Moses gave us the Lord’s instruction, the special possession of the people of Israel.
Parallel translations
- WEB Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
- KJV Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
- BSB the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.
- NKJV Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.
- NASB “Moses issued to us the Law, A possession for the assembly of Jacob.
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
The law Moses delivered is described as an inheritance, a treasured possession for God's people. God's word is a gift, not merely a burden.
Overview
Calling the law an "inheritance" frames it as a precious heritage belonging to the whole assembly of Jacob. This counters any view of God's commands as oppressive; rather they are a gift that marks Israel as God's covenant people. The believer likewise receives Scripture as a rich inheritance, fulfilled and deepened in Christ, who did not abolish but fulfilled the law (Matt. 5:17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ps 119:111I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
- John 1:17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
- John 7:19Didn’t Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?”
- Deut 9:26–29I prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, don’t destroy your people and your inheritance, that you have redeemed through your greatness, that you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
- Ps 119:72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 33:4 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.