Deuteronomy 12:32

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 12:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deuteronomy 12:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it, etc.] In the manner it is commanded and directed to; the laws of God, both as to matter and manner, were to be obeyed just as they were delivered: thou shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it; neither add any customs and rites of the Heathens to them, nor neglect anything enjoined on them, (see <203006> Proverbs 30:6 <662218>Revelation 22:18,19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou shalt not: Deu 4:2, Deu 13:18; Jos 1:7; Pro 30:6; Mat 28:20; Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19 Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 13”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The admonition to observe the whole law, without adding to it or taking from it (cf. Deu 4:2), is regarded by many commentators as the conclusion of the previous chapter. But it is more correct to understand it as an intermediate link, closing what goes before, and introductory to what follows. Strictly speaking, the warning against inclining to the idolatry of the Canaanites ( Deu 12:29-31) forms a transition from the enforcement of the true mode of worshipping Jehovah to the laws relating to tempters to idolatry and worshippers of idols (ch. 13). The Israelites were to cut off not only the tempters to idolatry, but those who had been led astray to idolatry also. Three different cases are…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification