Deuteronomy 29:10

¶ Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, [with] all the men of Israel,

Ye stand {H5324} this day {H3117} all of you before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}; your captains {H7218} of your tribes {H7626}, your elders {H2205}, and your officers {H7860}, with all the men {H376} of Israel {H3478},

"Today you are standing, all of you, before ADONAI your God - your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your officers - all the men of Isra'el,

All of you are standing today before the LORD your God—you leaders of tribes, elders, officials, and all the men of Israel,

Ye stand this day all of you before Jehovah your God; your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:10 marks a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel. This verse begins Moses' final major address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. It sets the stage for a solemn covenant renewal ceremony, emphasizing the collective presence and responsibility of the entire nation before God.

Context

This verse opens what is often considered the third major discourse of Moses in the book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites, having wandered in the wilderness for forty years, are now encamped in the plains of Moab, looking across the Jordan River to the land God promised them. The generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea has passed away, and Moses is now addressing their children, the new generation. This address is not merely a recap but a re-affirmation and expansion of the covenant first made at Mount Sinai, preparing them for life in the land under God's law.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Renewal: The primary theme is the re-establishment and re-commitment to the covenant between God and Israel. This was not a new covenant but a solemn renewal of the existing one, ensuring its continuation through the generations.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The phrase "all of you" followed by a detailed list—"your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel"—underscores that every individual, from the highest leader to the common man, was included and accountable. This highlights the communal nature of faith and obedience within the Israelite society.
  • Divine Presence and Accountability: To "stand this day... before the LORD your God" signifies a moment of profound reverence, submission, and direct accountability. It emphasizes that God Himself was the witness and the party with whom they were entering into this binding agreement.
  • Unity and Inclusion: The meticulous listing of various societal groups demonstrates that the covenant applied universally across all segments of the Israelite community, promoting unity in their commitment to God's statutes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stand" here is amad (עָמַד), which implies more than just physical posture. It denotes taking a position of readiness, steadfastness, or presence for a solemn, official, or judicial act. It conveys the idea of presenting oneself for a specific purpose, often involving responsibility or service. This was not a casual gathering but a formal assembly before the sovereign God.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 29:10 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of periodic spiritual renewal, both individually and corporately. Just as God renewed His covenant with a new generation of Israelites, believers today are called to regularly reaffirm their commitment to Him and His Word. The emphasis on "all of you" teaches us that spiritual responsibility is shared among all members of a community, from leadership to the newest member. Our standing "before the LORD your God" highlights the solemnity and accountability of our relationship with the Divine. It calls us to live with an awareness of God's constant presence and to approach our faith with the seriousness and dedication expected of those in covenant with the Creator.

This verse encourages us to consider our own place within the body of believers and how we contribute to the collective faithfulness of God's people, echoing the call to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 23:16

    And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

  • Deuteronomy 31:12

    Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

  • Deuteronomy 31:13

    And [that] their children, which have not known [any thing], may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

  • Nehemiah 10:28

    And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

  • Nehemiah 9:1

    ¶ Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.

  • Nehemiah 9:2

    And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:29

    ¶ Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
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