Introduction to Deuteronomy 12:1: Obedience and Covenant Geography
Deuteronomy 12:1 serves as a formal introduction to a new legal section in the book, transitioning from general covenant exhortations to specific cultic and social regulations. Central to this introductory verse is the infinitive construct לַעֲשֹׂות, translated “to do” or “to carry out.” This infinitive, coupled with the verbs תִּשְׁמְרוּן and נָתַן, links obedience to divine legislation with territorial inheritance. In this article, we will analyze the grammar, syntax, and theological meaning of לַעֲשֹׂות within the verse’s broader structure and covenantal setting.
אֵ֠לֶּה הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן לַעֲשֹׂות֒ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֧י אֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ כָּל־הַיָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם חַיִּ֖ים עַל־הָאֲדָמָֽה׃
Grammatical and Syntactic Analysis of לַעֲשֹׂות
The infinitive לַעֲשֹׂות is from the root עָשָׂה (ʿ-ś-h), meaning “to do, to make, to carry out.” It appears here in the infinitive construct with the preposition לְ, forming a purpose or result clause in relation to the verb תִּשְׁמְרוּן (“you shall keep/guard”).
- Root: עָשָׂה (ʿ-ś-h) – “to do, to act, to carry out”
- Form: Infinitive construct with preposition לְ (“to do”)
- Function: Purpose clause modifying תִּשְׁמְרוּן – “you shall keep in order to do”
The infinitive is not functioning independently but is grammatically subordinate to the main verb, forming a verbal hendiadys: “you shall diligently keep to do.” This construction is typical in Deuteronomic legal language, reflecting not only intent but active implementation.
Phrase-by-Phrase Commentary
אֵ֠לֶּה הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים
- אֵ֠לֶּה – “These” – demonstrative pronoun introducing the section
- הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים – “the statutes” – ritual or fixed laws
- וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים – “and the judgments” – legal decisions or civil laws
אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן לַעֲשֹׂות
- אֲשֶׁר – “which” – relative pronoun introducing a clause of explanation
- תִּשְׁמְרוּן – “you shall keep” – Qal imperfect, 2nd masculine plural
- לַעֲשֹׂות – “to do, to perform” – infinitive construct of עָשָׂה
Together, this phrase emphasizes covenant obedience as both preservation and performance. Israel is not merely to guard or study the law, but to do it, act on it, and embody it in daily life.
בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֧י אֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ
- בָּאָ֕רֶץ – “in the land” – geographic location of covenant application
- אֲשֶׁר נָתַן – “which the LORD… gave” – perfect verb emphasizing completed action (divine grant)
- יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָ – “the LORD, God of your fathers” – covenant title tying Israel’s present to patriarchal promise
לְךָ לְרִשְׁתָּהּ כָּל־הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּם חַיִּים עַל־הָאֲדָמָה
- לְךָ – “to you” – emphasizing divine gift
- לְרִשְׁתָּהּ – “to possess it” – infinitive construct of יָרַשׁ, to inherit or dispossess
- כָּל־הַיָּמִים – “all the days” – continual obedience required
- אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם חַיִּים – “that you are alive” – present participle חַיִּים, “living”
- עַל־הָאֲדָמָה – “upon the ground” – reinforcing geographical embodiment of the covenant
Theological Significance of לַעֲשֹׂות
1. Doing vs. Knowing
The infinitive לַעֲשֹׂות stresses that knowledge of the law is insufficient without action. Deuteronomy links love, fear, and obedience as a unified covenant response. Obedience is demonstrated in action, not only in heart or intention.
2. Spatial Obedience
The verb is set within a geographic clause: obedience is localized—to be performed specifically בָּאָרֶץ (“in the land”). This implies that the Torah is not just moral but territorial, governing the sacred space given by YHWH.
3. Ongoing Covenant Commitment
The phrase כָּל־הַיָּמִים (“all the days”) shows that obedience is not seasonal or occasional, but a continual practice linked to life itself. The infinitive לַעֲשֹׂות anchors this as the practical expression of covenant loyalty.
The Role of לַעֲשֹׂות in Deuteronomy 12:1
The infinitive לַעֲשֹׂות is syntactically subordinate but theologically central. It reflects:
- Grammatically: Infinitive construct of purpose after תִּשְׁמְרוּן
- Semantically: The action component of covenant observance
- Theologically: The embodied obedience expected of Israel in their inheritance
In Deuteronomy 12:1, לַעֲשֹׂות is the bridge between hearing and doing, between divine law and daily life. It affirms that covenant loyalty is measured not by possession alone, but by practiced obedience in the land promised by YHWH.
