New King James Version
Deuteronomy 32:47
47For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.”
Deuteronomy 32:47 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
- New International Version (NIV)They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."
- New Living Translation (NLT)These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”
Context of Deuteronomy 32:47
45Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.” 48Then the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: 49“Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession;
Read all of Deuteronomy 32Deuteronomy 32:47 word by word
כִּ֠י לֹֽא־דָבָ֨ר רֵ֥ק הוּא֙ מִכֶּ֔ם כִּי־ה֖וּא חַיֵּיכֶ֑ם וּבַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה תַּאֲרִ֤יכוּ יָמִים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתֶּ֜ם עֹבְרִ֧ים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- not a vainרֵיקrêyq rêq · worthlessH7386
- thingדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
- your lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
- ye shall prolongאָרַךְ'ârak · to prolongH748
- daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- in the landאֲדָמָה'ădâmâh · land: soilH127
- whither ye go overעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
- Jordanיַרְדֵּןyardên · JordanH3383
- to possessיָרַשׁyârash yârêsh · to possess: takeH3423
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 32:47
- Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
- Leviticus 18:5You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
- Proverbs 3:1My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
- Proverbs 4:22For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
- Isaiah 45:19I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
- Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”
- 1 Timothy 4:8For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
- 1 Timothy 6:6Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
- 1 Peter 3:10For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
- 2 Peter 1:3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
- Revelation 22:14Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 32:47
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 47Through this thing ye shall prolong your days - Instead of being cut off, as God here threatens, ye shall be preserved and rendered prosperous in the land which, when they passed over Jordan, they should possess.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 44-52Verses 44-52 These verses were, no doubt, added by the author of the supplement to Deuteronomy. For the statements contained in them, consult the marginal references.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 44-47Verses 44-47 Here is the solemn delivery of this song to Israel, with a charge to mind all the good words Moses had said unto them. It is not a trifle, but a matter of life and death: mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and you are for ever undone. Oh that men were fully persuaded that religion is their life, even the life of their souls!Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 47they are your life: Obeying the Lord’s words brings life (see 8:3; 30:20). you will live long: This promise does not guarantee each person will live for a long time or become immortal. It refers to Israel’s extended stay in the promised land.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44-4744-47. Moses ... spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.Read the comment
Topics related to Deuteronomy 32:47
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries