Deuteronomy 29:12

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:

That thou shouldest enter {H5674} into covenant {H1285} with the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and into his oath {H423}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} maketh {H3772} with thee this day {H3117}:

The purpose is that you should enter into the covenant of ADONAI your God and into his oath which ADONAI your God is making with you today,

so that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD your God, which He is making with you today, and into His oath,

that thou mayest enter into the covenant of Jehovah thy God, and into his oath, which Jehovah thy God maketh with thee this day;

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 29:12 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. This particular section (Deuteronomy 29:1-29) describes a solemn covenant renewal ceremony. While the initial covenant was established at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:7), this passage emphasizes a fresh commitment for the generation that grew up in the wilderness and was now poised to inherit the land. It underscores that the covenant was not just with their fathers but with all of them, present and future, highlighting the enduring nature of God's relationship with His people.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Renewal: The verse explicitly states that Israel is entering into "covenant with the LORD thy God." This was not a new covenant, but a reaffirmation and fresh embrace of the existing covenant relationship established at Sinai, tailored for the new generation about to enter Canaan.
  • Divine Initiative: The phrase "which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day" highlights that this covenant is God's gracious initiative. He is the one establishing the terms and inviting His people into this binding relationship, demonstrating His faithfulness and commitment.
  • Solemn Oath: The inclusion of "his oath" elevates the seriousness and binding nature of the agreement. An oath implies a solemn declaration, often with blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience, emphasizing the gravity of their commitment to God.
  • Corporate Responsibility: Although not explicitly stated in this single verse, the broader context of Deuteronomy 29:10-11 indicates that this covenant included all of Israel โ€“ men, women, children, and even the strangers among them โ€“ signifying a communal responsibility and destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berรฎt (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช), which signifies a solemn agreement, often initiated by a superior party (in this case, God) and involving mutual obligations and promises. The term "oath" is โ€™ฤlรข (ืึธืœึธื”), which refers to a solemn declaration, often invoking divine judgment or a curse upon oneself if the terms are violated. This emphasizes the binding and serious nature of the commitment God was making with Israel, and the reciprocal commitment expected from them.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 29:12 offers several timeless insights for believers today:

  • God's Enduring Faithfulness: Just as God renewed His covenant with Israel, He continues to be faithful to His promises to us. The concept of God's covenant culminates in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, offering forgiveness and a deeper relationship.
  • Personal Commitment: While the covenant was corporate for Israel, it calls each individual to a personal walk of faith and obedience. We are continually invited to renew our commitment to God and walk in agreement with His will.
  • Seriousness of Our Vows: The emphasis on God's "oath" reminds us of the solemnity with which God enters into agreements, and by extension, the seriousness with which we should approach our own promises, especially those made to God or in His presence.
  • Corporate Identity: Like ancient Israel, believers today are part of a covenant community, the Church. We share a collective responsibility to uphold God's truth and live according to His precepts, supporting one another in faith.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 15:12 (4 votes)

    And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

  • 2 Chronicles 15:15 (4 votes)

    And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

  • 2 Kings 11:17 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.

  • Exodus 19:5 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:6 (2 votes)

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Nehemiah 10:28 (2 votes)

    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 10:29 (2 votes)

    They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;