Deuteronomy 30:2

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

And shalt return {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and shalt obey {H8085} his voice {H6963} according to all that I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117}, thou and thy children {H1121}, with all thine heart {H3824}, and with all thy soul {H5315};

and you will return to ADONAI your God and pay attention to what he has said, which will be exactly what I am ordering you to do today - you and your children, with all your heart and all your being.

and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today,

and shalt return unto Jehovah thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul;

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:2 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:2 is a pivotal verse within Moses' final discourse to the Israelites, delivered just before they entered the Promised Land. It outlines the conditions for their future restoration after a period of disobedience and exile, a pattern that would sadly be fulfilled in Israel's history.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic passage (Deuteronomy 30:1-10) that follows the extensive list of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28-29). Moses foresees a time when Israel, having been scattered among the nations due to their unfaithfulness, would then be gathered and restored by the LORD. Verse 2 specifies the crucial prerequisite for this divine intervention: genuine repentance and wholehearted obedience.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Return: The core command is to "return unto the LORD thy God." This isn't merely a physical turning, but a profound spiritual turning back to God from a state of wandering. It signifies a change of heart and direction.
  • Obedience to God's Voice: The act of returning is inextricably linked with obeying "his voice according to all that I command thee this day." This highlights the importance of heeding God's revealed will, as given through Moses' instruction, which represents the terms of the covenant.
  • Wholehearted Devotion: The phrase "with all thine heart, and with all thy soul" emphasizes the required sincerity and totality of this commitment. It's not a superficial or ritualistic obedience, but one that springs from the innermost being, encompassing intellect, will, and emotion. This echoes the greatest commandment found earlier in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:5) and later affirmed by Jesus (Matthew 22:37).
  • Generational Responsibility: The inclusion of "thou and thy children" underscores the lasting nature of the covenant and the imperative for faith and obedience to be passed down through generations. The spiritual well-being of the community depends on the faithfulness of each family unit.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "return" is shuv (Χ©Χ•Χ‘), which frequently carries the theological meaning of "repent" or "turn back" to God, signifying a change of mind and action. "Obey his voice" comes from the Hebrew shama (שמג), which means not just to hear, but to listen attentively and act upon what is heard. The phrase "with all thine heart, and with all thy soul" uses lev (ΧœΧ‘ - heart, representing the inner person, intellect, will) and nephesh (Χ Χ€Χ© - soul, representing the life force, desires, and the whole being). Together, they denote a complete and undivided devotion to God.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 30:2 offers timeless principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful call to:

  • Personal Repentance: Regularly examine our lives and turn back to God when we stray, acknowledging that true restoration begins with a sincere heart.
  • Intentional Obedience: Actively listen to and follow God's commands as revealed in His Word, understanding that obedience is an expression of love (John 14:15).
  • Wholehearted Devotion: Cultivate a faith that engages our entire being – our thoughts, emotions, and will – avoiding superficial religiosity.
  • Generational Faithfulness: Recognize our responsibility to model and teach faith to our children and future generations, ensuring the legacy of God's truth continues.

This verse ultimately points to the merciful character of God, who always provides a path for His people to return to Him when they seek Him with their whole heart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 2:12

    ΒΆ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

  • Joel 2:13

    And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

  • Nehemiah 1:9

    But [if] ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, [yet] will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

  • Deuteronomy 4:28

    And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

  • Deuteronomy 4:31

    (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

  • Lamentations 3:40

    Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 13:3

    Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
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