Deuteronomy 27:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Because Israel is the LORD's people, they must obey His voice and keep His commandments and statutes.
The Context of Deuteronomy 27:10
Israel's covenant identity requires active obedience to all the LORD's commandments and statutes.
What Does Deuteronomy 27:10 Mean?
The word 'therefore' links obedience directly to covenant status. Being God's people is not a status that exempts Israel from obligation but rather the ground of obligation. 'Obey the voice' means active, attentive hearing and response—not passive acceptance but engaged submission to God's instruction.
The threefold list—'commandments and statutes' which 'I command'—emphasizes the totality and authority of what is binding Israel. These are not suggestions or options but requirements that define the community. The 'I' of God speaking through Moses anchors all instruction in God's direct will and intention for Israel's flourishing.
Deuteronomy 27:10 in the Original Language
statutes (חֻקִּים, chukim) — decrees or ordinances, laws that define the ordered life of the covenant community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 27:10
What does Deuteronomy 27:10 mean?
Because Israel is the LORD's people, they must obey His voice and keep His commandments and statutes.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 27:10?
Israel's covenant identity requires active obedience to all the LORD's commandments and statutes.