Deuteronomy 4:2
New International Version
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

New Living Translation
Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

English Standard Version
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Berean Standard Bible
You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

King James Bible
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

New King James Version
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

New American Standard Bible
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I am commanding you.

NASB 1995
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

NASB 1977
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I am commanding you.

Amplified Bible
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I am commanding you.

Christian Standard Bible
You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you.

American Standard Version
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.

Contemporary English Version
and now he is your God. I am telling you everything he has commanded, so don't add anything or take anything away.

English Revised Version
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never add anything to what I command you, or take anything away from it. Then you will be able to obey the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

Good News Translation
Do not add anything to what I command you, and do not take anything away. Obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have given you.

International Standard Version
Do not add or subtract a thing to what I'm commanding you. Observe the commands of the LORD your God.

Majority Standard Bible
You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

NET Bible
Do not add a thing to what I command you nor subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am delivering to you.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

World English Bible
You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor diminish from it, to keep the commands of your God YHWH which I am commanding you.

Young's Literal Translation
Ye do not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor diminish from it, to keep the commands of Jehovah your God which I am commanding you.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, and ye shall not take away from it, to watch the commands of Jehovah your God which I am commanding you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it: keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not add to the word which I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it. Preserve the commandments of the Lord your God which I am teaching to you.

New American Bible
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.

New Revised Standard Version
You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the LORD your God with which I am charging you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not add to the commandment which I command you, neither shall you take from it, but you must keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not add to the commandment that I command you, and you shall not subtract from it, but keep the commandment of LORD JEHOVAH your God that I command to you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, and ye shall not take from it: keep the commandments of the Lord our God, all that I command you this day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An Exhortation to Obedience
1Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you. 3Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.…

Cross References
Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. / And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.

Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. / Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...

Joshua 1:7
Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:160
The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

Matthew 15:3-9
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? / For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ ...

Mark 7:7-13
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ / You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” / He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. ...

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

1 Corinthians 4:6
Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Hebrews 2:1-4
We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. / For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, / how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Proverbs 30:6
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

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Deuteronomy 4
1. An exhortation to obedience
41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan
44. Recapitulation














You shall not add
This phrase underscores the sanctity and completeness of God's Word. The Hebrew root for "add" is "yasaph," which means to increase or augment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, legal and covenantal texts were considered inviolable. This command reflects a divine mandate to preserve the purity and integrity of God's instructions. It serves as a warning against human pride and the temptation to modify divine revelation to suit personal or cultural preferences.

to the word
The term "word" in Hebrew is "dabar," which signifies a matter, thing, or command. In the biblical context, "dabar" often refers to God's spoken or written revelation. This highlights the authority and power of God's communication with His people. The "word" is not merely a collection of letters or sounds but a living and active force that shapes the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

that I am commanding you
The phrase emphasizes the personal and direct nature of God's communication. The Hebrew verb "tsavah" means to command or charge, indicating a binding obligation. This reflects the covenantal relationship where God, as the sovereign King, issues decrees to His people. The personal pronoun "I" underscores God's active role in delivering His commandments, reinforcing His authority and the expectation of obedience.

nor take away from it
The prohibition against subtraction is as crucial as the one against addition. The Hebrew root "gara" means to diminish or reduce. This command ensures that the full counsel of God is preserved and that no part of His revelation is neglected or dismissed. Historically, this reflects the importance of maintaining the integrity of legal and religious texts, which were seen as complete and perfect in their original form.

so that you may keep
The phrase "so that you may keep" introduces the purpose of the command. The Hebrew word "shamar" means to guard, observe, or give heed. It implies a vigilant and careful adherence to God's commandments. This reflects the biblical theme of obedience as a response to God's grace and a means of maintaining a right relationship with Him.

the commandments of the LORD your God
This phrase identifies the source and nature of the commandments. "Commandments" in Hebrew is "mitzvot," which refers to divine laws or decrees. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. "Your God" personalizes the relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique covenant with the Creator.

that I am giving you
The phrase concludes with the assurance of divine provision. The Hebrew verb "natan" means to give or bestow, indicating that the commandments are a gift from God. This reflects the biblical understanding that God's laws are not burdensome but are given for the well-being and flourishing of His people. The present tense "am giving" suggests an ongoing and dynamic relationship, where God continually provides guidance and direction.

(2) Ye shall not add unto the word.--The word, not "the words." The word is the substance of the Law. The words in which it is expressed may be more or less. The law of Moses contains in it the germ of all revelation to the very end.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

add
תֹסִ֗פוּ (ṯō·si·p̄ū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

or subtract
תִגְרְע֖וּ (ṯiḡ·rə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1639: To scrape off, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

from
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

what
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I
אָנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

command
מְצַוֶּ֣ה (mə·ṣaw·weh)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

you,
אֶתְכֶ֔ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

so that you may keep
לִשְׁמֹ֗ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the commandments
מִצְוֺת֙ (miṣ·wōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

of the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

I
אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am giving you.
מְצַוֶּ֥ה (mə·ṣaw·weh)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word (Deut. De Du)
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