Deuteronomy 10:20
You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse moves beyond mere outward obedience, highlighting "cleave" as a call for deep, unwavering affection and confident reliance on God, like a strong bond that can't be broken. This intense closeness is what ultimately allows us to swear by His name, because we know Him so intimately.
Just before this, Moses recapped all that God had done, from the Exodus to the miraculous provision in the wilderness, emphasizing that Israel’s entire existence was a testament to God's faithfulness. This verse then distills everything God requires into four core commands: fear, serve, cling to, and swear by His name alone. These aren't separate duties but facets of a single, all-encompassing devotion to the one true God, establishing the foundation for Israel’s life in the promised land.
What does it truly mean to 'fear' God? It's more than just being scared – it's about recognizing His supreme worth and His power in your life.
This verse kicks off with a powerful command: 'You shall fear the LORD your God.' This isn't about cowering in terror, but a deep, abiding reverence. It’s acknowledging His absolute sovereignty, His holiness, and His immense power – the same power that delivered Israel from Egypt and continues to sustain you. This fear is the foundation upon which all true worship and service are built. It’s the healthy awe that keeps everything in its proper perspective, placing God first in your heart and mind.
Faith isn't passive! Discover how serving God and 'cleaving' to Him are the practical outworkings of true reverence.
Following the command to fear God, Moses lays out two active responses: 'him shalt thou serve' and 'to him shalt thou cleave.' Serving God means dedicating your actions and your life to His purposes, following His will. It's about offering Him your best. But 'cleaving' takes it a step deeper. This Hebrew word suggests a strong, sticky attachment – like two things melded together. It speaks of unwavering loyalty, deep affection, and a constant, unbreakable connection. It's about being so intertwined with God that you can't imagine turning away, holding onto Him with firm confidence and wholehearted devotion.
Why is swearing by God's name so significant? It’s a powerful statement about His character and your commitment.
The final command, 'by his name you shall swear,' is more than just an instruction about oaths. It’s a testament to the sacredness of God’s name and the integrity it represents. When you swear by His name, you're invoking His authority and His truthfulness. This implies that your word, when tied to His name, should be as reliable and true as He is. It’s a call to live a life of such honesty and faithfulness that your promises reflect His own character. This isn't something to be taken lightly; it’s about honoring God in every commitment you make.
Understand the original words
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A profound, reverential awe of God that leads to obedience and worship. It is not mere terror, but the recognition of God’s majesty and holiness, resulting in a life lived in submission and devotion to Him.
'abad · Hebrew Verb
Formalized labor or worship rendered to God. It involves a life of exclusive devotion, adherence to His commands, and the active pursuit of His mission in the world.
dabaq · Hebrew Verb
To cling, stick, or stay close to something or someone. In a spiritual sense, it denotes a firm, enduring commitment and loyal relationship with God, characterized by trust, intimacy, and dependency.
shaba' · Hebrew Verb
This passage echoes Deuteronomy 10:20 directly, as Jesus quotes it to Satan, emphasizing that worship and service are due to God alone, highlighting the exclusivity of our devotion.
Joshua 22:5Similar to the command to 'cleave' in Deuteronomy, this verse instructs the Israelites to 'be very careful to observe the commandment and the law... to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,' showing the consistent theme of devoted loyalty to God.
Romans 12:9The call to 'cleave' to God in Deuteronomy finds a parallel in the New Testament's emphasis on genuine, selfless love, as seen in 'Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good,' urging a similar unwavering commitment.
Jeremiah 3:14This verse speaks to the concept of 'cleaving' to God, urging the people to 'Return, O faithless Israel, declares the LORD; I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, and I will not keep my anger forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity... return to me,' emphasizing the need for a resolute return and steadfast loyalty.
Psalm 91:14The promise that 'Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name,' illustrates the benefit and outcome of 'cleaving' to God, as described in Deuteronomy 10:20.
gillDeuteronomy 10:20: "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God,.... Which includes the whole worship of him, external and internal: him shalt thou serve; heartily and sincerely, according to his revealed will, and him only: and to him shall thou cleave; and not turn aside to follow other gods, and worship them: and swear by his name; and his only, whenever it is necessary to take an oath, which s…
pooleDeuteronomy 10:20: "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."
To him shalt thou cleave, with firm confidence, true affection, and constant attendance and obedience.
The verse moves beyond mere outward obedience, highlighting "cleave" as a call for deep, unwavering affection and confident reliance on God, like a strong bond that can't be broken. This intense closeness is what ultimately allows us to swear by His name, because we know Him so intimately.
Just before this, Moses recapped all that God had done, from the Exodus to the miraculous provision in the wilderness, emphasizing that Israel’s entire existence was a testament to God's faithfulness. This verse then distills everything God requires into four core commands: fear, serve, cling to, and swear by His name alone. These aren't separate duties but facets of a single, all-encompassing devotion to the one true God, establishing the foundation for Israel’s life in the promised land.
Just before this, Moses recapped all that God had done, from the Exodus to the miraculous provision in the wilderness, emphasizing that Israel’s entire existence was a testament to God's faithfulness. This verse then distills everything God requires into four core commands: fear, serve, cling to, and swear by His name alone. These aren't separate duties but facets of a single, all-encompassing devotion to the one true God, establishing the foundation for Israel’s life in the promised land.
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To call upon the name of God as a witness to the truth of a statement or a vow. It acts as an invocation of God’s authority, acknowledging His presence and character as the guarantor of one's integrity.
"You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear." — The verse moves beyond mere outward obedience, highlighting "cleave" as a call for deep, unwavering affection and confident reliance on God, like a strong bond that can't be broken. This intense clos…
