You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you.
Parallel translations
- WEB You 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.
- KJV Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
- BSB You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.
- NKJV You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
- NLT Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.
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 not add to or take away from God's word but keep it as given. It guards the integrity and sufficiency of God's commands.
Overview
This solemn charge protects God's revelation from human alteration in either direction. It affirms that God's word is complete and authoritative as He gave it, a principle later echoed regarding all of Scripture. It calls God's people to submit to His word rather than reshape it to their preference.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Deut 12:32Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.
- Prov 30:6Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
- 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.
- Matt 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
- Gal 3:15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
- Eccl 12:13This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
- Mark 7:1–13Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.
- Matt 15:2–9“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
- Matt 5:43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
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 4:2 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.