TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
Complete Jewish Bible
For this mitzvah which I am giving you today is not too hard for you, it is not beyond your reach.
Berean Standard Bible
For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
American Standard Version
For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off.
World English Bible Messianic
For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you or too distant.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For this commandement which I commande thee this day, is not hid from thee, neither is it farre off.
Young's Literal Translation
`For this command which I am commanding thee to-day, it is not too wonderful for thee, nor is it far off.
See also
In the KJVVerse 5,720 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Deuteronomy 30 verses 11–14
11 ¶ For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Moses here urges them to obedience from the consideration of the plainness and easiness of the command.
I. This is true of the law of Moses. They could never plead in excuse of their disobedience that God had enjoined them that which was either unintelligible or impracticable, impossible to be known or to be done (Deu 30:11): It is not hidden from thee. That is, not send messengers to heaven (Deu 30:12), to enquire what thou must do to please God; nor needest thou go beyond sea (Deu 30:13), as the philosophers did, that travelled through many and distant regions in pursuit of learning; no, thou art not put to that labour and expense; nor is the commandment within the reach of those only that have a great estate or a refined genius, but it is very nigh unto thee, Deu 30:14. It is written in thy books, made plain upon tables, so that he that runs may read it; thy priests' lips keep this knowledge, and, when any difficulty arises, thou mayest ask the law at their mouth, Mal 2:7. It is not communicated in a strange language; but it is in thy mouth, that is, in the vulgar tongue that is commonly used by thee, in which thou mayest hear it read, and talk of it familiarly among thy children. It is not wrapped up in obscure phrases or figures to puzzle and amuse thee, or in hieroglyphics, but it is in thy heart; it is delivered in such a manner as that it is level to thy capacity, even to the capacity of the meanest." 2. "It is not too hard nor heavy for thee:" so the Septuagint reads it, Deu 30:11. Thou needest not say, "As good attempt to climb to heaven, or flee upon the wings of the morning to the uttermost part of the sea, as go about to do all the words of this law:" no, the matter is not so; it is no such intolerable yoke as some ill-minded people represent it. It was indeed a heavy yoke in comparison with that of Christ (Act 15:10), but not in comparison with the idolatrous services of the neighbouring nations. God appeals to themselves that he had not made them to serve with an offering, nor wearied them with incense, Isa 43:23; Mic 6:3. But he speaks especially of the moral law, and its precepts: "That is very nigh thee, consonant to the law of nature, which would have been found in every man's heart, and every man's mouth, if he would but have attended to it. There is that in thee which consents to the law that it is good, Rom 7:16. Thou hast therefore no reason to complain of any insuperable difficulty in the observance of it."
II. This is true of the gospel of Christ, to which the apostle applies it, and makes it the language of the righteousness which is of faith, Rom 10:6-8. And many think this is principally intended by Moses here; for he wrote of Christ, Joh 5:46. This is God's commandment now under the gospel that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, Jo1 3:23. If we ask, as the blind man did, Lord, who is he? or where is he, that we may believe on him? (Joh 9:36), this scripture gives an answer, We need not go up to heaven, to fetch him thence, for he has come down thence in his incarnation; nor down to the deep, to fetch him thence, for thence he has come up in his resurrection. But the word is nigh us, and Christ in that word; so that if we believe with the heart that the promises of the incarnation and resurrection of the Messiah are fulfilled in our Lord Jesus, and receive him accordingly, and confess him with our mouth, we have then Christ with us, and we shall be saved. He is near, very near, that justifies us. The law was plain and easy, but the gospel much more so.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–14. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 30:11, delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab, stands as a profound declaration of the divine instructions' clarity and accessibility. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reiterated the covenant's terms, emphasizing that God's expectations were neither mysterious nor beyond their grasp, but rather clearly revealed and within their capacity to understand and obey. This verse serves as a foundational statement affirming God's desire for His people to know and walk in His will without excuse.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within Moses' climactic final discourse to the Israelites, often referred to as the Deuteronomic Code, specifically within the concluding chapters (Deuteronomy 29-30) that detail the covenant renewal ceremony. These chapters present a stark choice between blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, culminating in a passionate call to choose life by loving God and obeying His voice. Immediately preceding this declaration, Moses outlines a future scenario of national repentance and restoration following a period of exile, promising God's compassionate return of His people to the land, circumcising their hearts so they may love Him fully, as detailed in Deuteronomy 30:1-10. The verses directly following Deuteronomy 30:11 further elaborate on the commandment's profound accessibility, explicitly stating that it is "not in heaven...neither is it beyond the sea...But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it," as found in Deuteronomy 30:12-14. This immediate literary context reinforces the idea that God's will is not an esoteric secret but a tangible reality for His people.
Historical & Cultural Context: Moses' address takes place on the plains of Moab, just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan, marking a pivotal transition from wilderness wandering to settled life in the Promised Land. This setting imbues the message with urgency and finality, as the generation that experienced the Exodus is passing, and a new generation is about to inherit the covenant responsibilities. The structure of Deuteronomy often mirrors ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where a great king (Suzerain) establishes terms with a lesser king or people (Vassal), outlining obligations, blessings for fidelity, and curses for rebellion. In this framework, the clarity of the "commandment" is paramount, as it forms the basis of the covenant relationship and the people's accountability. Culturally, the emphasis on hearing and remembering was vital in an oral society, underscoring the importance of the law being clearly articulated and internalized by every individual, not just a priestly elite. The very act of Moses speaking these words to the entire assembly signifies the public and accessible nature of God's demands, ensuring no one could claim ignorance.
