Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. New Living Translation “Today I call on heaven and earth as witnesses against you. If you break my covenant, you will quickly disappear from the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. You will live there only a short time; then you will be utterly destroyed. English Standard Version I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. Berean Standard Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed. Berean Literal Bible I call to witness against you⁺ this day the heavens and the earth that you⁺ will surely perish quickly from the land to which you⁺ are passing over the Jordan to possess. You⁺ will not prolong your⁺ days in it, but you⁺ will be utterly destroyed. King James Bible I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. New King James Version I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. New American Standard Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that you will certainly perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to take possession of it. You will not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. NASB 1995 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. NASB 1977 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you shall surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but shall be utterly destroyed. Legacy Standard Bible I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not prolong your days on it, but will be utterly destroyed. Amplified Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. Berean Annotated Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you⁺ this day that you⁺ will quickly perish from the land that you⁺ are crossing the Jordan (flowing down) to possess. You⁺ will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed. Christian Standard Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will quickly perish from the land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not live long there, but you will certainly be destroyed. Holman Christian Standard Bible I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will quickly perish from the land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not live long there, but you will certainly be destroyed. American Standard Version I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. English Revised Version I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. GOD'S WORD® Translation you will quickly disappear from the land you're going to possess on the other side of the Jordan River. You won't live very long there. You'll be completely wiped out. Good News Translation I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that, if you disobey me, you will soon disappear from the land. You will not live very long in the land across the Jordan that you are about to occupy. You will be completely destroyed. International Standard Version Heaven and earth will testify against what has occurred today: you'll surely and swiftly be destroyed from the land that you are about to possess by crossing the Jordan River. You won't live long in it, because you'll certainly be exterminated. NET Bible I invoke heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will surely and swiftly be removed from the very land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not last long there because you will surely be annihilated. New Heart English Bible I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto you go over the Jordan to possess it; you shall not prolong your days on it, but shall utterly be destroyed. Webster's Bible Translation I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from the land to which ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall be utterly destroyed. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed. World English Bible I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from off the land which you go over the Jordan to possess it. You will not prolong your days on it, but will utterly be destroyed. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have caused the heavens and the earth to testify against you this day, that you perish utterly quickly from off the land to where you are passing over the Jordan to possess it; you do not prolong days on it, but are utterly destroyed; Berean Literal Bible I call to witness against you⁺ this day the heavens and the earth that you⁺ will surely perish quickly from the land to which you⁺ are passing over the Jordan to possess. You⁺ will not prolong your⁺ days in it, but you⁺ will be utterly destroyed. Young's Literal Translation I have caused to testify against you this day the heavens and the earth, that ye do perish utterly hastily from off the land whither ye are passing over the Jordan to possess it; ye do not prolong days upon it, but are utterly destroyed; Smith's Literal Translation I took the heavens and the earth to witness against you this day, that perishing, ye shall perish to-morrow from the land which ye are passing over Jordan there to possess it: ye shall not prolong the days upon it, but being destroyed, ye shall be destroyed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI call this day heaven and earth to witness, that you shall quickly perish out of the land, which, when you have passed over the Jordan, you shall possess. You shall not dwell therein long, but the Lord will destroy you, Catholic Public Domain Version I call heaven and earth as witnesses this day, that you shall quickly perish from the land, which, when you have crossed over the Jordan, you will possess. You will not live in it for a long time; instead, the Lord will destroy you. New American Bible I call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that you shall all quickly perish from the land which you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You shall not live in it for any length of time but shall be utterly wiped out. New Revised Standard Version I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to occupy; you will not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish from off the land which you are going across the Jordan to possess; you shall not live long upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have called Heaven and Earth to witness before you today that certainly you shall be destroyed quickly from the land that you cross the Jordan to inherit, and you shall not multiply days in it but surely you shall be destroyed. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. Brenton Septuagint Translation I call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that ye shall surely perish from off the land, into which ye go across Jordan to inherit it there; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall be utterly cut off. