Deuteronomy 5:29
New International Version
Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

New Living Translation
Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.

English Standard Version
Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!

Berean Standard Bible
If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.

King James Bible
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

New King James Version
Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

New American Standard Bible
If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever!

NASB 1995
‘Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!

NASB 1977
‘Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!

Legacy Standard Bible
Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments all the days, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!

Amplified Bible
Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear [and worship Me with awe-filled reverence and profound respect] and keep all My commandments always, so that it may go well with them and with their children forever!

Christian Standard Bible
If only they had such a heart to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that they and their children would prosper forever.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that they and their children will prosper forever.

American Standard Version
Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Contemporary English Version
I wish they would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.

English Revised Version
Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever.

Good News Translation
If only they would always feel this way! If only they would always honor me and obey all my commands, so that everything would go well with them and their descendants forever.

International Standard Version
If only they would commit to fear me and keep all my commands, then it will go well with them and their children forever.

Majority Standard Bible
If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.

NET Bible
If only it would really be their desire to fear me and obey all my commandments in the future, so that it may go well with them and their descendants forever.

New Heart English Bible
Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever.

Webster's Bible Translation
O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

World English Bible
Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O that their heart had been thus to them, to fear Me and to keep My commands [for] all the days, that it may be well with them and with their sons for all time!

Young's Literal Translation
O that their heart had been thus to them, to fear Me, and to keep My commands all the days, that it may be well with them, and with their sons -- to the age!

Smith's Literal Translation
Who will give, and were this heart in them, for them to fear me and to watch all my commands all the days, so that it shall be well to them and to their sons forever.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who shall give them to have such a mind, to fear me, and to keep all my commandments at all times, that it may be well with them and with their children for ever?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Who will grant to them to have such a mind, so that they may fear me, and may keep all my commandments at all times, so that it may be well with them and with their sons forever?

New American Bible
Would that they might always be of such a mind, to fear me and to keep all my commandments! Then they and their descendants would prosper forever.

New Revised Standard Version
If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O that there were such a heart in them, to worship, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children for ever!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But, oh that they would have this heart: to be in awe before me and to keep all of my commands all of their days, that it would be well for them and for their children to eternity.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Oh that they had such a heart as this alway, to fear Me, and keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O that there were such a heart in them, that they should fear me and keep my commands always, that it might be well with them and with their sons for ever.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Intercedes for the People
28And the LORD heard the words you spoke to me, and He said to me, “I have heard the words that these people have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. 29If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever. 30Go and tell them: ‘Return to your tents.’…

Cross References
Jeremiah 32:39
I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

Psalm 81:13-14
If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, / how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!

Isaiah 48:18
If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.

Ezekiel 11:19-20
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, / so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Proverbs 1:23
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

Psalm 119:36
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

1 Kings 8:58
May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.

2 Chronicles 30:12
Moreover, the power of God was on the people in Judah to give them one heart to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the LORD.

Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Romans 8:7
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Hebrews 10:16
“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.


Treasury of Scripture

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

O that there

Deuteronomy 32:29,30
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! …

Psalm 81:13-15
Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! …

Isaiah 48:18
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

keep all

Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

Psalm 106:3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Psalm 119:1-5
ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD…

that it might

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 4:40
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

Deuteronomy 6:3,18
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey…

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Deuteronomy 5
1. The covenant in Horeb
6. The ten commandments
23. At the people's request Moses receives the law from God














If only they had such a heart
This phrase reflects God's deep desire for His people to possess a heart inclined towards Him. The Hebrew word for "heart" is "לֵב" (lev), which encompasses not just emotions but the entire inner being, including mind and will. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was seen as the center of decision-making and moral character. God longs for His people to have a heart that is steadfast and committed to Him, indicating a relationship that is not merely external or ritualistic but deeply personal and transformative.

to fear Me
The "fear" of the Lord, from the Hebrew "יִרְאָה" (yirah), is not about terror but reverence and awe. It is a recognition of God's holiness, power, and authority. In the conservative Christian perspective, this fear is foundational to wisdom and obedience. It is a fear that draws believers closer to God, acknowledging His rightful place as Lord and King. Historically, this reverence was central to Israel's identity as God's chosen people, setting them apart from surrounding nations.

and keep all My commandments always
The call to "keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar) God's commandments implies diligent observance and guarding of His laws. This is not a temporary or selective obedience but a perpetual commitment. The commandments, or "מִצְוֹת" (mitzvot), are seen as divine instructions for living a life that reflects God's character and purposes. In the historical context of Deuteronomy, these commandments were given to guide Israel in their covenant relationship with God, ensuring their distinctiveness and blessing.

so that it might be well with them
This phrase underscores the covenantal promise of well-being and prosperity tied to obedience. The Hebrew word "יָטַב" (yatab) conveys a sense of goodness, welfare, and benefit. God's laws are not burdensome but are designed for the flourishing of His people. In a conservative Christian view, this reflects the principle that true blessing and fulfillment come from living in alignment with God's will.

and with their children forever
The inclusion of "their children" highlights the generational impact of faithfulness. The Hebrew concept of "דּוֹר" (dor), meaning generation, emphasizes the continuity of God's promises and the importance of passing down faith and obedience. This reflects the biblical principle that the choices of one generation affect the next. In the conservative Christian tradition, this underscores the responsibility of parents to teach and model godliness, ensuring that the legacy of faith endures.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If only
מִֽי־ (mî-)
Interjection
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

they had
וְהָיָה֩ (wə·hā·yāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

such
זֶ֜ה (zeh)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2088: This, that

a heart
לְבָבָ֨ם (lə·ḇā·ḇām)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

to fear
לְיִרְאָ֥ה (lə·yir·’āh)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

Me
אֹתִ֛י (’ō·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

and keep
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר (wə·liš·mōr)
Direct object marker
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

My commandments
מִצְוֺתַ֖י (miṣ·wō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment

always,
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

so that
לְמַ֨עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

it might be well
יִיטַ֥ב (yî·ṭaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

with them
לָהֶ֛ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

and their children
וְלִבְנֵיהֶ֖ם (wə·liḇ·nê·hem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

forever.
לְעֹלָֽם׃ (lə·‘ō·lām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that there were such a heart (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 5:28
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