Key Themes: The central message of this verse powerfully underscores the Accessibility of God's Will. It refutes any notion that God's commandments are obscure, mysterious, or difficult to understand, asserting instead that they are openly revealed and within the reach of the people. This leads directly to the theme of Divine Clarity: God desires His people to know His will plainly, dispelling any idea that obedience is impossible due to hidden requirements or complex spiritual knowledge reserved for a select few. Because the law is not "hidden" or "far off," the Israelites bear the profound Personal Responsibility to hear, understand, and obey it. There is no legitimate excuse for ignorance or inability to comply, as highlighted by Moses' repeated calls to obedience throughout the book of Deuteronomy. Finally, the clarity of the commandments highlights the nature of God's Covenant Relationship with Israel—a relationship built on clear communication and mutual understanding, not on enigmatic demands or an arbitrary divine will. This theme resonates throughout the entire book, which repeatedly calls Israel to remember, obey, and love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and might.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 30:11 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Negation, seen in the repeated use of "not" and "neither." By explicitly denying that the commandment is "hidden" or "far off," Moses powerfully affirms its opposite: clarity, proximity, and attainability. This creates a strong sense of Antithesis or Contrast, setting up the implied reality of the commandment being "near" (as explicitly stated in Deuteronomy 30:14) against the rejected notions of obscurity and distance. The phrase "which I command thee this day" is a form of Direct Address, making the message personal and urgent for each individual Israelite. This rhetorical choice fosters a sense of immediate responsibility and engagement, ensuring the audience understands that the message is for them, personally, and not merely a general decree.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 30:11 encapsulates a fundamental theological truth about God's character and His relationship with humanity: He is a God who reveals, not conceals. Unlike the enigmatic deities of surrounding pagan cultures, the God of Israel makes His will, His expectations, and the path to a flourishing life abundantly clear. This clarity is foundational to the covenant, establishing a basis for genuine relationship, informed obedience, and righteous accountability. It underscores that God desires a people who willingly and knowingly walk in His ways, rather than stumbling in ignorance or being burdened by impossible demands. The accessibility of the "commandment" reflects God's grace and His desire for His people to succeed in their covenant responsibilities, providing them with all the necessary guidance and empowering them to live lives that honor Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 30:11 holds enduring relevance for believers today, serving as a profound assurance that God's will for our lives is not an elusive secret, hidden behind complex theological concepts or reserved for a select few. Through His written Word, the Bible, and the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, God continues to make His expectations abundantly clear and accessible to all who seek Him. This verse calls us to diligently engage with Scripture, not as an academic exercise, but as a direct encounter with God's revealed truth, seeking to understand and live by His divine principles. It encourages us that the path to a vibrant relationship with God and a life pleasing to Him is not convoluted or exclusive, but rather a clear invitation to walk in His ways, empowered by His grace. Just as God's word was near to Israel, so it is near to us, ready to be received, internalized, and acted upon, removing any excuse for spiritual apathy or ignorance. Our responsibility is to respond to this divine clarity with attentive hearts and obedient lives, trusting that what God commands, He also enables.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is "this commandment" referring to in Deuteronomy 30:11?
Answer: In the context of Deuteronomy, "this commandment" (or "this law," "this word") refers not to a single, specific instruction, but to the entirety of the covenant law and God's revealed will given to Israel through Moses. It encompasses the moral, civil, and ceremonial laws, representing the comprehensive body of divine instructions that governed their relationship with God and their life as a holy nation. It is the sum total of God's expectations for their covenant fidelity and flourishing, designed to lead them to life and blessing in the Promised Land, as outlined throughout the book of Deuteronomy.
How does Paul use this verse in Romans 10:6-8?
Answer: The Apostle Paul famously quotes and reinterprets Deuteronomy 30:11-14 in Romans 10:6-8 to illustrate the accessibility of righteousness that comes by faith in Christ, contrasting it with the perceived difficulty and impossibility of achieving righteousness through strict adherence to the Law. Paul adapts Moses' words, saying, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down) or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." He then concludes, "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach)." Paul applies the principle of the commandment's proximity and clarity to the gospel message, emphasizing that salvation is not attained by human effort (like ascending to heaven or crossing the sea) but by believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth the easily accessible "word of faith" concerning Jesus Christ. This demonstrates how the Old Testament principle of accessible revelation finds its ultimate fulfillment and application in the New Testament's message of salvation by grace through faith.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 30:11 declares the accessibility of the Mosaic Law, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant law, though clear and near, could not ultimately grant righteousness or the power to perfectly obey, as human hearts remained prone to wander and were "weakened by the flesh," as Romans 8:3 explains. Christ, however, is the very embodiment and ultimate revelation of God's accessible will. He is the Word made flesh, the one who perfectly fulfilled the Law and through whom God has made Himself fully known, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" (John 1:18). In Christ, the "commandment" is not just "not hidden" or "far off," but is brought into the very heart of the believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who writes God's laws on our hearts and minds, establishing a new covenant where "I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts" (Hebrews 8:10). Jesus himself declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life", signifying that the path to God and His will is no longer a set of external commands but a living Person. Through faith in Him, the righteousness that the Law demanded is freely given, for "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4), and the power to live according to God's accessible will is provided by the Spirit, whom Christ sends as our Helper (John 14:26). Thus, the accessibility promised in Deuteronomy finds its glorious reality in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, making God's will not just near, but intimately present within us.