Deuteronomy 29:13
New International Version
to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

New Living Translation
By entering into the covenant today, he will establish you as his people and confirm that he is your God, just as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

English Standard Version
that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he promised you, and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Berean Standard Bible
and so that He may establish you today as His people, and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

King James Bible
That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

New King James Version
that He may establish you today as a people for Himself, and that He may be God to you, just as He has spoken to you, and just as He has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

New American Standard Bible
in order that He may establish you today as His people, and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

NASB 1995
in order that He may establish you today as His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

NASB 1977
in order that He may establish you today as His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Legacy Standard Bible
in order that He may establish you today as His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Amplified Bible
so that He may establish you today as His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Christian Standard Bible
and so that he may establish you today as his people and he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and so that He may establish you today as His people and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

American Standard Version
that he may establish thee this day unto himself for a people, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he spake unto thee, and as he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

English Revised Version
that he may establish thee this day unto himself for a people, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he spake unto thee, and as he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
With this promise the LORD will confirm today that you are his people and that he is your God. This is what he told you, and this is what he promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with an oath.

Good News Translation
so that the LORD may now confirm you as his people and be your God, as he promised you and your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

International Standard Version
so that he will elevate you to be a people for him. And he will be God to you, just as he promised you and swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Majority Standard Bible
and so that He may establish you today as His people, and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

NET Bible
Today he will affirm that you are his people and that he is your God, just as he promised you and as he swore by oath to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

New Heart English Bible
so that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may your God, as he spoke to you and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Webster's Bible Translation
That he may establish thee to-day for a people to himself, and that he may be to thee a God, as he hath said to thee, and as he hath sworn to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

World English Bible
that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he spoke to you and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
in order to establish you to Himself for a people today, and He Himself is your God, as He has spoken to you, and as He has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Young's Literal Translation
in order to establish thee to-day to Him for a people, and He Himself is thy God, as He hath spoken to thee, and as He hath sworn to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Smith's Literal Translation
In order to set thee this day to him for a people, and he shall be to thee for God as he spake to thee, and as he sware to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaak, and to Jacob.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That he may raise thee up a people to himself, and he may be thy God as he hath spoken to thee, and as he swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So shall he raise you up as a people to himself, and so shall he be your God, just as he has spoken to you, and just as he swore to your fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

New American Bible
so that he may establish you today as his people and he may be your God, as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

New Revised Standard Version
in order that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because he will establish you this day a people to himself, and he will be to you the God, as he has promised you, and as he has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because He shall establish you a people for himself today, and he shall be God to you, as He said to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham and to Isaac and to Yaquuv.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
that He may establish thee this day unto Himself for a people, and that He may be unto thee a God, as He spoke unto thee, and as He swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that he may appoint thee to himself for a people, and he shall be thy God, as he said to thee, and as he sware to thy fathers, Abraam, and Isaac, and Jacob.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant in Moab
12so that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD your God, which He is making with you today, and into His oath, 13and so that He may establish you today as His people, and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 14I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you,…

Cross References
Genesis 17:7
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Exodus 6:7
I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Ezekiel 36:28
Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.

2 Corinthians 6:16
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Leviticus 26:12
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Romans 9:4
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Jeremiah 32:38
They will be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 37:27
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Romans 11:26-27
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. / And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Acts 3:25
And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’

Isaiah 41:8-10
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— / I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. / Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.


Treasury of Scripture

That he may establish you to day for a people to himself, and that he may be to you a God, as he has said to you, and as he has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

establish

Deuteronomy 7:6
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:18,19
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; …

Deuteronomy 28:9
The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

he may be

Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 26:3,4
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; …

