Deuteronomy 29:8-18

8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

9 Therefore diligently observe the words of this covenant, in order that you may succeed in everything that you do.

10 You stand assembled today, all of you, before the Lord your God—the leaders of your tribes, your elders, and your officials, all the men of Israel,

11 your children, your women, and the aliens who are in your camp, both those who cut your wood and those who draw your water—

12 to enter into the covenant of the Lord your God, sworn by an oath, which the Lord your God is making with you today;

13 in order that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

14 I am making this covenant, sworn by an oath, not only with you who stand here with us today before the Lord our God,

15 but also with those who are not here with us today.

16 You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed.

17 You have seen their detestable things, the filthy idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, that were among them.

18 It may be that there is among you a man or woman, or a family or tribe, whose heart is already turning away from the Lord our God to serve the gods of those nations. It may be that there is among you a root sprouting poisonous and bitter growth.

Deuteronomy 29:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 29

This chapter begins with an intimation of another covenant the Lord was about to make with the people of Israel, De 29:1; and, to prepare their minds to an attention to it, various things which the Lord had done for them are recited, De 29:2-9; the persons are particularly mentioned with whom the covenant would now be made, the substance of which is, that they should be his people, and he their God, De 29:10-15; and since they had seen the idols in Egypt and other countries, with which they might have been ensnared, they are cautioned against idolatry and idolaters, as being most provoking to the Lord, De 29:16-21; which would bring destruction not only on particular persons, but upon their whole land, to the amazement of posterity; who, inquiring the reason of it, will be told, it was because they forsook the covenant of God, and particularly were guilty of idolatry, which, whether privately or openly committed, would be always punished, De 29:22-29.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or [deal wisely]
• [b]. Gk Syr: Heb [your leaders, your tribes]