Deuteronomy 4 in the early church

155 passages quote, allude to, or echo Deuteronomy 4, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 32 · 34 · 35 · 39 · 41 · 42 · 43 · 45

Deuteronomy 4:1

Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:1Epistle of Barnabas 10.2 · Anonymousallusion, low confidenceca. 70–135 (often ca. 130)
Deut 4:1Tractates 16 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, medium confidenceca. 397-410

Deuteronomy 4:2

You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:2Didache 4.13 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 50–150 (often ca. 100)
Deut 4:2Epistle of Barnabas 19.11 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 70–135 (often ca. 130)
Deut 4:2Epistle of the Apostles 29 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 140-170
Deut 4:2Apostolic Church Order 14 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 300
Deut 4:2Apostolic Church Order 30 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 300
Deut 4:2Church History 5.16.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 300–325
Deut 4:2Oration 36.11 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 4:2Against Eunomius 2.8 · Basil of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 364
Deut 4:2Festal Letter 39 1 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidence367 (Easter letter)
Deut 4:2On Paradise 56 · Ambroseecho, medium confidenceca. 375-378
Deut 4:2Apostolic Constitutions 7.14.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 4:2Homilies on Matthew 51.1 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Deut 4:2Sermon 354.8 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 391-430
Deut 4:2Against Faustus the Manichaean 17.2 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 4:2Against Faustus the Manichaean 17.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 4:2Prayers 31–59b · Orientius of Auchecho, low confidence5th-6th century(?)
Deut 4:2Celestine, ACO I.2, letter 2.5 · Celestine I, bishop of Romeallusion, high confidence430-432

Deuteronomy 4:4

But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:4Oration IV Against the Arians 5 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidence4th century (disputed)

Deuteronomy 4:5

See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:5Epistle of Barnabas 10.2 · Anonymousallusion, low confidenceca. 70–135 (often ca. 130)

Deuteronomy 4:6

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:6Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.50.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Deuteronomy 4:7

For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:7Oration IV Against the Arians 5 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidence4th century (disputed)

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:9Miscellanies 2.15.71 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Deuteronomy 4:10

The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:10Catechetical Lecture 18.24 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Deut 4:10Liber Orsiesii 51 · Orsiesiusallusion, low confidenceca. 380-390

Deuteronomy 4:11

You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:11Refutation of All Heresies 5.20.2 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235
Deut 4:11Commentary on John 2.172 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:11Homilies 2.44 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 4:11Homilies 3.45 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)

Deuteronomy 4:12

And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:12Miscellanies 6.3.34 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 4:12Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 803 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Deuteronomy 4:14

At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:14Against Heresies 4.16.5 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190

Deuteronomy 4:15

So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:15Catechetical Lecture 6.7 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350

Deuteronomy 4:16

that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:16Homily on Luke 8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 4:16Against Celsus 4.31 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248

Deuteronomy 4:17

of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:17Homily on Luke 8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 4:17Against Celsus 4.31 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248

Deuteronomy 4:18

or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:18Against Celsus 4.31 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248

Deuteronomy 4:19

When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:19Dialogue with Trypho 55.1 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160
Deut 4:19Dialogue with Trypho 121.2 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160
Deut 4:19To Autolycus 2.35 · Theophilus of Antiochallusion, low confidenceca. 180–185
Deut 4:19Against Heresies 3.6.5 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Deut 4:19Miscellanies 6.14.110 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 4:19Commentary on John 2.25 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:19Commentary on John 2.26 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:19Commentary on John 2.27 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:19On Prayer 7.1 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 4:19Homilies on Numbers 27.12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 4:19Instructions 1.8 · Commodianallusion, high confidence3rd century (disputed)
Deut 4:19Against Celsus 4.31 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:19Against Celsus 5.6 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:19–20Against Celsus 5.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:19Commentary on Matthew 13.20 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Deut 4:19Symposium 8.15 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, medium confidencelate 3rd century
Deut 4:19Sang. 5 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Deut 4:19–20Preparation for the Gospel 1.9.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 4:19Preparation for the Gospel 13.18.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 4:19Preparation for the Gospel 13.18.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 4:19Demonstration of the Gospel 4.8.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 4:19Against the Heathen 45 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 318–325
Deut 4:19Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 87 · Titus of Bostraquotation, high confidenceca. 360s
Deut 4:19Question 1, section 8 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–384
Deut 4:19Apostolic Constitutions 5.12.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 4:19Theological Oration 2 (Or. 28), On the Doctrine of God 14 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidence380
Deut 4:19Liber Orsiesii 36 · Orsiesiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Deut 4:19Eleven Tractates 1.15 · Priscillianallusion, medium confidenceca. 380–385
Deut 4:19Eleven Tractates 6.106 · Priscillianquotation, medium confidenceca. 380–385
Deut 4:19Against Faustus the Manichaean 20.22 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 4:19Book 1, lines 238–263 · Seduliusecho, low confidenceca. 425-450
Deut 4:19Book 1, section 22 · Seduliusecho, low confidenceca. 425-450