Genesis 38:13-15
And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep…

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Abraham Confirm Establish Isaac Jacob Oath Order Promised Sware Swore Sworn Today To-Day
Deuteronomy 29
1. Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen
10. All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18. The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29. Secret things belong unto God














and so that He may establish you today as His people,
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The establishment of Israel as God's people is a recurring theme throughout the Pentateuch, highlighting God's sovereign choice and grace. This covenant is not just a legal agreement but a relational bond, signifying Israel's identity and purpose. The term "establish" indicates a firm and enduring relationship, suggesting permanence and divine intention. This echoes the covenantal language found in Exodus 19:5-6, where God calls Israel a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

and He may be your God
This phrase underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant. God being their God implies not only worship and obedience from the Israelites but also God's protection, provision, and guidance. This relationship is central to the identity of Israel and is foundational to the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which calls for exclusive devotion to the LORD. The phrase also points to the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:7, where God promises to be the God of Abraham and his descendants.

as He promised you
This highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. The promises referred to are those made to the patriarchs, which are foundational to Israel's understanding of their relationship with God. This assurance of God's faithfulness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, providing hope and encouragement to the Israelites. It also serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature, as seen in Numbers 23:19, where God is described as one who does not lie or change His mind.

and as He swore to your fathers,
The mention of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—anchors the covenant in historical promises. God's oath to the patriarchs is a solemn commitment, underscoring the seriousness and reliability of His word. This oath is first seen in Genesis 12:1-3 with Abraham, reaffirmed to Isaac in Genesis 26:3-4, and to Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15. The swearing of an oath by God is significant, as it indicates an unbreakable promise, further emphasized in Hebrews 6:13-18, where God's oath is linked to His unchangeable purpose.

to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
This phrase connects the current generation of Israelites to their ancestral heritage, reinforcing their identity as heirs of the covenant. The patriarchs are central figures in Israel's history, representing the initial recipients of God's promises. The mention of these three patriarchs serves as a reminder of God's long-term plan and faithfulness across generations. It also points to the continuity of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, as highlighted in Matthew 1:1 and Galatians 3:16, where Christ is identified as the seed through whom the promises are realized.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people in the plains of Moab.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are about to enter the Promised Land.

3. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The patriarchs to whom God made His covenant promises, establishing a lineage through which He would bless the nations.

4. Plains of Moab
The location where Moses is addressing the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.

5. Covenant Renewal
The event where God reaffirms His covenant with the Israelites, emphasizing their identity as His people.
Teaching Points
Covenant Identity
Understand that being part of God's people is rooted in His promises and faithfulness, not our own merit.

Faithfulness of God
Reflect on God's unwavering commitment to His promises, as seen in His dealings with the patriarchs and the nation of Israel.

Continuity of God's Plan
Recognize the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in Christ.

Our Response to God's Covenant
Consider how we, as believers, are called to live in response to being part of God's covenant people, embracing our identity in Christ.

Intergenerational Faithfulness
Emphasize the importance of passing down the faith and God's promises to future generations, as seen in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.(13) That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself.--It must be carefully observed that this is the aspect of the covenant which makes Jehovah responsible for the fulfilment of the whole. "He takes all this trouble for the sake of establishing thee in His presence for a people" (Rashi). The people's part, as described in this verse, is only to accept the position. And thus the covenant of Deuteronomy 29 is brought into the closest similarity with that which is called the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8; the form of which is "I will" be to them a God, and "they shall" be to me a people. God undertakes for the people's part of the covenant as well as His own. In Deuteronomy the first half of the New Covenant appears here in Deuteronomy 29, "that He may be unto thee a God." The second part appears in Deuteronomy 30:6-8, "The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart . . . to love the Lord thy God."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and so that
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

He may establish
הָקִֽים־ (hā·qîm-)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

you
אֹתְךָ֩ (’ō·ṯə·ḵā)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

today
הַיּ֨וֹם ׀ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

as His people,
לְעָ֗ם (lə·‘ām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and He
וְה֤וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

may be
יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

your God
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים (lê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He promised
דִּבֶּר־ (dib·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

you
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and as
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤ר (wə·ḵa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He swore
נִשְׁבַּע֙ (niš·ba‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to your fathers,
לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ (la·’ă·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Abraham,
לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

Isaac,
לְיִצְחָ֖ק (lə·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

and Jacob.
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ū·lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 29:13 That he may establish you this day (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 29:12
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