CHAPTER 7 Defining Evangelizing - Evangelism Unlimited

Thomas P. Johnston 463
My translation: “You shall fear the Lord your (sg.) God and serve/worship him and unto
him shall you cleave [κολλάω] and unto his name alone”
In other verses, the translators of the LXX translated this verb by the Greek ὄμνυμι or
ὀμνύω—to swear (e.g. Deut 6:10, 18, 23)
By the way, does not the reading “swear by” of “cling to” coincide with a proper reading and
application of the “Shamah” in Deut 6:5 (the direct context of the command):
Which is far more than a mere ontological reality (affirming philosophical monotheism)
But is a relational and soteriological reality (affirming the Lord’s unique role in the
choosing of and salvation of Israel as a nation of individuals [hence singular
throughout, except “your God” in 6:5], and by transference, our salvation)
Even “your God” in 6:13 is singular!
Consider also that “taking an oath” (as in Deut 6:13) is verbal (if that is actually the proper
translation)—a prototype to a sinner’s oath to God in prayer!
Otherwise, if “cling” or “cleave” is a better translation (as in the LXX), it is an affirmation
of complete dependence!
Dabaq—meaning “to cling to”, Deut 10:20
Which verb is used in parallel to shaba’ (implying similarity and/or continuity of thought)
Interestingly, the LXX translated 10:20 identically to 6:13:
Deut 10:20 κύριον τὸν θεόν σου φοβηθήσῃ καὶ αὐτῷ λατρεύσεις καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν κολληθήσῃ καὶ τῷ
ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ὀμῇ
Whereas, the Hebrew (Leningradensis) adds a fourth verb to the string in the third position
(ק ָבּד ְת
ִ וֹבוּ; wa-bo tidbaq)
Therefore the Hebrew of Deut 10:20 includes both the verbs dabaq (cling to) and shaba’
(swear by/unto)
Also interestingly, the Hebrew verb dabaq is used in Psa 119:25, and is translated with
the Greek κολλάω (“cling to”) as above in Deut 6:13!
Could it be that the translators of the LXX considered the concepts the same? In other
words, spiritually clinging to the Lord = verbally bearing witness to His name?
Tehillah—meaning to praise (in Greek, translated kau,chma, “boast”), Deut 10:21
It seems that Deut 10:21 builds upon the emphasis of the verbal element in the prior verse,
with a crescendo of praise, boasting in the Lord and His marvelous works
Deut 10:21 seems then to be a precursor of Psa 34:2, “My soul shall make its boast in the
LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad”
As well as to Gal 6:14, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”
Also at issue, the application of this text by Jesus in His temptation—the “dynamic equivalent
translation” of Jesus (if anyone has the right to dynamic equivalent translation, it is Jesus, who
truly understands the mind of God!)
Jesus used two verbs when he responded to the temptation of Satan (purportedly quoting Deut
6:13):
Matt 4:10 (Byz) Τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ· γέγραπται γάρ, Κύριον τὸν θεόν
σου προσκυνήσεις, καὶ αὐτῷ μόνῳ λατρεύσεις
“You shall kneel” (προσκυνέω), literally “genuflect”
“You shall worship” (λατρεύω), to worship or serve
Luke 4:8 (Byz) Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ· γέγραπται,
Προσκυνήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου, καὶ αὐτῷ μόνῳ λατρεύσεις
[In the Greek Orthodox Text, the Byzantine textform, and the Nestle-Aland critical edition
text-history, Luke uses the same two verbs as Matthew]