Deuteronomy 4:44-49

44 This is the law which Moshe set before the children of Yisra'el:

45 these are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moshe spoke to the children of Yisra'el, when they came forth out of Mitzrayim,

46 beyond the Yarden, in the valley over against Beit-Pe`or, in the land of Sichon king of the Amori, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moshe and the children of Yisra'el struck, when they came forth out of Mitzrayim.

47 They took his land in possession, and the land of `Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amori, who were beyond the Yarden toward the sunrise;

48 from `Aro`er, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Tzion (the same is Hermon),

49 and all the `Aravah beyond the Yarden eastward, even to the sea of the `Aravah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

Deuteronomy 4:44-49 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.