Deuteronomy 32:47

47 for it [is] not a trifling matter among you, but it [is] your life, and through this word {you will live long in the land} that you [are about] to cross the Jordan [to get] there to take possession of it."

Deuteronomy 32:47 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:47

For it [is] not a vain thing for you
That is, the law is not, and the observance of it in them and their children; it was no light and trifling matter, but of great importance and consequence, obedience to it being attended with rewards, and disobedience with punishment:

because it [is] your life:
if obeyed, the means of a comfortable and happy life, in the enjoyment of all good things, of the preservation and continuance of it to a length of time; and long life was always reckoned a great temporal mercy:

and through this thing ye shall prolong [your] days in the land
whither you go over Jordan to possess it;
that is, through their obedience to the law they should live long in the land of Canaan, which they were just going to possess; which explains what is meant by its being their life; their comfortable living and continuance in the land depended on their obedience to the law; see ( Isaiah 1:19 Isaiah 1:20 ) .

Deuteronomy 32:47 In-Context

45 {And when Moses finished speaking} all these words to all Israel,

46 then he said to them, "{Take to heart all the words} that I [am] admonishing [against] you {today} [concerning] which you should instruct them [with respect to] your children {so that they will observe diligently} all the words of this law,

47 for it [is] not a trifling matter among you, but it [is] your life, and through this word {you will live long in the land} that you [are about] to cross the Jordan [to get] there to take possession of it."

48 And Yahweh said to Moses on exactly this day, {saying},

49 "Go up to this mountain of the Abarim [range], Mount Nebo, which [is] {opposite Jericho}, and see the land of Canaan that I [am] giving to the {Israelites} as [a] possession.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "you will make long days on the land"