Deuteronomy 5:32

Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Ye shall observe {H8104} to do {H6213} therefore as the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} hath commanded {H6680} you: ye shall not turn aside {H5493} to the right hand {H3225} or to the left {H8040}.

"Therefore you are to be careful to do as ADONAI your God has ordered you; you are not to deviate either to the right or the left.

So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.

Ye shall observe to do therefore as Jehovah your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:32

Deuteronomy 5:32 serves as a pivotal summary and exhortation following Moses' recounting of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. This verse encapsulates the core message of the Mosaic covenant: precise and unwavering obedience to God's commands.

Context

The Book of Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," presents Moses' farewell speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Chapter 5 specifically reiterates the Ten Commandments given at Mount Horeb (Sinai), emphasizing their eternal relevance and the covenant relationship between God and His people. The generation that experienced the Exodus had passed away, and Moses was preparing the new generation for life in the land, where their success and prosperity would be directly tied to their faithfulness to God's statutes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unwavering Obedience: The primary message is an absolute call to obey God's commands exactly as given. The phrase "observe to do" (Hebrew: shamar la'asot) implies careful attention, guarding, and diligently carrying out what has been commanded.
  • Fidelity to Divine Instruction: Israel was not to deviate from the path God had set for them. This instruction is a direct warning against adding to or subtracting from God's law, a concept explicitly stated in other parts of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:2).
  • Avoiding Extremes: "Ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" is a common idiom signifying a straight, undeviating path. It warns against any form of spiritual or moral deviation, whether it be through self-righteousness (turning to the "right" by adding human traditions) or disobedience (turning to the "left" by neglecting God's commands). It's about maintaining integrity and walking in the narrow way God prescribes.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant. God had delivered Israel and made promises, and their part was faithful adherence to His law, which would lead to blessing and life in the land (Deuteronomy 28:1).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "observe" is shamar (ืฉึธืืžึทืจ), which means to guard, keep, preserve, or diligently attend to. It's not merely passive hearing but active, careful adherence. The phrase "turn aside" comes from the verb sur (ืกื•ึผืจ), meaning to depart, remove, or deviate. The idiom "to the right hand or to the left" (ื™ึธืžึดื™ืŸ ื•ึผืฉึฐื‚ืžึนืื•ืœ) is a vivid expression of not straying from the prescribed course, emphasizing a straight, unwavering walk in obedience.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 5:32 offers timeless wisdom. It calls us to:

  • Study and Obey God's Word: Just as Israel was to "observe to do," we are called to diligently study the Bible and apply its teachings to our lives, recognizing it as God's authoritative guide.
  • Walk in Integrity: The command not to turn "to the right hand or to the left" means living a life of spiritual integrity, not swayed by cultural trends, personal desires, or human philosophies that contradict God's truth. It's about following Christ's example of perfect obedience.
  • Trust God's Wisdom: This verse encourages us to trust that God's commands are for our ultimate good and blessing, even when they seem challenging or counter-cultural. A similar charge was given to Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel, promising success through adherence to the law.
  • Avoid Legalism and License: It warns against both legalism (adding burdens not found in Scripture) and license (minimizing or ignoring God's commands). True faith finds its path in humble, joyful obedience to what God has clearly revealed.

Ultimately, Deuteronomy 5:32 is a timeless reminder that true freedom and blessing are found in faithful, straightforward obedience to the Lord our God.

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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 4:27 (9 votes)

    Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

  • Joshua 23:6 (9 votes)

    Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom [to] the right hand or [to] the left;

  • Joshua 1:7 (8 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 17:20 (6 votes)

    That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 28:14 (5 votes)

    And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

  • Deuteronomy 11:32 (3 votes)

    And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day.

  • Deuteronomy 12:32 (3 votes)

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