John Gill Commentary Deuteronomy 4:6

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:6

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:6

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." — Deuteronomy 4:6 (ASV)

Keep therefore and do them
. Observe them, take notice of what is expressed by them, and perform them, both as to matter and manner, as they require:

for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
nations ;
that is, their wisdom and understanding would appear to other nations by their observance of the commands of God:

which hear all these statutes ;
which they had a report, got knowledge of by some of the philosophers who travelled into those parts, and by the translation of the Bible into the Greek language:

and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people ;
that had such a body of laws, in which they were instructed, and according to which they were governed, and in which they walked; that were so agreeable to reason, truth, justice, and equity; insomuch that so far as they became known they were admired and copied after, both by Greeks and Romans; and hence it was that the oracle F6 declared, that only the Chaldeans and Hebrews were a wise people; the Hebrews came from Chaldea, as Abraham the father of them.


FOOTNOTES:

  • F6: Apud Porphyr. in Euseb Evangel. Praepar. l. 9. c. 10. p. 413.