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Deuteronomy 10:12

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¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

And now, Israel {H3478}, what doth the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} require {H7592} of thee, but to fear {H3372} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, to walk {H3212} in all his ways {H1870}, and to love {H157} him, and to serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} with all thy heart {H3824} and with all thy soul {H5315},

"So now, Isra'el, all that ADONAI your God asks from you is to fear ADONAI your God, follow all his ways, love him and serve ADONAI your God with all your heart and all your being;

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 10:12

Deuteronomy 10:12 is a pivotal verse within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they entered the Promised Land. This section of Deuteronomy (chapters 9-10) serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness despite Israel's rebellious history, particularly referencing the incident of the golden calf and God's subsequent renewal of the covenant, symbolized by the second set of stone tablets (Deuteronomy 10:1-5). Following a declaration of God's supreme power and impartiality (Deuteronomy 10:17-18), Moses poses this rhetorical question, summarizing God's fundamental expectations for His people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Expectation: The verse highlights that God's requirements are not arbitrary burdens but are foundational to a thriving relationship with Him. It's a call to a specific way of life that benefits Israel.
  • Fear of the LORD: The "fear of the LORD" (Hebrew: yirah) here signifies profound reverence, awe, and respectful obedience to God's authority and holiness, rather than terror. It implies recognizing His majesty and submitting to His will.
  • Walking in His Ways: This theme emphasizes living according to God's moral and ethical standards as revealed in His commands. It's about aligning one's daily life and conduct with God's character and instructions.
  • Love for God: To "love him" is not merely an emotion but a deep, covenantal affection and loyalty that expresses itself through faithful obedience and devotion. This active love is central to the covenant relationship.
  • Wholehearted Service: Serving the LORD "with all thy heart and with all thy soul" underscores a commitment of one's entire being—intellect, will, emotions, and life force. It's a call to complete and unreserved devotion, echoing the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse are rich with meaning:

  • "Fear" (yirah): As mentioned, this is more than dread; it encompasses a healthy respect and awe for God's power, justice, and holiness, leading to humble submission and obedience.
  • "Love" (ahavah): In a covenantal context, ahavah is not just an emotional feeling but a commitment that demands loyalty and results in action and obedience.
  • "Heart" (levav) and "Soul" (nephesh): These two terms together signify the totality of a person. Levav often refers to the inner being, the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, while nephesh refers to the life force, the very essence of one's being. Serving with both means a complete, undivided devotion.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 10:12 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It distills the essence of what God desires from His people, moving beyond mere ritual or external observance to a deep, internal commitment:

  • Holistic Devotion: God seeks our whole selves—our minds, emotions, will, and actions. True spirituality is not compartmentalized but permeates every aspect of life.
  • Foundation for Right Living: The principles of fearing, walking with, loving, and serving God wholeheartedly are the bedrock of biblical ethics and a fulfilling relationship with the Creator.
  • Continuity of God's Expectation: This Old Testament requirement finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament, where Jesus identifies loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength as the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38). It highlights that God's desire for a relationship built on love and obedience is timeless.
  • Simplicity of Requirement: Like the prophet Micah's summary of God's requirements (Micah 6:8), this verse shows that while God's laws are extensive, the core expectation is a simple yet profound call to a loving, obedient relationship.

Ultimately, Deuteronomy 10:12 reminds us that God's requirements are for our good, leading to life, blessing, and a deep, intimate connection with Him.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 6:5 (28 votes)

    And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

  • Micah 6:8 (27 votes)

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Luke 10:27 (20 votes)

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Deuteronomy 5:33 (20 votes)

    Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.

  • Deuteronomy 11:13 (15 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

  • Mark 12:29 (13 votes)

    And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

  • Mark 12:33 (13 votes)

    And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.