Deuteronomy 5:29
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This verse isn't just a wish from God; it's a poignant expression of divine longing that highlights the crucial difference between outward compliance and a truly transformed inner life. God approves of their words, but expresses a deep desire for their hearts to be permanently changed, revealing that true obedience flows from a transformed inner disposition, not just spoken promises.
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!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites, having just heard God's voice directly from Mount Sinai and been terrified by His presence, have asked Moses to be their intermediary, fearing they will die if they hear God speak directly again. Moses relays their words to God, who acknowledges they spoke well, but immediately expresses a longing for their hearts to truly align with their spoken intentions of obedience, so that their future might be blessed.
God doesn't just want our outward actions; He longs for a genuine inner change. What does that truly mean?
In Deuteronomy 5:29, God expresses a profound desire: 'Oh that there were such a heart in them...' This isn't a question of if God can change hearts, but an expression of His longing for Israel's inner disposition to align with His will. The 'heart' here represents the core of their being—their desires, intentions, and affections.
Why does God want us to fear Him and keep His commands? It's not about control, but about our ultimate well-being.
Deuteronomy 5:29 links the desire for a changed heart directly to its intended outcome: 'that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!' This reveals God's ultimate purpose in our obedience.
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Understand the original words
lebab · Hebrew Noun
Biblically, the heart is the center of the human personality, encompassing the mind, the will, and the emotions. It is the seat of decision-making, moral character, and the inner life where true devotion to God is cultivated.
yare · Hebrew Verb
In a biblical context, fear of God is a reverent awe, profound respect, and trembling humility before His majesty and holiness. It is not paralyzing terror but a posture of submission and obedience that marks the beginning of wisdom.
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
These are the moral and ethical instructions given by God to His people. They are not intended as a burden but as a reflection of His character, designed to guide humanity in righteousness and relational holiness.
This passage echoes the longing for an internal disposition to follow God, promising a new covenant where God's law is written on the hearts of His people, directly addressing the desire for a willing heart expressed in Deuteronomy.
Ezekiel 36:26Similar to Jeremiah, this verse speaks of God giving a new heart and a new spirit, signifying His direct action in creating the internal desire and capacity to obey His statutes, which is the core of God's wish in Deuteronomy.
Matthew 22:37-40Jesus summarizes the Law by pointing to love for God and neighbor, highlighting that true obedience stems from the heart, which is the very 'heart' God desires for His people in Deuteronomy.
Luke 10:25-28The exchange between the lawyer and Jesus about the greatest commandment underscores that internal disposition (love for God with all one's heart) is the foundation for truly keeping the law, mirroring the plea in Deuteronomy for a heart that fears God and keeps His commands.
Hosea 6:3-6This passage critiques Israel's superficial devotion, contrasting it with the genuine, heartfelt commitment God desires, much like the longing expressed in Deuteronomy for a constancy of heart that fears God and keeps His commandments.
gillDeuteronomy 5:29: "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 were such an heart in them,.... Not that there is properly speaking such volitions and wishes in God; but, as Aben Ezra observes, the Scripture speaks after the language of the children of men; and may be considered as upbraiding them with want of such an heart, and with weakness to do what they…
clarkeDeuteronomy 5:29: "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 were such a heart in them - Or rather, מי יתן והיה לבבם זה mi yitten vehayah lebabam zeh, Who will give such a heart to them, that they may fear, etc. They refuse to receive such a heart from me; who then can supply it? If they had not been such perfectly free agents as could either use or abus…
This verse isn't just a wish from God; it's a poignant expression of divine longing that highlights the crucial difference between outward compliance and a truly transformed inner life. God approves of their words, but expresses a deep desire for their hearts to be permanently changed, revealing that true obedience flows from a transformed inner disposition, not just spoken promises.
The Israelites, having just heard God's voice directly from Mount Sinai and been terrified by His presence, have asked Moses to be their intermediary, fearing they will die if they hear God speak directly again. Moses relays their words to God, who acknowledges they spoke well, but immediately expresses a longing for their hearts to truly align with their spoken intentions of obedience, so that their future might be blessed.
The Israelites, having just heard God's voice directly from Mount Sinai and been terrified by His presence, have asked Moses to be their intermediary, fearing they will die if they hear God speak directly again. Moses relays their words to God, who acknowledges they spoke well, but immediately expresses a longing for their hearts to truly align with their spoken intentions of obedience, so that their future might be blessed.
"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!" — This verse isn't just a wish from God; it's a poignant expression of divine longing that highlights the crucial difference between outward compliance and a truly transformed inner life. God approves…
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Last reviewed October 2026