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Warning Against Idolatry…25After you have children and grandchildren and you have been in the land a long time, if you then act corruptly and make an idol of any form—doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God and provoking Him to anger— 26I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.… Cross References I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. that you will quickly perish from the land Joshua 23:16 If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.” Deuteronomy 11:17 or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you. that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. Joshua 1:11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’” Deuteronomy 11:31 For you are about to cross the Jordan to enter and possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you. When you take possession of it and settle in it, You will not live long upon it, Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. but will be utterly destroyed. Deuteronomy 28:63 Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and multiply, so also it will please Him to annihilate you and destroy you. And you will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. Joshua 23:15 But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you. Deuteronomy 30:18-19 I declare to you today that you will surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. / I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, Deuteronomy 8:19-20 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. / Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God. Leviticus 26:33-39 But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste. / Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths all the days it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. / As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it. … 2 Kings 17:6-23 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. / All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. … 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, … Jeremiah 25:8-11 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words, / behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. … Treasury of Scripture I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto you go over Jordan to possess it; you shall not prolong your days on it, but shall utterly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 30:18,19 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it… Deuteronomy 31:28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. Deuteronomy 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. ye shall Deuteronomy 29:28 And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day. Leviticus 18:28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. Leviticus 26:31-35 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours… Jump to Previous Destroyed Earth Heaven Jordan Perish Possess Prolong Quickly Soon Surely Today Utterly Whereunto WitnessJump to Next Destroyed Earth Heaven Jordan Perish Possess Prolong Quickly Soon Surely Today Utterly Whereunto WitnessDeuteronomy 4 1. An exhortation to obedience41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan 44. Recapitulation I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day In ancient Near Eastern cultures, calling upon witnesses was a common legal practice to confirm the seriousness of a covenant or declaration. Here, Moses invokes heaven and earth as witnesses, emphasizing the gravity and universality of the covenant between God and Israel. This phrase underscores the idea that all of creation is aware of and testifies to the covenant, highlighting the accountability of the Israelites. Similar language is found in Isaiah 1:2, where God calls upon heaven and earth to witness Israel's rebellion. that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess You will not live long upon it but will be utterly destroyed Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering this message as part of his farewell speeches. He is reminding the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God who are about to enter the Promised Land. They are the recipients of Moses' warnings and instructions. 3. Heaven and Earth Invoked as witnesses to the covenant between God and Israel. This is a common ancient Near Eastern practice to call upon creation as witnesses to an agreement. 4. The Promised Land (Canaan) The land that the Israelites are about to enter, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. 5. The Jordan River The geographical boundary that the Israelites are about to cross to enter the Promised Land. Teaching Points The Seriousness of CovenantThe invocation of heaven and earth as witnesses underscores the gravity of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is a solemn reminder that our commitments to God are not to be taken lightly. Consequences of Disobedience The warning of perishing from the land serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God’s commands leads to serious consequences. This principle remains relevant for believers today in maintaining faithfulness to God’s Word. The Role of Witnesses In ancient times, witnesses were crucial in legal matters. By calling heaven and earth as witnesses, Moses emphasizes the impartial and enduring nature of God’s covenant, which transcends human generations. The Importance of Obedience Obedience to God is not just about following rules but is integral to living in the blessings and promises of God. It is a call to align our lives with God’s will. The Call to Remember Moses’ warning serves as a call to remember God’s past faithfulness and the importance of adhering to His commands. This remembrance is vital for spiritual growth and perseverance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 4:26?2. How does Deuteronomy 4:26 warn us about consequences of disobedience to God? 3. What does "utterly perish" reveal about God's judgment in Deuteronomy 4:26? 4. How can we apply the warning in Deuteronomy 4:26 to our daily lives? 5. How does Deuteronomy 4:26 connect to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament? 6. What steps can we take to remain faithful and avoid judgment like in Deuteronomy 4:26? 7. What does Deuteronomy 4:26 reveal about God's judgment on Israel's disobedience? 8. How does Deuteronomy 4:26 align with archaeological evidence of Israel's history? 9. Why does Deuteronomy 4:26 emphasize the heavens and earth as witnesses? