Deuteronomy 26

“And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into…” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:” Naming Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great…” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.” The line’s distinctive content terms include land, floweth, honey. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD , hast given me. And thou shalt set it…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou…” Naming Levite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing…” Naming Levite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest…” The line’s distinctive content terms include avouched, commandments, keep. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.