Deuteronomy 4:20

Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:20On Prayer 13.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 4:20Oration 6.17 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 4:20Oration 45.20 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 4:20Apostolic Constitutions 7.36.3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 4:20Exposition of Psalm 118 20.11.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Deuteronomy 4:21

The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:21Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 803 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Deuteronomy 4:23

Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:23–24Against Adimantus, a Disciple of Mani 13 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 394

Deuteronomy 4:24

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:24To Autolycus 1.3 · Theophilus of Antiochecho, medium confidenceca. 180–185
Deut 4:24Against Heresies 4.20.8 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Deut 4:24Prophetic Extracts 26.1 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 200
Deut 4:24Miscellanies 5.14.100 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 4:24On First Principles 1.1.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Deut 4:24On First Principles 2.8.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Deut 4:24Fragments on Luke, column 363 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 4:24Refutation of All Heresies 6.9.3 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235
Deut 4:24Refutation of All Heresies 6.32.8 · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 222–235
Deut 4:24Refutation of All Heresies 8.9.7 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 222–235
Deut 4:24Refutation of All Heresies 10.16.5 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 222–235
Deut 4:24Commentary on John 13.124 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:24Commentary on John 13.138 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 4:24Homily on Luke 26 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 4:24Homilies on Ezekiel 1.3 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Deut 4:24Homilies on Leviticus 5.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 4:24Homilies on Jeremiah 2.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Deut 4:24Homilies on Jeremiah 16.6 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Deut 4:24Homilies on Jeremiah 18.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Deut 4:24On the Trinity 7 · Novatianallusion, high confidenceca. 240–250
Deut 4:24Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.129 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Deut 4:24Against Celsus 4.13 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:24Against Celsus 6.70 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:24Against Celsus 6.72 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 4:24Commentary on Matthew 17.19 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 246–248
Deut 4:24Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 4:24Preparation for the Gospel 13.13.24 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 4:24Catechetical Lecture 6.7 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Deut 4:24Catechetical Lecture 6.24 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Deut 4:24On the Trinity 12.47 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
Deut 4:24Tractates on the Psalms 118.8.9 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Deut 4:24Oration 41.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 4:24Against Eunomius 1.14 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 364
Deut 4:24Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.30.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Deut 4:24Theological Oration 2 (Or. 28), On the Doctrine of God 31 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidence380
Deut 4:24Theological Oration 4 (Or. 30), On the Son 18 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidence380
Deut 4:24On the Duties of the Clergy 3.18 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Deut 4:24Exposition of Psalm 118 13.2.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Deut 4:24Hexameron (Exameron) 4.10 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Deut 4:24On the Catholic Way of Life and the Manichaean Way of Life 1.30 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 387–389
Deut 4:24Letters 28.1 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Deut 4:24On the Faith against the Manichaeans 37 · Evodius of Uzalisquotation, high confidenceca. 400-424
Deut 4:24Confessions 5.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 397–401
Deut 4:24Apology against Rufinus 2.7 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 401–402
Deut 4:24Retractations 1.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence426-427
Deut 4:24Instructions 1.24 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 428-434
Deut 4:24Against Five Heresies 6 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

Deuteronomy 4:25

After 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—

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:25Instructions 1.2 · Commodianallusion, low confidence3rd century (disputed)

Deuteronomy 4:26

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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:26Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 293 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 4:26Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 803 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 4:26PG 12:1445 (Ps 49 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 4:26Tractates on the Psalms 118.1.7 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–367
Deut 4:26Oration 36.6 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 4:26On the Holy Spirit 13.30 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 374–375
Deut 4:26Deuteronomy, lines 27–52 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, medium confidenceearly 5th cent.
Deut 4:26The Conferences 21.5 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429

Deuteronomy 4:32

Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:32Oration II Against the Arians 45 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346

Deuteronomy 4:34

Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:341 Clement 29.3 · Clement of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Deut 4:341 Clement 60.3 · Clement of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Deut 4:346 Ezra 15.11 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence3rd century
Deut 4:34Homilies 16.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 4:34Apology of the Prophet David 43 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 384-390

Deuteronomy 4:35

You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:35Homilies 3.10 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)

Deuteronomy 4:39

Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:39On the Trinity 3 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Deut 4:39Homilies 16.7 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 4:39Recognitions 2.43 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 4:39Preparation for the Gospel 3.10.5 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 4:39Against Marcellus 2.2.34 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 336–337
Deut 4:39On Ecclesiastical Theology 2.19.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 337–339
Deut 4:39On Ecclesiastical Theology 2.19.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 337–339
Deut 4:39Apostolic Constitutions 7.35.8 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Deuteronomy 4:41

Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:41Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXI · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)

Deuteronomy 4:42

to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:42Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXI · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)

Deuteronomy 4:43

Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:43Homilies on Numbers 28.3 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 4:43Demonstration 11.9 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345

Deuteronomy 4:45

These are the testimonies, statutes, and ordinances that Moses proclaimed to them after they had come out of Egypt,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 4:45Homilies on Numbers 11.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 4:45Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 91–92 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence5th century (disputed)