King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Complete Jewish Bible:
You will perish just like the nations that ADONAI is causing to perish ahead of you, because you will not have heeded the voice of ADONAI your God."
Berean Standard Bible:
Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.
American Standard Version:
As the nations that Jehovah maketh to perish before you, so shall ye perish; because ye would not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah your God.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
As the nations{H1471} which the LORD{H3068} destroyeth{H6} before your face{H6440}, so shall ye perish{H6}; because{H6118} ye would not be obedient{H8085} unto the voice{H6963} of the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Daniel 9:11
- Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Daniel 9:12
- And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 36:16
- But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.
2 Chronicles 36:17
- Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 8:20
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Judgment:** The verse emphasizes that disobedience to God's commands will lead to severe consequences, much like the nations that Israel saw destroyed for their own disobedience.
2. **Obedience and Blessing:** There is an underlying theme that obedience to God leads to life and prosperity, while disobedience leads to destruction.
3. **Covenant Faithfulness:** This verse reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where God expects Israel to remain faithful to His laws as part of their covenant obligations.
4. **Warning and Instruction:** The verse serves as a warning to the Israelites to learn from the fate of other nations and to choose obedience over rebellion.
**Historical Context:**
Deuteronomy 8:20 is part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites as they are encamped in the plains of Moab, ready to enter the Promised Land. This discourse is a series of speeches that recall the journey from Egypt, reiterate the law, and prepare the people for their new life in Canaan.
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as Moses' final words to the Israelites before they enter the land without him. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness during their wilderness wanderings and as a guide for how they are to live in the land, emphasizing the importance of exclusive loyalty to Yahweh and adherence to the covenant stipulations.
The historical context of this verse is set during the last days of Moses' leadership, around the 13th century BCE, as the Israelites are transitioning from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a sedentary life in Canaan. The warnings Moses gives are meant to ensure the survival and faithfulness of the nation in the new land, where they will be surrounded by cultures with different religious practices and beliefs.
In summary, Deuteronomy 8:20 is a stark reminder to the Israelites of the conditional nature of their covenant with God. It is both a historical reference to the destruction of other nations and a prophetic warning of what could befall Israel if they abandon God's laws. The verse underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands as the key to national survival and divine blessing.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6
There are 14291 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָבַד
Transliteration: ʼâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H6118
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵקֶב
Transliteration: ʻêqeb
Pronunciation: ay'-keb
Description: from עָקַב in the sense of עָקֵב; a heel, i.e. (figuratively) the last of anything (used adverbially, for ever); also result, i.e. compensation; and so (adverb with preposition or relatively) on account of; [idiom] because, by, end, for, if, reward. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.