Deuteronomy 32:47
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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.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In this chapter we have, I. The song which Moses, by the appointment of God, delivered to the children of Israel, for a standing admonition to them, to take heed of forsaking God. This takes up most of the chapter, in which we have, 1. The preface (Deu 32:1, Deu 32:2). 2. A high character of God, and, in opposition to that, a bad character of the people of Israel (Deu 32:3-6). 3. A rehearsal of the great things God had done for them, and in opposition to that an account of their ill carriage towards him (Deu 32:7-18). 4. A prediction of the wasting destroying judgments which God would bring upon them for their sins, in which God is here justified by the many aggravations of their impieties (Deu 32:19-33). 5. A promise of the destruction of their enemies and oppressors at last, and the glorious deliverance of a remnant of Israel (Deu 32:36-43). II. The exhortation with which Moses delivered this song to them (Deu 32:41-47). III. The orders God gives to Moses to go up to Mount Nebo and die (Deu 32:48, etc.).
Open source ↗32:47 they are your life: Obeying the Lord’s words brings life (see 8:3; 30:20). • long life: This promise does not guarantee individual longevity and certainly not immortality; it is about Israel’s long tenure in the Land of Promise.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
For 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.
They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
His 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.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
I 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.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
For 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.
Blessed 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.