Deuteronomy 4:2

KJV

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye shall not add {H3254} unto the word {H1697} which I command {H6680} you, neither shall ye diminish {H1639} ought from it, that ye may keep {H8104} the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} which I command {H6680} you.

Complete Jewish Bible

In order to obey the mitzvot of ADONAI your God which I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying, and do not subtract from it.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

American Standard Version

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 4:2 presents a foundational and absolute command from Moses to the Israelites, strictly forbidding any alteration—whether by addition or subtraction—to the divine word revealed by God. This stringent injunction profoundly underscores the absolute authority, inherent completeness, and perfect sufficiency of God's revelation, establishing the immutable principle that human beings are neither permitted nor equipped to modify His sacred statutes and judgments. The overarching purpose of this unwavering adherence is to ensure that Israel faithfully observes and meticulously keeps the commandments of the LORD, thereby maintaining their unique covenant relationship and securing their sustained prosperity and well-being within the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 4:2 is strategically positioned at the very outset of Moses' second major address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab. This address immediately follows a powerful and urgent call to obedience in [Deuteronomy 4:1](/deuteronomy/4-1 "Deuteronomy 4:1 - Call to Obedience"), setting the stage for a profound re-establishment of the covenant. As this generation stands poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminds them of the foundational Law given at Mount Sinai, which their parents had received. The verse functions as a critical hermeneutical principle, establishing the framework for how all subsequent divine instructions are to be received, understood, and transmitted. It emphasizes the sacred, immutable, and non-negotiable nature of God's revealed will, serving as a gateway to the detailed exposition of God's unique relationship with Israel and the blessings contingent upon their faithful obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, directly facing the land of Canaan. Forty years have elapsed since the momentous Exodus from Egypt and the pivotal giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This new generation, having grown up in the wilderness, requires a fresh and deeply internalized understanding of the covenant stipulations and the unique identity God has graciously bestowed upon them. The surrounding Canaanite cultures were characterized by pervasive polytheism, rampant syncretism, and abhorrent practices, frequently involving the addition of new deities or rituals to their pantheon, or the diminishing of moral boundaries. In this volatile spiritual and cultural environment, the command in [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract") served as an indispensable safeguard. It was designed to preserve Israel's distinctiveness, prevent them from adopting pagan customs, and protect the purity of God's worship and moral code. Their faithful adherence to God's unadulterated word would be their "wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations," as highlighted in [Deuteronomy 4:6](/deuteronomy/4-6 "Deuteronomy 4:6 - Israel's Wisdom and Understanding").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching and interconnected themes prevalent throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it profoundly underscores the **Divine Authority and Completeness** of God's revelation; His word is inherently perfect, entirely sufficient, and therefore not subject to human improvement, revision, or supplementation. Secondly, it highlights the paramount theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Obedience**, positing that true fidelity to the covenant demands an accurate, uncompromised, and unadulterated understanding of God's commands. The integrity of the divine word is directly and inextricably linked to the integrity of Israel's obedience. Thirdly, it emphasizes the crucial theme of the **Preservation of Revelation**, a principle vital for the accurate and pure transmission of God's truth across successive generations. The command to neither add nor diminish ensures the purity of the divine standard, serving as a robust guard against both human innovation (which often elevates tradition above divine revelation, as later seen in prophetic critiques) and human negligence (which waters down, ignores, or dismisses inconvenient truths). This enduring principle resonates throughout the entirety of Scripture, from [Proverbs 30:5-6](/proverbs/30-5-6 "Proverbs 30:5-6 - God's Word is Pure") to the stark warnings in [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Revelation 22:18-19 - Warning Against Altering Prophecy"), demonstrating its timeless and universal significance for all who receive God's word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Add (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** This word (H3254) is a primitive root signifying "to increase," "to augment," or "to continue to do a thing." In the context of divine revelation, it carries the strong implication of introducing foreign elements, new stipulations, or human traditions and elevating them to the status of divine command. It warns against syncretism, human innovation in worship, the creation of extra-biblical rules that bind the conscience as if they were God's own, or presuming to "improve" upon God's perfect wisdom.
* **Diminish (Hebrew, _gâraʻ'_):** Meaning "to scrape off," "to remove," "to lessen," or "to withhold" (H1639), this term strictly prohibits the removal, neglect, or watering down of any part of God's revealed will. It warns against ignoring inconvenient truths, lowering God's moral standards, excusing oneself from divine requirements, or selectively applying only palatable portions of His word. Together with "add," it forms a comprehensive and absolute prohibition against any form of tampering with the sacred text and its inherent meaning.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to speak" (H1697), this term encompasses not only spoken words but also matters, things, affairs, commands, and decrees. In this context, "the word" refers to the totality of God's revealed instruction, including His statutes, judgments, and commandments given through Moses. It signifies the complete and authoritative body of divine revelation that defines Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh and guides their life and worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you":** This clause issues a categorical and absolute prohibition against human beings introducing new laws, doctrines, or practices that God has not commanded, and then presenting them as divine mandates. It serves as a crucial safeguard for the purity and sufficiency of God's revelation, preventing human traditions, philosophical innovations, or external cultural influences from corrupting or superseding the divine standard.
* **"neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it":** This parallel and equally emphatic clause forbids the removal, reduction, neglect, or selective application of any part of God's revealed word. It ensures that no commandment, statute, or judgment is ignored, diluted, deemed irrelevant, or dismissed as too difficult or inconvenient, thereby preserving the completeness, integrity, and full weight of God's will.
* **"that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you":** This final clause articulates the foundational and ultimate purpose behind the preceding double prohibition. The absolute preservation of God's word, free from any human alteration—whether by embellishment or omission—is presented as essential for true, faithful, and holistic obedience. To obey God fully and authentically, one must know precisely what He has commanded, enabling Israel to live in unwavering covenant fidelity and experience the promised blessings contingent upon such obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 4:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its critical message with maximum impact and clarity. **Merism** is prominently featured in the pairing of "add" and "diminish," which encompasses the entire spectrum of possible alterations to God's word. This rhetorical device emphasizes the absolute totality of the prohibition, leaving no room for any form of human modification or tampering. The use of the **imperative mood** ("Ye shall not add... neither shall ye diminish") highlights the non-negotiable, authoritative, and binding nature of the command, underscoring its divine origin and the extreme seriousness of any transgression. Furthermore, the verse functions as a pivotal **covenant stipulation**, deeply embedded within a broader legal and theological framework that meticulously defines Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh. Its strategic placement within Moses' address powerfully reinforces the conditional nature of their blessings and national well-being, directly linking their continued favor with God to their unwavering and meticulous adherence to the integrity of His revealed word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 4:2 establishes a foundational and enduring theological principle concerning the very nature of divine revelation: God's word is inherently perfect, utterly complete, and entirely sufficient, requiring no human improvement, supplementation, or reduction. This principle profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty over His truth and His unique prerogative to define reality, morality, and the terms of His covenant. It serves as an indispensable bulwark against both human pride, which might presume to enhance God's wisdom or add to His commands, and human rebellion, which might seek to lessen God's demands or ignore inconvenient truths. The integrity of the divine word is inextricably linked to the integrity of human obedience, the authenticity of worship, and the purity of doctrine. This command sets a profound precedent for how all subsequent revelation, including the entire biblical canon, is to be received, preserved, and transmitted, emphasizing its sacred and immutable character as the very voice of God.