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 4? 11. How many levels of heaven are there? 12. What are the Names and Titles of God? 13. In Isaiah 1:2, how can the heavens and earth literally “listen” and “hear,” and does this poetic device conflict with a literal reading? 14. Where do you find comfort in times of trouble? What Does Deuteronomy 4:26 Mean I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day• Moses summons “heaven and earth” (Deuteronomy 4:26) because they are permanent, all-seeing, and beyond human manipulation. Their presence underscores the absolute truthfulness and seriousness of God’s covenant warning (see Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:2). • In Scripture, creation itself testifies for or against human conduct (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20). By invoking the cosmos, Moses anchors the coming judgment in something more enduring than any human court. • This witness motif reminds Israel—and us—that every act of obedience or rebellion takes place before God’s all-knowing gaze (Psalm 33:13-15). Nothing is hidden; therefore, the people cannot plead ignorance or claim injustice when discipline comes (Job 16:19-21). that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess • The warning is not theoretical. Israel is on the verge of entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Joshua 1:2). The promised land is a gift, yet keeping it depends on covenant faithfulness. • “Quickly perish” points to the speed with which judgment can fall once the nation chooses idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:25; 9:3-5). History confirms this: the Northern Kingdom fell within a few generations after Solomon (2 Kings 17:6-18). • God’s covenant contains both blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28). Blessing brings security and fruitfulness (28:1-14); curse brings defeat and exile (28:15-68). Possession of the land is conditional, not automatic. • Crossing the Jordan was an act of faith (Joshua 3–4), and remaining in the land would require ongoing faith—daily allegiance to the Lord who brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 13:3). You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed • Long life in the land was the positive promise attached to obedience (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:33). Therefore, the phrase “you will not live long” highlights that sin reverses covenant blessings. • “Utterly destroyed” (Deuteronomy 4:26) forecasts the ultimate sanction: exile and scattering among the nations (Leviticus 26:33-39; Deuteronomy 28:64). This was fulfilled in 722 BC (Assyrian captivity) and 586 BC (Babylonian captivity). • The severity serves a redemptive purpose. When judgment comes, the remnant is meant to seek the Lord afresh (Deuteronomy 4:29-31; Hosea 6:1-3). Even destruction is tempered by God’s desire to restore. • The verse underscores God’s justice and faithfulness: He keeps His word both in blessing and in discipline (Joshua 23:15-16; Psalm 145:17). The land promise is secure, yet individual generations must align with God to enjoy it. summary Deuteronomy 4:26 is Moses’ solemn warning that the unchanging heavens and earth stand as divine witnesses: if Israel abandons the Lord, they will swiftly lose the land they are about to inherit and face complete devastation. The verse teaches that covenant privileges carry covenant responsibilities, that God’s judgment is as certain as His promises, and that lasting enjoyment of God’s gifts depends on steadfast obedience to Him. Verse 26. - I call heaven and earth to witness. Moses speaks in the name of the Lord of all, and so calls to witness the whole created universe to attest his words; the heavens and earth are witnesses for God, and when evil comes on those who transgress his Law, they declare his righteousness (Psalm 50:4, 6), in that what has befallen the sinner is only what was announced beforehand as the penalty of transgression. Soon; hastily (מַהֵר), without delay (cf. Deuteronomy 7:4, 22 ["at once," Authorized Vers.]; 9:3 ["quickly"], 12, 16). Prolong days; usually equal to have a long life (cf. Deuteronomy 5:16; Deuteronomy 6:2; Deuteronomy 11:9; Deuteronomy 17:20, etc.); here it means "continue long to occupy." Only as they continued faithful to Jehovah could they continue as a people to possess the land; severed from him, they lost their title to occupy Canaan, and ceased to be his special people; as a nation they would be destroyed by being scattered among other nations. From Leviticus 26:33, etc., and Deuteronomy 28:64, it is evident that the author had in view "all the dispersions which would come upon the rebellious nation in future times, even down to the dispersion under the Romans, which continues still; so that Moses contemplated the punishment in its fullest extent" (Keil).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I call heavenהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky and earth הָאָ֗רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land as witnesses הַעִידֹתִי֩ (ha·‘î·ḏō·ṯî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore against you this day הַיּ֜וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you will quickly מַהֵר֒ (ma·hêr) Adverb Strong's 4118: Hastening, speedy, swift perish אָבֹ֣ד (’ā·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish from מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land you אַתֶּ֜ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are crossing עֹבְרִ֧ים (‘ō·ḇə·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine to possess. לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ (lə·riš·tāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin You will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no live long תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן (ṯa·’ă·rî·ḵun) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 748: To be, long upon it, עָלֶ֔יהָ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against but כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction will be utterly destroyed. הִשָּׁמֵ֖ד (hiš·šā·mêḏ) Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed Links Deuteronomy 4:26 NIVDeuteronomy 4:26 NLT Deuteronomy 4:26 ESV Deuteronomy 4:26 NASB Deuteronomy 4:26 KJV Deuteronomy 4:26 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 4:26 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 4:26 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 4:26 French Bible Deuteronomy 4:26 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:26 I call heaven and earth to witness (Deut. 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