Deuteronomy 4:31

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 4:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for Jehovah thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for Jehovah thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Deuteronomy 4:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31for Jehovah thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Unwilling, as it might seem, to close his discourse with words of terror, Moses makes a last appeal to them in these verses in a different strain. Deuteronomy 4:34 Temptations - Compare Deuteronomy 7:18-19; Deuteronomy 29:2-3; not, “i. e.” the tribulations and persecutions undergone by the Israelites, out the plagues miraculously inflicted on the Egyptians. Deuteronomy 4:37 He chose their seed after them - literally, “his seed after him.” Speaking of the love of God to their fathers in general, Moses has more especially in mind that one of them who was called “the Friend of God” James 2:23. Brought thee out in his sight - literally, “by His face:” “i. e.” by the might of His personal…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7; Num 14:18; Ch2 30:9; Neh 1:5, Neh 9:31; Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 116:5; Psa 145:8, Psa 145:9; Jon 4:2; Mic 7:18 forget: Lev 26:42, Lev 26:45; Psa 105:8, Psa 111:5, Psa 111:9; Jer 14:21; Luk 1:72 Deuteronomy 4:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification