TRV
Translation
King James Version
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
Complete Jewish Bible
I am announcing to you today that you will certainly perish; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Yarden to enter and possess.
Berean Standard Bible
I declare to you today that you will surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
American Standard Version
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish; ye shall not prolong your days in the land, whither thou passest over the Jordan to go in to possess it.
World English Bible Messianic
I denounce to you this day, that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I pronounce vnto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, ye shall not prolong your dayes in the lande, whither thou passest ouer Iorden to possesse it.
Young's Literal Translation
I have declared to you this day, that ye do certainly perish, ye do not prolong days on the ground which thou art passing over the Jordan to go in thither to possess it.
See also
In the KJVVerse 5,727 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Deuteronomy 30 verses 15–20
15 ¶ See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Moses here concludes with a very bright light, and a very strong fire, that, if possible, what he had been preaching of might find entrance into the understanding and affections of this unthinking people. What could be said more moving, and more likely to make deep and lasting impressions? The manner of his treating with them is so rational, so prudent, so affectionate, and every way so apt to gain the point, that it abundantly shows him to be in earnest, and leaves them inexcusable in their disobedience.
I. He states the case very fairly. He appeals to themselves concerning it whether he had not laid the matter as plainly as they could wish before them. 1. Every man covets to obtain life and good, and to escape death and evil, desires happiness and dreads misery. "Well," says he, "I have shown you the way to obtain all the happiness you can desire and to avoid all misery. Be obedient, and all shall be well, and nothing amiss." Our first parents ate the forbidden fruit, in hopes of getting thereby the knowledge of good and evil; but it was a miserable knowledge they got, of good by the loss of it, and of evil by the sense of it; yet such is the compassion of God towards man that, instead of giving him to his own delusion, he has favoured him by his word with such a knowledge of good and evil as will make him for ever happy if it be not his own fault. 2. Every man is moved and governed in his actions by hope and fear, hope of good and fear of evil, real of apparent. "Now," says Moses, "I have tried both ways; if you will be either drawn to obedience by the certain prospect of advantage by it, or driven to obedience by the no less certain prospect of ruin in case you be disobedient - if you will be wrought upon either way, you will be kept close to God and your duty; but, if you will not, you are utterly inexcusable." Let us, then, hear the conclusion of the whole matter. (1.) If they and theirs would love God and serve him, they should live and be happy, Deu 30:16. If they would love God, and evidence the sincerity of their love by keeping his commandments - if they would make conscience of keeping his commandments, and do it from a principle of love - then God would do them good, and they should be as happy as his love and blessing could make them. (2.) If they or theirs should at any time turn from God, desert his service, and worship other gods this would certainly be their ruin, Deu 30:17, Deu 30:18. Observe, It is not for every failure in the particulars of their duty that ruin is threatened, but for apostasy and idolatry: though every violation of the command deserved the curse, yet the nation would be destroyed by that only which is the violation of the marriage covenant. The purport of the New Testament is much the same; this, in like manner, sets before us life and death, good and evil; He that believes shall be saved; he that believes not shall be damned, Mar 16:16. And this faith includes love and obedience. To those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, honour, and immortality, God will give eternal life. But to those that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (and so, in effect, worship other gods and serve them), will be rendered the indignation and wrath of an immortal God, the consequence of which must needs be the tribulation and anguish of an immortal soul, Rom 2:7-9.
II. Having thus stated the case, he fairly puts them to their choice, with a direction to them to choose well. He appeals to heaven and earth concerning his fair and faithful dealing with them, Deu 30:19. They could not but own that whatever was the issue he had delivered his soul; therefore, that they might deliver theirs, he bids them choose life, that is, choose to do their duty, which would be their life. Note, 1. Those shall have life that choose it: those that choose the favour of God and communion with him for their felicity, and prosecute their choice as they ought, shall have what they choose. 2. Those that come short of life and happiness must thank themselves; they would have had it if they had chosen it when it was put to their choice: but they die because they will die; that is, because they do not like the life promised upon the terms proposed.
