Deuteronomy 30:13

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither is it beyond {H5676} the sea {H3220}, that thou shouldest say {H559}, Who shall go {H5674} over {H5676} the sea {H3220} for us, and bring {H3947} it unto us, that we may hear {H8085} it, and do {H6213} it?

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, it isn't beyond the sea, so that you need to ask, 'Who will cross the sea for us, bring it to us and make us hear it, so that we can obey it?'

Berean Standard Bible

And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’

American Standard Version

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 30:13 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by Moses, emphasizing the profound accessibility of God's commandments. It asserts that the divine law is not an elusive, distant mystery requiring an arduous, impossible journey across the sea to discover, but rather a revealed truth that is near and readily available to the Israelites. This verse underscores God's gracious provision of His will, making obedience a matter of choice and responsibility rather than an insurmountable quest for hidden knowledge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 30:13 is part of a climactic section in Moses' final address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 30:1-10) outline the promise of restoration and return to the land after future exile, contingent upon their repentance and renewed obedience. Following this, verses 11-14, which include our focal verse, serve as a direct assurance that the covenant stipulations are neither too difficult nor too far away. Moses explicitly states that the commandment "is not too hard for you, neither is it far off" [Deuteronomy 30:11](/deuteronomy/30-11 "Deuteronomy 30:11 - The Accessibility of the Law"). Verse 13, therefore, builds on this declaration, using vivid imagery to dismiss any notion of inaccessibility, leading directly into the affirmation in [Deuteronomy 30:14](/deuteronomy/30-14 "Deuteronomy 30:14 - The Word is Near") that "the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it." This entire section culminates in the profound choice presented in [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life"), urging the people to "choose life" through love and obedience to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses is speaking to a generation that has grown up in the wilderness, on the cusp of inheriting the land promised to their ancestors. They are about to transition from a nomadic existence to settled life in Canaan, a land filled with pagan practices. The concept of "beyond the sea" (מֵעֵבֶר לַיָּם, _me'ever layyam_) would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience. For them, the sea, particularly the vast expanse of the Mediterranean, represented the ultimate boundary of the known world, a place of mystery, danger, and extreme distance. Journeys across such waters were perilous and infrequent, often associated with mythical quests or extraordinary feats. Thus, to say something was "beyond the sea" was to declare it utterly inaccessible or impossible to obtain through human effort. Moses' rhetorical question effectively dismisses any excuse that God's law is an esoteric secret requiring a heroic, impossible expedition to acquire, contrasting it with the reality that God has already revealed His will clearly and directly to them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent is the **Accessibility of God's Revelation**. Moses emphatically states that God's will is not hidden or obscure, countering any idea that the people could claim ignorance due to its remoteness. This theme is foundational to the covenant relationship, as a just God would not demand obedience to an unknowable law. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Grace versus Human Futility**. God, in His grace, has already brought His commandments to His people; they do not need to strive or undertake impossible journeys to discover them. This contrasts sharply with pagan religions where divine will was often sought through complex rituals, omens, or arduous quests. Finally, the verse implicitly reinforces the theme of **Human Responsibility and Accountability**. Because the law is so near and accessible, the Israelites are held fully accountable for their response—to "hear it, and do it." This sets the stage for the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), emphasizing that their destiny is tied directly to their obedience to a clearly revealed divine will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **מֵעֵבֶר לַיָּם (_me'ever layyam_):** This Hebrew phrase literally translates to "from beyond the sea" or "across the sea." In ancient Israelite cosmology and geography, the sea (often referring to the Mediterranean) represented the furthest reaches of the known world, a vast and often dangerous expanse. The use of this phrase here is a **hyperbole**, emphasizing an extreme, virtually insurmountable distance. It evokes the idea of something utterly inaccessible, requiring an impossible journey to obtain. Moses uses this vivid imagery to dismiss any notion that God's commandments are hidden in some remote, unreachable place.
* **מִי יַעֲבָר (_mi ya'avar_):** This means "Who shall go over?" or "Who will cross?" It is a **rhetorical question** designed to elicit the obvious answer: "No one!" or "It's impossible!" This rhetorical device powerfully underscores the futility and impossibility of human effort to retrieve God's law if it were truly "beyond the sea." By posing such a question, Moses highlights the absurdity of the premise, thereby reinforcing the immediate availability of the divine word.
* **לְשָׁמְעָהּ וְלַעֲשֹׂתָהּ (_lešom'ah vela'asotah_):** This phrase means "to hear it, and to do it." It encapsulates the dual expectation of the covenant: **reception and response**. "Hearing" (שָׁמַע, _shama_) in Hebrew often implies not just auditory perception but also understanding, internalizing, and obeying. "Doing" (עָשָׂה, _'asah_) signifies active compliance and practical application. This phrase underscores that the purpose of the law's accessibility is not merely intellectual knowledge but transformative obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither [is] it beyond the sea,"**: This opening clause directly refutes the idea that the commandment is located in an extremely distant or inaccessible place. The "it" refers to the commandment or the word of God, declared in [Deuteronomy 30:11](/deuteronomy/30-11 "Deuteronomy 30:11 - The Accessibility of the Law") as "not too hard for you, neither is it far off." The "sea" here functions as a metaphor for ultimate remoteness and impossibility of access through human means.
* **"that thou shouldest say,"**: This introduces a hypothetical scenario where the people might offer an excuse for not knowing or obeying God's will. Moses preempts any claim of ignorance or inability to discover the law, framing it as an imagined complaint from the people.
* **"Who shall go over the sea for us,"**: This is the first part of the rhetorical question. It highlights the perceived monumental effort and impossibility of such a journey. The question implies that no one possesses the capability or means to undertake such a task, thereby justifying their potential failure to obtain the law.
* **"and bring it unto us,"**: This continues the rhetorical question, focusing on the outcome of the impossible journey—the retrieval of the law. The implication is that if the law were so distant, it would require a heroic, almost mythical effort to bring it back to the community.
* **"that we may hear it, and do it?"**: This final clause states the ultimate purpose of obtaining the law: for the people to understand and obey it. By placing this at the end of the rhetorical question, Moses underscores that the very goal of knowing God's will is rendered impossible if the law is inaccessible, thus reinforcing the graciousness of its actual proximity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 30:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Who shall go over the sea for us...?"). This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful point: the answer is self-evident—no one can. This device effectively dismisses the very premise of the law's inaccessibility. Closely related is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "beyond the sea." This exaggerated imagery of extreme distance emphasizes the absurdity of the idea that God's commandments are hidden in an unreachable realm. The sea, for an ancient audience, symbolized the ultimate barrier. Furthermore, there is an underlying **Antithesis** between the perceived difficulty and the actual ease of access. Moses sets up a false premise of the law's remoteness only to immediately refute it by the reality of its nearness, as affirmed in the subsequent verse. This contrast highlights God's grace in revealing His will clearly, making obedience a matter of choice rather than an impossible quest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 30:13, along with the surrounding verses, articulates a profound theological truth about the nature of God's revelation: His will is not obscure or unattainable but is clearly communicated and readily accessible to His people. This concept counters any notion that spiritual knowledge is reserved for an elite few or requires extraordinary human effort to acquire. Instead, it posits that God desires a direct relationship with His people, one founded on a clear understanding of His expectations. This accessibility underscores God's character as a communicator who seeks to be known and obeyed, removing any legitimate excuse for ignorance. The passage emphasizes that the problem is never with the clarity or proximity of God's word, but with the human heart's willingness to "hear it, and do it." This principle lays the groundwork for understanding how God continues to reveal Himself throughout salvation history, culminating in the ultimate revelation of His Son.

