Deuteronomy 30 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Moses assures the Israelites that Yahweh will forgive them even if he has sent them into exile and tells them they have a choice; obedience and life, or disobedience and death.

1. Assurance of pardon (1–10)
2. Assurance that Yahweh’s law is not too hard (11–14)
3. Reiteration of promises and threats (15–20)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Extended use of negative to make a positive point

From verses 11–13 Moses uses negative, extreme statements and questions that he does not expect an answer to in order to make a strong point to the opposite extreme which is stated in verse 14. If your language would not use these forms to create such an emphasis consider how your language would achieve the same result. (See figs-litotes, figs-hyperbole, and figs-rquestion)

Words for the law

• statutes
• ordinances
• commandments

Moses uses several words to refer to the law that Yahweh commanded the Israelites to obey. It is unclear what the differences are between these terms. If your language has different terms for the law, you could use them here to differentiate between the different Hebrew words. (See: translate-unknown)

“you” and “your”

The most significant challenge with “you” forms in this chapter is making it clear to your audience when Moses is speaking about the current generation of Israelites and when he is speaking about future Israelites. In both cases, he uses “you” because he is referring to the nation as one across time. For the most part, from verses 1–10, he uses “you” to mean the future, potential Israelites who will rebel against Yahweh, whom Yahweh will punish, and who repent and are restored to the land. This future generation is introduced in 29:22.

Throughout this chapter “you” is singular except for where noted in verses 18–19.

“voice”

Throughout this chapter, the Hebrew word “voice” frequently refers to what Yahweh has commanded.

“return to Yahweh”

In this chapter “return” is used frequently to refer to the future Israelites changing their minds, that is, repenting, and also to refer to resuming worshipping Yahweh instead of false gods.