Deuteronomy 4:6

6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

Deuteronomy 4:6 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:6

Keep therefore and do them
. Observe them, take notice of what is expressed by them, and perform them, both as to matter and manner, as they require:

for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
nations;
that is, their wisdom and understanding would appear to other nations by their observance of the commands of God:

which hear all these statutes;
which they had a report, got knowledge of by some of the philosophers who travelled into those parts, and by the translation of the Bible into the Greek language:

and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people;
that had such a body of laws, in which they were instructed, and according to which they were governed, and in which they walked; that were so agreeable to reason, truth, justice, and equity; insomuch that so far as they became known they were admired and copied after, both by Greeks and Romans; and hence it was that the oracle F6 declared, that only the Chaldeans and Hebrews were a wise people; the Hebrews came from Chaldea, as Abraham the father of them.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 Apud Porphyr. in Euseb Evangel. Praepar. l. 9. c. 10. p. 413.

Deuteronomy 4:6 In-Context

4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.
5 See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.
6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
7 For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
8 And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
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