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Deuteronomy 30:15

Deuteronomy 30:15 in Multiple Translations

See, I have set before you today life and goodness, as well as death and disaster.

¶ See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

See, I have put before you today, life and good, and death and evil;

Listen! Today I've placed a choice before you: life and what's good, or death and what's evil.

Beholde, I haue set before thee this day life and good, death and euill,

'See, I have set before thee to-day life and good, and death and evil,

Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil.

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Consider that I have set before thee this day life and good, and on the other hand death and evil:

So listen! Today I am allowing you to choose between doing what is evil and doing what is good, between what will enable you to live for a long time and what will cause you to die while you are still young.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 30:15

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 30:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְ/פָנֶ֨י/ךָ֙ הַ/יּ֔וֹם אֶת הַֽ/חַיִּ֖ים וְ/אֶת הַ/טּ֑וֹב וְ/אֶת הַ/מָּ֖וֶת וְ/אֶת הָ/רָֽע
רְאֵ֨ה râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Impv-2ms
נָתַ֤תִּי nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-1cs
לְ/פָנֶ֨י/ךָ֙ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff
הַ/יּ֔וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הַֽ/חַיִּ֖ים chay H2416 alive Art | N-mp
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
הַ/טּ֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 pleasant Art | Adj
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
הַ/מָּ֖וֶת mâveth H4194 death Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
הָ/רָֽע raʻ H7451 bad Art | Adj
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 30:15

רְאֵ֨ה râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Impv-2ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
נָתַ֤תִּי nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ/פָנֶ֨י/ךָ֙ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הַ/יּ֔וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַֽ/חַיִּ֖ים chay H2416 "alive" Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/טּ֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 "pleasant" Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מָּ֖וֶת mâveth H4194 "death" Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/רָֽע raʻ H7451 "bad" Art | Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 30:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 11:26 See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse—
2 Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
3 1 John 5:11–12 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
4 Galatians 3:13–14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
5 Deuteronomy 32:47 For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
6 Deuteronomy 28:1–14 “Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock— the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand; the LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. The LORD will establish you as His holy people, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you. The LORD will make you prosper abundantly—in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land—in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward, if you hear and carefully follow the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am giving you today. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.
7 Deuteronomy 30:1 “When all these things come upon you—the blessings and curses I have set before you—and you call them to mind in all the nations to which the LORD your God has banished you,
8 Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
9 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.
10 Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.

Deuteronomy 30:15 Summary

Deuteronomy 30:15 tells us that God has given us a choice between two paths: one that leads to life and goodness, and another that leads to death and disaster. This choice is not just about our actions, but about the condition of our hearts and our relationship with God (as seen in Matthew 7:13-14). By choosing to follow God's ways and commandments, we can experience the blessings and goodness that He has in store for us, as promised in Psalm 16:11. This choice is not a one-time decision, but a daily commitment to seek and follow God's will for our lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to have life and goodness set before us?

According to Deuteronomy 30:15, having life and goodness set before us means that God has provided a path for us to follow that leads to blessings and a fulfilling relationship with Him, as seen in Psalm 16:11 and Matthew 7:13-14.

Is the choice between life and death really ours to make?

Yes, as Deuteronomy 30:15 indicates, the choice between life and death, or goodness and disaster, is presented to us by God, and we must make a decision, as also emphasized in Joshua 24:15 and Proverbs 3:1-2.

How can we know which path is the right one to choose?

The right path is the one that aligns with God's commandments and ways, as stated in Deuteronomy 30:16, and is guided by His Word, as seen in Psalm 119:105 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

What are the consequences of choosing death and disaster?

