Deuteronomy 29:15

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:

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}:

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.

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.

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

Deuteronomy 29:15 (KJV) is a pivotal verse within Moses' final address to the Israelites in Moab, emphasizing the enduring nature and broad scope of God's covenant with His people.

Context of Deuteronomy 29:15

This verse is part of a significant covenant renewal ceremony taking place on the plains of Moab, just before the Israelites are to enter the Promised Land. Moses is recounting God's faithfulness and reiterating the terms of the covenant established at Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 29:14 explicitly states that the covenant is "not with you only," and verse 15 then clarifies this expansive reach. The immediate audience standing "here with us this day" includes all the men, women, and children present, as well as their leaders and even the woodcutters and water carriers (Deuteronomy 29:10-11). The profound aspect of verse 15 is its inclusion of those "not here with us this day," referring to future generations yet unborn, or those who were physically absent but still part of the nation of Israel. This highlights the foundational principle of a generational covenant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Generational Covenant: The primary message is that God's covenant is not limited to a single generation but extends through time to their descendants. This underscores God's long-term plan and faithfulness to His people across the ages.
  • God's Omniscience and Foresight: The Lord, through Moses, declares a covenant that encompasses not only those present but also those future generations, demonstrating God's complete knowledge of what is to come and His proactive inclusion of all His people.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The covenant establishes a collective responsibility for the entire nation of Israel, binding them as one people under God's law, whether they were present at its initial pronouncement or would be born into it later. This concept of God's covenant written on the hearts of His people continues into the New Testament.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "with [him] that standeth here... and also with [him] that [is] not here" powerfully conveys the two groups being addressed: the immediate, living assembly and the future generations. The Hebrew text similarly distinguishes between those "who are standing here with us today" (ื”ึธืขึนืžึฐื“ึดื™ื ืขึดืžึผึธื ื•ึผ ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื) and "those who are not here with us today" (ืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ ืขึดืžึผึธื ื•ึผ ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื). This simple distinction carries profound theological weight, indicating the enduring nature of God's promises and the inheritance of the covenant across time.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 29:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Enduring Promises: It reassures us that God's promises and His character are unchanging. The covenant He makes is eternal, providing a solid foundation for faith.
  • Passing on the Faith: This verse emphasizes our responsibility to teach and exemplify faith to future generations. Just as the covenant extended to those not present, we are called to ensure that the knowledge of God's truth is passed down (Psalm 78:4).
  • Inclusion in God's Plan: It reminds us that God's redemptive plan is vast and inclusive, encompassing not only those who first heard the Gospel but also those who would believe throughout history, including us. This foreshadows the broader inclusion of Gentiles into the new covenant through Christ (Ephesians 2:19-20).

The verse highlights God's incredible foresight and His desire for His covenant relationship to span all generations, providing hope and a call to faithfulness for all who follow Him.

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

  • 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:
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