Read Deuteronomy 8 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew Paragraphs:
8:1-18 {p} Remember YHVH, obey Him, and live
8:19-20 {p} Forget YHVH, disobey Him, and die
Each of these paragraphs makes its own Chiastic Structure.
Deu 8:19-20 Chiastic Structure
Embedded within the larger structure, is the Deu 8:11-14 substructure:
The structure forces the B pair together, but here God is giving us an important clue. Why do people flaunt His commandments, or disdain to keep them? When they allow their heart to become lifted up.
Lifted up is Strong’s H7311, רום ruwm, a primitive root meaning, “to rise up, to be exalted.” The ancient Hebrew pictographs are resh + vav + mem.
resh ר = the head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
vav ו = the tent peg, thus add, secure, hook
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
The Hebrew Root Word parable is pre-eminence (resh) secured (vav) by might (mem), i.e., to be lifted up. To remember YHVH and keep His commandments, the heart must first remember its humble beginnings, and refuse the temptation of present blessings and prosperity, or any strength, of lull into a false sense of pride.
Leave a Reply