III. In the last verse, 1. He shows them, in short, what their duty is, to love God, and to love him as the Lord, a Being most amiable, and as their God, a God in covenant with them; and, as an evidence of this love, to obey his voice in every thing, and by a constancy in this love and obedience to cleave to him, and never to forsake him in affection or practice. 2. He shows them what reason there was for this duty, inconsideration, (1.) Of their dependence upon God: He is thy life, and the length of thy days. He gives life, preserves life, restores life, and prolongs it by his power though it is a frail life, and by his patience though it is a forfeited life: he sweetens life with his comforts, and is the sovereign Lord of life; in his hand our breath is. Therefore we are concerned to keep ourselves in his love; for it is good having him our friend, and bad having him our enemy. (2.) Of their obligation to him for the promise of Canaan made to their fathers and ratified with an oath. And, (3.) Of their expectations from him in performance of that promise: "Love God, and serve him, that thou mayest dwell in that land of promise which thou mayest be sure he can give, and uphold to thee who is thy life and the length of thy days." All these are arguments to us to continue in love and obedience to the God of our mercies.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–20. 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 30:18 delivers a profoundly solemn and unequivocal warning from Moses to the Israelites, standing on the threshold of the Promised Land. It declares with absolute certainty that persistent disobedience, particularly the turning away from Yahweh to serve other gods, will inevitably lead to their utter destruction and premature expulsion from the very land they are about to inherit. This verse underscores the conditional nature of their tenure in Canaan, emphasizing the severe and certain consequences of violating the sacred covenant established with God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 30:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent and weighty message. The prominent use of Legal Language is evident, with Moses functioning as a divine messenger or covenant witness, "denouncing" the consequences of infidelity. This formal declaration underscores the binding nature of the covenant and the certainty of divine judgment. The verse also utilizes Hyperbole in the phrase "surely perish," which, while indicating severe destruction, primarily emphasizes the catastrophic collapse of their national life and their expulsion from the land, rather than the absolute annihilation of every individual. This serves to impress upon the hearers the extreme consequences of their choices. There is a clear Antithesis presented in the broader context of Deuteronomy 30, between the "life and good" offered through obedience and the "death and evil" that results from disobedience, with verse 18 firmly articulating the latter. The Repetition of the theme of conditional land tenure and the dire consequences of idolatry throughout Deuteronomy builds a cumulative sense of warning, making this verse a concise and potent summary of the high stakes involved in their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the principle of divine justice and the profound seriousness of covenant fidelity. It teaches that God's promises, while rooted in His sovereign grace and faithfulness, often carry specific conditions for their full experience, particularly within the framework of a covenant relationship. The perishing and expulsion from the land are not arbitrary punishments but the natural, divinely ordained consequences of breaking faith with the One who delivered them from bondage and graciously gave them the land. This highlights the intrinsic link between obedience and blessing, and disobedience and curse—a fundamental theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It underscores that true life, security, and flourishing are found only in wholehearted, exclusive devotion to God. Conversely, turning to other "gods" (anything that displaces God as the ultimate authority and object of worship) inevitably leads to spiritual and existential ruin, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His holiness and the integrity of His covenant.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 30:18, though originally spoken to ancient Israel, carries timeless spiritual principles that resonate deeply with believers today. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that our choices, particularly those concerning our ultimate allegiance, have profound and lasting consequences. Just as Israel's physical possession and prosperity in the land were conditional on their faithfulness, our spiritual vitality and our experience of God's abundant blessings are intimately connected to our ongoing obedience and exclusive devotion to Him. In our contemporary context, "idolatry" may not involve bowing to physical statues, but it can manifest subtly as prioritizing wealth, comfort, personal ambition, self-gratification, or anything else above God. Such misplaced allegiance inevitably leads to spiritual decay, a loss of purpose, and a diminished experience of the abundant life Christ offers. This verse calls us to a radical, unwavering commitment to God, understanding that true flourishing and lasting joy come from walking faithfully in His ways. It is an invitation to continually choose life by choosing Him, embracing His commands not as burdensome rules but as divine pathways to genuine freedom, spiritual vibrancy, and an enduring relationship with our Creator.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean that God's promises are not trustworthy or that He is a harsh judge?
Answer: This verse does not imply that God's promises are untrustworthy; rather, it highlights the bifurcated nature of the covenant. God's promise to Abraham regarding the land was unconditional, ensuring Israel's existence and eventual inheritance. However, Israel's experience and continued enjoyment of the land were conditional upon their obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. God is not harsh but perfectly just and utterly faithful to His declared word. He clearly laid out the terms of the relationship, including both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as comprehensively detailed in Deuteronomy 28. This transparency demonstrates His righteousness and His profound desire for His people to choose wisely, emphasizing that He is a God who means what He says. His warnings are ultimately an expression of His deep love, designed to lead His people to life and flourishing, not destruction.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 30:18, with its stark warning of perishing and expulsion from the land due to disobedience and idolatry, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. While the Old Covenant's blessings and curses were largely temporal and tied to a physical land, Christ inaugurates a new covenant where the "land" becomes the spiritual inheritance of eternal life and communion with God, and the "perishing" is understood as spiritual death and eternal separation from God. The Old Covenant revealed humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's law and thus secure their inheritance, leading to the inevitable "perishing" that Moses warned about. However, Jesus Christ, the true Israelite and perfect Son, perfectly fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and bore the full curse of disobedience on the cross (Galatians 3:13). Through faith in Him, believers are brought into a new covenant relationship, securing an eternal inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" (1 Peter 1:4), not based on their own flawed performance but on Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice. The warning of "perishing" is thus transformed into the glorious promise of "eternal life" for all who believe in the Son (John 3:16). Where the Old Covenant warned of physical perishing for covenant breaking, the New Covenant offers spiritual life and an eternal dwelling through Christ's unwavering faithfulness and sacrificial love.