Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Don't add anything to the words I'm commanding you, and don't take anything away from them, so that you can obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I'm giving you.
Moses is telling the Israelites not to change God's commands in any way - don't add to them or subtract from them, but follow them exactly as given.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering his final speeches to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the desert. This verse serves as a stern warning to preserve the integrity of God's commands exactly as they were given at Mount Sinai, emphasizing that altering them could lead to disobedience and break the covenant. This instruction was essential in a culture where oral and written traditions formed the foundation of their national and spiritual identity.
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