For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land, where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”
- 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.
- NKJV 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.”
- NASB For it is not a trivial matter for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
- 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.”
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
God's word is not an empty or trivial thing but Israel's very life and the means of prolonged days in the land. Obedience flows from valuing God's word as life-giving.
Overview
Moses insists the law is "no vain thing" but "your life," tying covenant obedience to flourishing in the promised land. Scripture elsewhere affirms that man lives by every word from God's mouth (Deut. 8:3), a truth Jesus quotes against temptation (Matt. 4:4). Ultimately the life God's word gives points to Christ, the living Word, in whom is life itself (John 1:4; John 6:68).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Lev 18:5Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
- Prov 4:22For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
- 2 Pet 1:16For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
- Prov 3:22They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
- 1 Pet 3:10–12For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
- Prov 3:18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
- Prov 3:1–2My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- Deut 30:19–20I 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,
- 2 Pet 1:3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
- Rom 10:5–6For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”
- Isa 45:19I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.
- Matt 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- 1 Tim 4:8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- Rev 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
- 1 Tim 6:6–8Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 32:47 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.