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.

(For the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} is a merciful {H7349} God {H410};) he will not forsake {H7503} thee, neither destroy {H7843} thee, nor forget {H7911} the covenant {H1285} of thy fathers {H1} which he sware {H7650} unto them.

for ADONAI your God is a merciful God. He will not fail you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them.

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.

for Jehovah thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:31 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 4:31 is a profound declaration of God's unchanging character and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, delivered by Moses as a foundational truth for the Israelites.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. He has been recounting God's faithfulness in their wilderness journey and reiterating the laws and statutes given at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Immediately preceding this verse, Moses warns the people about the dangers of idolatry and the severe consequences of disobedience, including being scattered among the nations (Deuteronomy 4:27). However, amidst these solemn warnings, Moses interjects this powerful promise of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness, offering a beacon of hope even in the face of potential future failures and discipline. It serves as a reminder that ultimately, their hope rests not on their perfect obedience, but on God's steadfast nature and His sworn commitments.

Key Themes

  • God's Merciful Nature: The verse opens by declaring, "For the LORD thy God is a merciful God." This highlights God's intrinsic character as one who is full of compassion and grace. His mercy is the bedrock of His dealings with humanity, particularly with His chosen people.
  • Divine Faithfulness and Presence: The promise "he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee" assures Israel of God's continuous presence and protection. Even when discipline is necessary due to sin, God's ultimate purpose is not to annihilate His people but to refine and restore them. This promise speaks to God's steadfast love that endures beyond human failings.
  • Unforgettable Covenant: The phrase "nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them" underscores the eternal validity of God's promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This covenant with the patriarchs was unconditional, based solely on God's oath, ensuring that His ultimate plan for Israel would not be thwarted by their disobedience. God's memory of His covenant is a guarantee of His future action.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "merciful" is rachum (רַחוּם), which is closely related to the word for "womb" (rechem). This connection evokes a deep, compassionate, and tender love, similar to a mother's affection for her child. It signifies a profound, gut-level compassion that moves God to act graciously. The term "covenant" (berith) signifies a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed with an oath, emphasizing the unbreakable nature of God's promises.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 4:31 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that God's character is unchanging; He is still a merciful God who does not abandon His people. Even when we stumble or face the consequences of our actions, we can find hope in His faithfulness. This verse encourages us to turn back to God, knowing that He is ready to receive us and uphold His promises. Just as He did not forget His covenant with Israel, He remains faithful to the new covenant established through Christ, promising to never leave us nor forsake us. Our ultimate security rests not on our perfect performance, but on the perfect and unchanging character of God.

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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

  • Psalms 116:5

    Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful.

  • Deuteronomy 31:8

    And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

  • Jonah 4:2

    And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

  • Nehemiah 9:31

    Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou [art] a gracious and merciful God.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:9

    For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him.

  • Exodus 34:6

    And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

  • Exodus 34:7

    Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
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