Deuteronomy 4:2

World English Bible (2000)

You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לֹ֣א תֹסִ֗פוּ עַל־הַדָּבָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָנֹכִי֙ מְצַוֶּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תִגְרְע֖וּ מִמֶּ֑נּוּ לִשְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶֽם

Transliteration

Not tōsipû upon-the-dābār which ʾānōkî mᵉṣawweh ʾetkhem, and-not tigrᵉʿû from-it; to-lishmōr ʾet-miṣwōt YHWH your-ʾĕlōhêkem which ʾānōkî mᵉṣawweh ʾetkhem

Grammar Details

• *lōʾ*: negative particle - not
• *tōsipû*: verb, hiphil imperfect, second person masculine plural - you shall add
• *ʿal*: preposition - upon/to
• *dābār*: noun, masculine singular - word/thing/matter
• *ʾānōkî*: pronoun, first person singular - I
• *mᵉṣawweh*: participle, piel, masculine singular - commanding
• *ʾetkhem*: direct object marker with second person masculine plural suffix - you
• *tigrᵉʿû*: verb, qal imperfect, second person masculine plural - you shall diminish/subtract
• *mimmenû*: preposition with third person masculine singular suffix - from it
• *lishmōr*: preposition with infinitive construct, qal - to keep/observe
• *miṣwōt*: noun, feminine plural construct - commandments of
• *YHWH*: proper noun - the divine name
• *ʾĕlōhêkem*: noun, masculine plural with second person masculine plural suffix - your God

Word Meanings

• *tōsipû*: you shall add/increase/supplement
• *dābār*: word/thing/matter/command
• *mᵉṣawweh*: commanding/ordering/instructing
• *tigrᵉʿû*: you shall diminish/subtract/reduce/take away
• *lishmōr*: to keep/observe/guard/preserve
• *miṣwōt*: commandments/precepts/orders

Referenced Verses

• Deut 12:32 : 32 Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
• Prov 30:6 : 6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
• Josh 1:7 : 7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don't turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
• Rev 22:18-19 : 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
• Gal 3:15 : 15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
• Eccl 12:13 : 13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
• Matt 5:18 : 18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
• Matt 5:43 : 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.'
• Matt 15:2-9 : 2 "Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5 But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," 6 he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
• Mark 7:1-9 : 1 Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don't eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 They don't eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" 6 He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 8 "For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things." 9 He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.' 11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;"' 12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."