Deuteronomy 30:12
New International Version
It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”

New Living Translation
It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’

English Standard Version
It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’

Berean Standard Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’

King James Bible
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

New King James Version
It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’

New American Standard Bible
It is not in heaven, that you could say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’

NASB 1995
“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’

NASB 1977
“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’

Legacy Standard Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us and make us hear it, that we may do it?’

Amplified Bible
It is not [a secret hidden] in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’

Christian Standard Bible
It is not in heaven so that you have to ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is not in heaven so that you have to ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it?’

American Standard Version
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?

Contemporary English Version
His commands aren't in heaven, so you can't excuse yourselves by saying, "How can we obey the LORD's commands? They are in heaven, and no one can go up to get them, then bring them down and explain them to us."

English Revised Version
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It's not in heaven. You don't have to ask, "Who will go to heaven to get this command for us so that we can hear it and obey it?"

Good News Translation
It is not up in the sky. You do not have to ask, 'Who will go up and bring it down for us, so that we can hear it and obey it?'

International Standard Version
They aren't in the heavens, so you have to ask, 'Who'll go up to the heavens for us and get it for us so we can hear it and act on it?'

Majority Standard Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ?Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it??

NET Bible
It is not in heaven, as though one must say, "Who will go up to heaven to get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"

New Heart English Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up into heaven for us, and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, that we may obey it?"

Webster's Bible Translation
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, Who shall ascend for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?

World English Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
It is not in the heavens, saying, Who goes up into the heavens for us, and takes it for us, and causes us to hear it, that we may do it?

Young's Literal Translation
It is not in the heavens, -- saying, Who doth go up for us into the heavens, and doth take it for us, and doth cause us to hear it -- that we may do it.

Smith's Literal Translation
It is not in the heavens to say, Who shall go up for us to the heavens to take it to us and cause us to hear it and do it?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Nor is it in heaven, that thou shouldst say: Which of us can go up to heaven to bring it unto us, and we may hear and fulfil it in work?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Nor is it in heaven, so that you would be able to say, ‘Which of us can ascend to heaven, so as to carry it back to us, and so that we may hear it and fulfill it in deed?’

New American Bible
It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who will go up to the heavens to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may do it?”

New Revised Standard Version
It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
It is not in Heaven, so that you would say, 'Who will ascend for us to Heaven and will take it for us? And we will hear and we will do it'.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say: 'Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is not in heaven above, as if there were one saying, Who shall go up for us into heaven, and shall take it for us, and we will hear and do it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Choice of Life or Death
11For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ 13And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’…

Cross References
Romans 10:6-8
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) / or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” / But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Isaiah 45:19
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.

Isaiah 55:9-11
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. / For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ...

Jeremiah 23:23-24
“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” / “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Psalm 19:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...

Psalm 147:15
He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:62
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

Ephesians 4:9-10
What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.


Treasury of Scripture

It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Proverbs 30:4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Romans 10:6,7
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) …

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Deuteronomy 30
1. Great mercies promised unto the penitent
11. The commandment is manifest
15. Death and life are set before them














It is not in heaven
This phrase emphasizes the accessibility of God's commandments. In the Hebrew context, "heaven" (שָׁמַיִם, shamayim) often represents the dwelling place of God, a realm beyond human reach. The statement underscores that God's law is not distant or unattainable. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God has made His will known and accessible to His people. Theologically, it suggests that divine wisdom and guidance are not reserved for an elite few but are available to all who seek them.

that you should need to ask
This phrase implies that there is no need for intermediaries to access God's commandments. In the ancient Near Eastern context, divine knowledge was often seen as esoteric, requiring special revelation or mediation. However, this verse assures the Israelites that God's word is clear and present among them. This democratization of divine knowledge is a hallmark of the Mosaic covenant, where the law is given directly to the people.

Who will ascend into heaven
The imagery of ascending into heaven suggests an arduous and impossible task for humans. In biblical literature, ascending to heaven is often associated with divine beings or extraordinary figures (e.g., Elijah). This rhetorical question highlights the futility of seeking God's commandments in distant or inaccessible places when they have already been provided. It reassures believers that God's word is not hidden or reserved for a select few.

to get it for us and proclaim it
This phrase emphasizes the role of proclamation in understanding and obeying God's law. The Hebrew root for "proclaim" (נָגַד, nagad) involves making something known or declaring it openly. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses serves as the primary proclaimer of God's law, ensuring that it is communicated clearly to the people. This underscores the importance of teaching and preaching in the life of faith, where God's word is continually brought to the community.

that we may obey it
Obedience is the ultimate goal of receiving God's commandments. The Hebrew concept of obedience (שָׁמַע, shama) involves hearing, understanding, and acting upon God's word. This reflects the covenantal relationship where Israel's identity and blessing are tied to their adherence to God's law. In a broader theological sense, it speaks to the transformative power of God's word, which calls for a response of faith and action from believers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It
הִ֑וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

in heaven,
בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (ḇaš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

that you would need to ask,
לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

will ascend
יַעֲלֶה־ (ya·‘ă·leh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

into
לָּ֤נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

heaven
הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ (haš·šā·may·māh)
Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

to get it
וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ (wə·yiq·qā·ḥe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

for us
לָּ֔נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

and proclaim
וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ (wə·yaš·mi·‘ê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

it,
אֹתָ֖הּ (’ō·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

that we may obey it?”
וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃ (wə·na·‘ă·śen·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 30:12 It is not in heaven that you (Deut. De Du)
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