* [Deuteronomy 12:32](/deuteronomy/12-32 "Deuteronomy 12:32 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Commands")
* [Proverbs 30:5-6](/proverbs/30-5-6 "Proverbs 30:5-6 - God's Word is Pure and Complete")
* [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Revelation 22:18-19 - Warning Against Altering Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 4:2 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless and urgent call to reverence, humility, and unwavering submission before the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It compels us to approach the Bible with profound respect, acknowledging its divine authority and inherent perfection, rather than imposing our own biases, cultural preferences, or subjective interpretations upon its sacred text. In an age characterized by rapidly shifting moral landscapes, diverse theological interpretations, and the pervasive influence of humanistic thought, this verse reminds us of the critical importance of diligently studying Scripture, seeking to understand its original intent through careful exegesis and sound hermeneutics. This diligent pursuit helps us avoid both the addition of human traditions that might unduly burden consciences or obscure the gospel, and the subtraction of inconvenient truths that might compromise God's holiness or dilute His moral demands. Our ultimate goal is not merely intellectual understanding, but faithful and transformative obedience to God's complete and sufficient revealed will, recognizing that the integrity of our lives and the authenticity of our faith are directly tied to the integrity with which we handle and apply His unadulterated Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we, in our contemporary context, risk "adding" to God's word, perhaps through unquestioned cultural trends, personal preferences, denominational traditions, or by elevating human interpretations to divine status?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might we "diminish" God's word, perhaps by ignoring inconvenient truths, watering down its ethical demands, selectively applying its principles, or dismissing portions as irrelevant for today?**
* **What practical and spiritual steps can we take to ensure our understanding and application of Scripture remain faithful to its original, divine intent, thereby fostering genuine submission to God's complete and sufficient revelation in all areas of our lives?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean we cannot interpret or apply Scripture, or that no new theological insights can emerge throughout church history?**

Answer: No, this verse does not forbid legitimate interpretation, thoughtful application, or the progressive development of theological understanding. Rather, it strictly prohibits *altering* the divine command itself—that is, adding new commands that God has not given or removing existing ones. Legitimate interpretation seeks to uncover the original meaning and intent of the biblical text within its historical and literary context, while sound application seeks to live out that meaning faithfully in contemporary contexts. New theological insights are the progressive understanding, deeper articulation, and systematic organization of truths *already contained* within Scripture, not the introduction of new revelations or the removal of old ones. The verse primarily safeguards the *integrity*, *sufficiency*, and *immutability* of God's revealed word, ensuring that human efforts to understand and obey it remain tethered to its unadulterated, divinely inspired form.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 4:2 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Living Word of God, eternally existing with God and being God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). Jesus perfectly exemplified the principle of not adding to or diminishing God's word. He emphatically declared that He came "not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them" ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), demonstrating His absolute reverence for the Old Testament Scriptures and His mission to bring their purposes to their intended consummation. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently appealed to the unassailable authority of "it is written" ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus Resists Temptation with Scripture")), upholding the integrity of God's revelation against the human traditions that "make void the word of God" ([Mark 7:13](/mark/7-13 "Mark 7:13 - Making God's Word Void by Tradition")). In Christ, the Law's demands are perfectly met through His sinless life and atoning sacrifice, and its righteous requirements are fulfilled in those who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). The New Covenant, established through His atoning sacrifice, does not diminish God's moral law but empowers believers to live out its true, Spirit-empowered intent. Thus, Jesus, as the complete and final revelation of God, through whom God has spoken definitively ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")), embodies the perfect Word, requiring no human addition or subtraction, and calling His followers to a life of loving obedience to His commands ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")).

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

Deuteronomy 12:32

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:6

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

Joshua 1:7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Matthew 5:18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Galatians 3:15

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.