* [Romans 10:6-8](/romans/10-6 "The Righteousness of Faith")
* [Isaiah 45:19](/isaiah/45-19 "God Does Not Speak in Secret")
* [1 John 5:3](/1_john/5-3 "God's Commandments Are Not Burdensome")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 30:13 offers profound encouragement and a weighty challenge for believers today. In an age saturated with information, where spiritual truths can often seem complex or esoteric, this verse reminds us that God's fundamental will for humanity is not hidden in some inaccessible realm. Just as the Law was "nigh" to ancient Israel, so too is God's revealed truth in Christ accessible to us. We are not called to embark on impossible quests for enlightenment or to climb spiritual mountains to find God's will. Rather, the Word of God, both written and incarnate, has been brought near to us. Our responsibility lies not in seeking what is distant, but in embracing what has been clearly revealed, internalizing it ("in thy mouth, and in thy heart" - [Deuteronomy 30:14](/deuteronomy/30-14 "Deuteronomy 30:14 - The Word is Near")), and actively living it out. This verse calls us to a life of responsive obedience, recognizing that the clarity of God's revelation removes any excuse for inaction or ignorance. It is a powerful reminder that the path to life and blessing is clearly marked and within reach for all who are willing to hear and do.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like the Israelites, sometimes imagine God's will to be more difficult or distant than it truly is?**
* **How does the accessibility of God's Word (the Bible, the Gospel) increase our responsibility to "hear it, and do it"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that God's word is truly "nigh" to me, in my mouth and in my heart, rather than a distant concept?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God's will is always easy to understand or follow?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 30:13 emphasizes the *accessibility* and *proximity* of God's commandments, it does not necessarily imply that understanding or following them will always be *easy* in a simplistic sense. The verse refutes the idea that the law is geographically or intellectually remote, requiring an impossible journey to discover. It means God has clearly revealed His will, making it knowable. However, applying God's will in complex life situations, battling sin, or enduring hardship can certainly be challenging. The ease refers to the *availability* of the revelation, not the *simplicity* of obedience in a fallen world. The challenge lies in the human heart's willingness to submit, not in the obscurity of God's word. As [1 John 5:3](/1_john/5-3 "1 John 5:3 - God's Commandments Are Not Burdensome") states, God's commandments are not burdensome, implying that while they require effort, they are not oppressive or impossible for those who love Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 30:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "word" that was "not beyond the sea" for Israel becomes the living "Word" who "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")). What Moses declared as accessible in the Law, Paul powerfully reinterprets in [Romans 10:6-8](/romans/10-6 "Romans 10:6-8 - The Righteousness of Faith") as the righteousness that comes by faith. Paul directly quotes Deuteronomy 30:11-14, applying Moses' words about the accessibility of the Law to the even greater accessibility of salvation through faith in Christ. He argues that we do not need to ascend to heaven to bring Christ down, nor descend into the abyss to bring Him up from the dead, because "the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" ([Romans 10:8](/romans/10-8 "Romans 10:8 - The Word of Faith")). This "word" is the message of faith in Jesus, who has already accomplished all that was necessary for salvation. Thus, the ultimate "doing" of the law, which Israel struggled with, is fulfilled in Christ's perfect obedience ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), and the power to "hear and do" is graciously provided by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to walk in newness of life ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - Law Fulfilled in Christ")). The once-distant God, whose will was revealed, has now drawn supremely near in the person of Jesus, making reconciliation and obedience possible for all who believe.

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

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Acts 10:22

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Acts 8:27

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Acts 8:40

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Proverbs 16:6

¶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.

Matthew 12:42

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here.