Deuteronomy 12:32 Meaning and Explanation
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Keep all God's commands exactly; do not add to or subtract from them.
The Context of Deuteronomy 12:32
Final command: keep God's law exactly as given, without alteration.
What Does Deuteronomy 12:32 Mean?
The chapter concludes with absolute finality: observe everything God commands. No additions (inventing new rules or practices), no subtractions (skipping inconvenient laws). The law is complete and must be kept as received. This principle guards against the drift that occurs when individuals adjust God's word to suit their preferences.
The prohibition on adding or diminishing appears elsewhere in Scripture as a warning against both legalistic expansion and convenient reduction. Faithfulness means accepting the law whole, not editing it. This closing command frames the entire chapter as a complete, finished revelation requiring no human improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 12:32
What does Deuteronomy 12:32 mean?
Keep all God's commands exactly; do not add to or subtract from them.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 12:32?
Final command: keep God's law exactly as given, without alteration.