“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take anything away from it.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.
- KJV What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
- BSB See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
- NKJV “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
- NLT “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel must do exactly what God commands, neither adding to it nor subtracting from it. God's word is the complete and authoritative standard for worship.
Overview
This concluding command guards the integrity of God's revelation, forbidding both addition and subtraction. Human supplements and omissions alike corrupt true worship and obedience. The principle echoes through Scripture to its final pages and underscores the sufficiency of God's word, fully and finally given in Christ and the apostolic witness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Deut 4:2You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you.
- Rev 22:18–19I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
- Josh 1:7Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
- Prov 30:6Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
- Deut 13:18when you listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to keep all his commandments which I command you today, to do that which is right in Yahweh your God’s eyes.
- Matt 28:20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 12:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.