Read Deuteronomy 26 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew Paragraphs:
26:1-11 {s} Do not withhold the first fruits that are justly due
26:12-15 {s} Do not withhold the tithe of the 3rd year that is justly due
26:16-19 {p} Conclusion: Walk in the commandments for YHVH is your God; you are His people
The Deu 26:16-19 paragraph concludes a Strong Theme from Deu 26:1-19 {s+s+p}, with this Chiastic Structure:
Notice that at the end of Deu 26:19, there is a close quote. Verse 19 concludes the speech that has continued unbroken since Deu 5:1.
“This day YHVH your God commands you to do these statutes and judgments …” (Deu 26:16). Which statutes and judgments? The statutes and judgments Moses has been explaining since Deu 5:1 – the Ten Commandments (Deu 5); and the explanation of what it means to keep the Ten Commandments (Deu 6 through 26).
The last paragraph contains an interesting Comparison. The people have vowed that YHVH is their God (vs. 17), and YHVH has vowed the people to be His special people (“segullah,” vs. 18). They entered into a covenant with each other, and each side has promised something. The people have vowed that they would keep His commandments and walk in His ways. And YHVH has vowed that He would set them high above all the other nations, as the set-apart people to YHVH.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Conclusion to the Commandments, part one and part two – Christine Miller
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