Choosing death and disaster, as warned in Deuteronomy 30:15, leads to separation from God and His blessings, resulting in spiritual death, as described in Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:15.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am currently choosing between life and death, or goodness and disaster?
  2. How can I apply the principles of Deuteronomy 30:15 to my daily decisions and actions?
  3. What role does faith and trust in God play in my choice between life and death, and how can I strengthen my faith?
  4. In what ways can I seek God's guidance and wisdom to ensure I am choosing the path that leads to life and goodness?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 30:15

See, I have set before thee this day,.... Moses here returns to press the Israelites to the present observance of the laws, statutes, and judgments of one sort and another, he had been delivering to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 30:15

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; See, I have set before thee this day life ... and death - i:e., the alternative of a good and happy, or a disobedient and miserable life.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15

Life and good, i.e. a good or a happy life; a figure called heniaduo: or, life, and all the blessings of life, as good is oft used, as 128:5 4:8 6:3.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15

Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;Ver. 15. See, I have set before thee.] Matters of great importance must be set on with greatest vehemency.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15

Verse 15. Life and good] Present and future blessings. Death and evil] Present and future miseries: termed, Deuteronomy 30:19, Life and death, blessing and cursing. And why were these set before them? 1. That they might comprehend their import. 2. That they might feel their importance. 3. That they might choose life, and the path of believing, loving obedience, that led to it. 4. That they and their posterity, thus choosing life and refusing evil, might be the favourites of God in time and eternity. Were there no such thing as free will in man, who could reconcile these sayings either with sincerity or common sense? God has made the human will free, and there is no power or influence either in heaven, earth, or hell, except the power of God, that can deprive it of its free volitions; of its power to will and nill, to choose and refuse, to act or not act or force it to sin against God. Hence man is accountable for his actions, because they are his; were he necessitated by fate, or sovereign constraint, they could not be his. Hence he is rewardable, hence he is punishable. God, in his creation, willed that the human creature should be free, and he formed his soul accordingly; and the Law and Gospel, the promise and precept, the denunciation of wo and the doctrine of eternal life, are all constructed on this ground; that is, they all necessarily suppose the freedom of the human will: nor could it be will if it were not free, because the principle of freedom or liberty is necessarily implied in the idea of volition. See on the fifth chapter and 29th verse. See Clarke on Deuteronomy 5:29

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 30:15

15–20. The Peroration to the Discourses 15. Cp. Jeremiah 21:8. set before thee this day] Deuteronomy 4:8. life and good, etc.] Cp. Deuteronomy 11:26 : blessing and curse. For death and evil cp. Deuteronomy 4:26, Deuteronomy 8:19, etc.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15

15-20. Choose life — In striking expressions Moses summarizes his teachings. Life is connected with their obedience, death with their disobedience.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 30:15

SermonDescription
Erlo Stegen What Is Your Choice? by Erlo Stegen In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Deuteronomy 30 verse 19, where God presents a choice between life and death, blessing and cursing. The preacher emphasizes the importance of
G. Campbell Morgan The Message of Deuteronomy by G. Campbell Morgan G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes in 'The Message of Deuteronomy' that God's love for humanity is the foundation of His governance, while man's love for God is the driving force behind
Harold Vaughan Obedience by Harold Vaughan In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his lack of obedience as a child. He emphasizes the importance of immediate obedience to God's commands. The speaker then
Lane Adams Disciples Are God's Economists by Lane Adams In this sermon, the speaker discusses the powerful leadership of Moses and the fear he instilled in the enemies of the Israelites. Despite being outnumbered, the Israelites were fe
John Nelson Darby Synopsis of the Books of the Bible - Deuteronomy by John Nelson Darby John Nelson Darby discusses the Book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing its moral warnings and the importance of Israel's obedience to God's commandments as they stand on the brink of Can
Chuck Smith Deuteronomy 11:27 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of making a conscious choice between the blessings and curses set before us by God. He explains that God desires to bless our lives, but His b
Walter Beuttler Commentary Notes - Deuteronomy by Walter Beuttler Walter Beuttler preaches on the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing its significance as 'The Second Law' given by Moses to the new generation of Israel before entering the promised la

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