists also by their unwritten traditions; nor abrogate nor detract from the law of God, nor make void any part of it: or else the sense is, neither do that which is forbidden, nor neglect that which is commanded; neither be guilty of sins of omission nor commission, nor in any way break the law of God, and teach men so to do by word or by example; not a jot or tittle is either to be put to it, or taken from it, ( Proverbs 30:5 Proverbs 30:6 ) ( Matthew 5:18 Matthew 5:19 ) ( Revelation 22:18 Revelation 22:19 )

that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command
you;
in his name; or which he delivered unto them as his commandments, and which were to be kept just as they were delivered, without adding to them, or taking from them.

Deuteronomy 4:2 In-Context

1 Then Moses said to the people, "Obey all the laws that I am teaching you, and you will live and occupy the land which the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
2 Do not add anything to what I command you, and do not take anything away. Obey the commands of the Lord your God that I have given you.
3 You yourselves saw what the Lord did at Mount Peor. He destroyed everyone who worshiped Baal there,
4 but those of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today.
5 "I have taught you all the laws, as the Lord my God told me to do. Obey them in the land that you are about to invade and occupy.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 4.2Revelation 22.18, 19.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.