Deuteronomy 29:15

KJV

But with [him] that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with [him] that [is] not here with us this day:

KJV (with Strong's)

But with him that standeth {H5975} here with us this {H3426} day {H3117} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, and also with him that is not here with us this day {H3117}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, I am making it both with him who is standing here with us today before ADONAI our God and also with him who is not here with us today.

Berean Standard Bible

but also with those who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God, as well as with those who are not here today.

American Standard Version

but with him that standeth here with us this day before Jehovah our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:15, a pivotal declaration within Moses' final covenant address, profoundly expands the scope of God's covenant beyond the immediate assembly on the plains of Moab. It encompasses all future generations of Israel, underscoring the enduring, generational nature of God's promises and His sovereign foresight. This verse reveals His intention to establish an everlasting relationship with His chosen people, binding them collectively across time to His divine law and redemptive purposes, thereby ensuring the continuity of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 29:15 is situated within Moses' third and final major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This entire chapter, [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - Covenant Renewal in Moab"), serves as a solemn covenant renewal ceremony, echoing and reaffirming the covenant made at Mount Sinai. Moses meticulously recounts God's past faithfulness and reiterates the terms, blessings, and curses associated with the covenant. Verse 15 follows directly from [Deuteronomy 29:14](/deuteronomy/29-14 "Deuteronomy 29:14 - Covenant Not Just with You Only"), which explicitly states, "Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath." This sets the stage for the expansive reach articulated in verse 15, clarifying *who* else is included beyond the immediate, visible assembly. The subsequent verses, [Deuteronomy 29:16-29](/deuteronomy/29-16-29 "Deuteronomy 29:16-29 - Consequences of Disobedience"), then detail the dire consequences of covenant breaking, emphasizing the corporate responsibility inherent in this generational pact.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, around 1406 BC, just before the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, now a new generation after the wilderness wanderings, stand poised to inherit the land promised to their ancestors. Covenant ceremonies were a common feature in the ancient Near East, often involving a suzerain (a powerful king) establishing terms with a vassal (a lesser king or people). God, as the divine Suzerain, establishes His covenant with Israel, His vassal people. This particular ceremony is crucial for solidifying their identity as a nation under God's law before they enter a land filled with idolatrous practices. The inclusion of "those not here with us this day" was not merely a rhetorical flourish but a legal and theological declaration, binding future generations to the terms, much like a national constitution binds all citizens, present and future, to its foundational principles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Generational Covenant**, emphasizing that God's relationship with Israel is not ephemeral but extends across time, ensuring the continuity of His promises and His people. This concept is foundational to understanding God's long-term redemptive plan, as seen in His promises to Abraham in [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - Everlasting Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants"). Secondly, it underscores **God's Omniscience and Foresight**, demonstrating that God's covenant is not reactive but proactive, encompassing those yet unborn. This reveals His complete knowledge of the future and His sovereign control over history. Finally, the verse powerfully conveys the theme of **Corporate Responsibility**, binding the entire nation—past, present, and future—as a single entity accountable to God's law. This collective identity means that the actions of one generation could impact subsequent ones, reinforcing the importance of faithfulness for the well-being of the entire community, a principle echoed in passages like [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Its Consequences").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Standeth (Hebrew, _ʻâmad'_):** Derived from the verb H5975, this word means "to stand, to remain, to endure." In this context, it refers to the physical presence of the assembly before the Lord, signifying their active participation and acknowledgment of the covenant. The act of "standing" implies readiness, attention, and a posture of commitment, underscoring that those present are actively entering into this solemn agreement with God. It denotes a firm, established position, indicating their readiness to uphold the covenant terms.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068, this is the proper name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies the self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping God of Israel. Moses' use of "the LORD our God" emphasizes the personal and exclusive relationship between this divine Suzerain and His chosen people, highlighting His unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to the covenant He initiates. It underscores the ultimate authority and faithfulness of the One before whom they stand.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** H430, this plural noun (often used with a singular meaning for the supreme God) refers to the divine being, emphasizing His power, majesty, and transcendence. When combined with "LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh), it forms a powerful designation for the one true God, who is both intimately involved in Israel's history and supremely sovereign over all creation. Its use here reinforces the absolute authority and divine nature of the covenant initiator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But with [him] that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God":** This clause specifically addresses the immediate audience. It includes every Israelite present on the plains of Moab, from the leaders and elders to the women, children, and even the lowliest woodcutters and water carriers, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 29:10-11](/deuteronomy/29-10-11 "Deuteronomy 29:10-11 - All Israel Stands Before the Lord"). The phrase "this day" emphasizes the solemnity and immediacy of the covenant renewal, making it a current and binding agreement for all who are physically present and bearing witness. They are standing "before the LORD our God," signifying the divine witness and ultimate authority of the covenant's initiator, who sees and hears their commitment.
* **"and also with [him] that [is] not here with us this day":** This is the expansive and forward-looking declaration. It extends the covenant's reach to all future generations of Israelites who would be born into the nation, as well as any contemporary Israelites who might be geographically absent from the assembly but are still part of the covenant community. This inclusion of the "not here" group establishes the covenant as an enduring, generational pact, ensuring its continuity and binding nature for all who would ever be considered part of God's chosen people, regardless of their individual presence at this specific historical moment. It demonstrates God's comprehensive foresight and His intention for the covenant to transcend time and space.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:15 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message of covenant continuity. **Antithesis** is prominently featured, contrasting "him that standeth here with us this day" with "him that is not here with us this day." This stark opposition highlights the dual scope of the covenant—immediate and future—and underscores its comprehensive reach across generations. The repetition of the phrase "with us this day" functions as **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the present moment's solemn significance while simultaneously extending its implications into perpetuity. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Synecdoche**, where "him that standeth" and "him that is not here" represent the entire collective body of Israel, both present and future generations, rather than merely individual persons. This reinforces the concept of Israel as a unified, corporate entity bound by a singular, enduring covenant with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 29:15 is a cornerstone for understanding the enduring nature of God's covenants and His faithfulness across generations. It reveals God's sovereign plan to establish an everlasting relationship with His people, a relationship not limited by time or physical presence. This generational inclusion underscores the corporate identity of Israel, where the covenant made with the patriarchs and renewed at Sinai extends its blessings and obligations to all who would be born into the nation. It speaks to God's foresight, His knowledge of the future, and His unwavering commitment to His promises, providing a profound sense of security and continuity for His people. The verse also implicitly sets the stage for the New Covenant, demonstrating God's consistent desire to include and redeem all who belong to Him, regardless of their physical proximity to a foundational event, highlighting His expansive grace.

