Deuteronomy 4:6

6 Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, "What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!"

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 were loyal to the LORD your God and are still alive today.
5 I have taught you laws and rules as the LORD my God commanded me. You must obey them when you've entered the land and taken possession of it.
6 Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, "What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!"
7 What great nation ever had their gods as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we pray to him?
8 Or what other great nation has such fair laws and rules as all these teachings I am giving you today?
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