Deuteronomy 30:19

Translations

Modern

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,

Traditional

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Literal

I call as witnesses against you today the heavens and the earth that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, that you may live—you and your seed,

Latin

Testes invoco hodie cælum et terram, quod proposuerim vobis vitam et mortem, benedictionem et maledictionem. Elige ergo vitam, ut et tu vivas, et semen tuum:

Original

Hebrew

English

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,

Notes

Deuteronomy 30:19

life and death, blessing and cursing: This pairing of words shows a close connection. Life is connected to blessing, and death is connected to curse.

In this passage, blessing does not only bring life. Blessing is life itself. It is life in the land, safety, and God’s favor.

In the same way, curse does not only bring death. Curse is death itself. It is loss of the land, suffering, and separation from God’s favor.

Deuteronomy 30:11–20

Obeying the covenant commands that Moses gave would lead to life. Disobeying them would lead to death.

Here, life and death refer to physical life in the land. This applied both to individual people and to the whole community of Israel.

Deuteronomy 29:2–30:20

As Moses prepared to die, he spoke a farewell message to Israel. In this message, he briefly reviewed their history since they left Egypt.

He urged the nation to promise loyalty to the Lord. This part of Deuteronomy shows that grace (God’s undeserved favor) is not only a New Testament teaching. Grace is the foundation of the Lord’s relationship with Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Biblical Law Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility God’s Covenants Retribution The Broken Covenant The Choice of Life or Death

Related verses

Deuteronomy 30:15
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster.
Deuteronomy 11:26
See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse—
Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
Joshua 24:15–22
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Proverbs 8:36
But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
Deuteronomy 30:1
“When all these things come upon you—the blessings and curses I have set before you—and you call them to mind in all the nations to which the LORD your God has banished you,
Luke 10:42
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jeremiah 32:39
I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
1 Timothy 5:21
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
Deuteronomy 4:26
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed.
Deuteronomy 31:28
Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
Psalm 119:173
May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Assumption of Moses Curse, Cursed Death Deuteronomy, Book of Life

Topics

Blessing: Contingent Upon Obedience Choice: The Sinner's Christian Minister: Faithful: Moses Contingencies in Divine Government of Man Decision: General Scriptures Concerning Duty of Man to God Free Will God: Providence of Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Wicked (People): Punishment of

Deuteronomy 30:19

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Translations

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