* [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "God's Everlasting Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants")
* [Psalm 78:5-7](/psalm/78-5-7 "God's Law for Future Generations")
* [Acts 2:39](/acts/2-39 "The Promise is for You and Your Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:15 calls us to reflect on the profound implications of God's generational covenant. It reminds us that our faith is not an isolated, individual experience but is deeply connected to a historical lineage of believers and a future trajectory of God's ongoing work. Just as the Israelites were bound by a covenant made before many of them were born, we too inherit the promises and responsibilities of God's redemptive plan through Christ. This verse challenges us to consider our role in passing on the legacy of faith to future generations, ensuring that the knowledge of God's truth and the experience of His grace continue beyond our lifetime. It fosters a sense of corporate identity within the body of Christ, recognizing that we are part of a larger story, called to live faithfully not just for ourselves but for the sake of those who will follow, stewarding the gospel for the next generation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the generational nature of God's covenant impact your view of your personal faith journey and your connection to the broader church?**
* **In what practical ways can you contribute to passing on a vibrant, authentic faith to future generations within your family, church, or community?**
* **What does it mean to live with a sense of corporate responsibility, recognizing that your actions can have implications for others, both present and future, within the body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "him that is not here with us this day" specifically refer to?**

Answer: This phrase primarily refers to all future generations of Israel who would be born after this covenant renewal ceremony on the plains of Moab. It signifies that the covenant was not a one-time agreement limited to the immediate participants but was intended to be an enduring, binding pact for the entire nation throughout its history. It could also encompass any contemporary Israelites who were, for various legitimate reasons, physically absent from the assembly but were still considered part of the covenant community. The overarching point is the expansive and perpetual nature of God's covenant with His people, extending beyond the visible present to include all who would ever belong to Israel, demonstrating God's sovereign foresight and enduring faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 29:15, with its expansive vision of a covenant embracing both present and future generations, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, though generational and binding, was still limited to a specific ethnic lineage and a particular land. However, Christ, as the "seed" to whom the promises were ultimately made ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise Made to Abraham's Seed")), inaugurates a New Covenant that transcends ethnic and temporal boundaries. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus becomes the mediator of a better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")) that is not merely passed down biologically but is entered into by faith, making believers "children of Abraham" by spiritual adoption ([Galatians 3:7](/galatians/3-7 "Galatians 3:7 - Those of Faith Are Children of Abraham")). The "not here with us this day" of [Deuteronomy 29:15](/deuteronomy/29-15 "Deuteronomy 29:15 - Covenant with Future Generations") beautifully foreshadows the inclusion of all peoples—Jew and Gentile—into God's redemptive plan, as prophesied in the Old Testament ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")) and fully realized in the Church, the body of Christ, where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). Thus, the generational promise of God's enduring covenant is fulfilled in Christ, who gathers all who believe, from every generation and every nation, into an eternal, spiritual family, writing His law not on tablets of stone but on their hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Deuteronomy 5:3

The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

Jeremiah 50:5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, [saying], Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant [that] shall not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 32:39

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: