OET interlinear DEU 4:9

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

רַ֡ק

only

Here Moses is using Only to emphasize his commands. Use a connector to introduce something important that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [Be sure that you]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְ⁠ךָ֩ וּ⁠שְׁמֹ֨ר נַפְשְׁ⁠ךָ֜ & תִּשְׁכַּ֨ח & עֵינֶ֗י⁠ךָ & מִ⁠לְּבָ֣בְ⁠ךָ֔ & חַיֶּ֑י⁠ךָ וְ⁠הוֹדַעְתָּ֥⁠ם לְ⁠בָנֶ֖י⁠ךָ & בָנֶֽי⁠ךָ

take_care to/for=yourself(m) and,guard self_of,your & forget & eyes_of,your_own & from,your_of,heart & your(pl)_life_of,of and,you,will_make_them_known to,your(pl)_of,children & your(pl)_children_of,of

Even though Moses is speaking to all the Israelites, you, your, and the command forms are singular in this verse and in verse 10. If the singular forms of these pronouns would not be natural in your language, you could use the plural forms in your translation.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְ⁠ךָ֩ וּ⁠שְׁמֹ֨ר נַפְשְׁ⁠ךָ֜ מְאֹ֗ד

take_care to/for=yourself(m) and,guard self_of,your very

The terms guard yourself and guard your soul strongly mean similar things. Moses is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [carefully guard all of yourself]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / hypo

פֶּן & וּ⁠פֶן

lest & and,lest

Moses uses the word lest to introduce a hypothetical condition as a warning. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a situation that could happen. Alternate translation: [in case … and in case]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הַ⁠דְּבָרִ֜ים

the,things

The implication is that the Israelites should not forget the things that Yahweh did for them, such as the miracles that Yahweh did to help the Israelites in the wilderness. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the miraculous things Yahweh did]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

עֵינֶ֗י⁠ךָ

eyes_of,your_own

Here, eyes represents all of a person in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you yourself]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יָס֨וּרוּ֙ מִ⁠לְּבָ֣בְ⁠ךָ֔

slip from,your_of,heart

Here Moses is speaking as if memories physically retreat from one's heart when one forgets something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you forget them]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּ֑י⁠ךָ

all days_of your(pl)_life_of,of

Moses is using the term days to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the entire duration of your life]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

לְ⁠בָנֶ֖י⁠ךָ וְ⁠לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י בָנֶֽי⁠ךָ

to,your(pl)_of,children and,to,the_children_of your(pl)_children_of,of

Here, sons means “children.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to your children and to the children of your children]

Note 10 topic: translate-kinship

וְ⁠לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י בָנֶֽי⁠ךָ

and,to,the_children_of your(pl)_children_of,of

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [and to your grandsons]