Deuteronomy 4:11-21

11 et accessistis ad radices montis qui ardebat usque ad caelum erantque in eo tenebrae nubes et caligo
12 locutusque est Dominus ad vos de medio ignis vocem verborum eius audistis et formam penitus non vidistis
13 et ostendit vobis pactum suum quod praecepit ut faceretis et decem verba quae scripsit in duabus tabulis lapideis
14 mihique mandavit in illo tempore ut docerem vos caerimonias et iudicia quae facere deberetis in terra quam possessuri estis
15 custodite igitur sollicite animas vestras non vidistis aliquam similitudinem in die qua locutus est Dominus vobis in Horeb de medio ignis
16 ne forte decepti faciatis vobis sculptam similitudinem aut imaginem masculi vel feminae
17 similitudinem omnium iumentorum quae sunt super terram vel avium sub caelo volantium
18 atque reptilium quae moventur in terra sive piscium qui sub terra morantur in aquis
19 ne forte oculis elevatis ad caelum videas solem et lunam et omnia astra caeli et errore deceptus adores ea et colas quae creavit Dominus Deus tuus in ministerium cunctis gentibus quae sub caelo sunt
20 vos autem tulit Dominus et eduxit de fornace ferrea Aegypti ut haberet populum hereditarium sicut est in praesenti die
21 iratusque est Dominus contra me propter sermones vestros et iuravit ut non transirem Iordanem nec ingrederer terram optimam quam daturus est vobis

Deuteronomy 4:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 4

This chapter contains an exhortation to Israel to keep the commands, statutes, and judgments of God, urged from the superior excellency of them to those of all other nations, De 4:1-8, from the manner in which they were delivered, out of the midst of fire, by a voice of words, but no similitude seen, De 4:9-15, and particularly the Israelites are cautioned against idolatry, from the consideration of the goodness of God to them, in bringing them out of Egypt, De 4:16-20, and the rather Moses is urgent upon them to be diligent in their obedience to the laws of God, because he should quickly be removed from them, De 4:21-24, and should they be disobedient to them, it would provoke the Lord to destroy them, or to carry them captive into other lands, De 4:25-28 though even then, if they repented and sought the Lord, and became obedient, he would be merciful to them, and not forsake them, De 4:29-31 and they are put in mind again of the amazing things God had done for them, in speaking to them out of fire, and they alive; in bringing them out of another nation, and driving out other nations to make room for them; all which he improves, as so many arguments to move them to obedience to the divine commands, De 4:32-40 and then notice is taken of the three cities of refuge, separated on this side Jordan, De 4:41-43, and the chapter is concluded with observing, that this is the law, and these the testimonies, Moses declared and repeated to the children of Israel in the country of Sihon and Og, who were delivered into their hands, and their lands possessed by them, which laid them under fresh obligations to yield obedience to God, De 4:44-49.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.