Deuteronomy 10:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 10:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear.
Deuteronomy 10:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, etc.] Which includes the whole worship of him, external and internal: him shalt thou serve; heartily and sincerely, according to his revealed will, and him only: and to him shall thou cleave; and not turn aside to follow other gods, and worship them: and swear by his name; and his only, whenever it is necessary to take an oath, which should not be done rashly or on trivial accounts; and never by any creature, but by the living God; (see <050613>Deuteronomy 6:13).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To him shalt thou cleave - With firm confidence, true affection, and constant obedience. Deuteronomy 10:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fear: Deu 6:13, Deu 13:4; Mat 4:10; Luk 4:8 cleave: Deu 4:4, Deu 11:22, Deu 13:4; Jos 23:8; Act 11:23; Rom 12:9 swear: Deu 6:13; Psa 63:11; Isa 45:23 Deuteronomy 10:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“After laying down the fundamental condition of a proper relation towards God, Moses describes the fear of God, i.e., true reverence of God, in its threefold manifestation, in deed (serving God), in heart (cleaving to Him; cf. Deu 4:4), and with the mouth (swearing by His name; cf. Deu 6:13). Such reverence as this Israel owed to its God; for "He is thy praise, and He is thy God" ( Deu 10:21). He has given thee strong inducements to praise. By the great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen, He has manifested Himself as God to thee. "Terrible things" are those acts of divine omnipotence, which fill men with fear and trembling at the majesty of the Almighty (cf. Exo 15:11). אתּך עשׂה,…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification