What Does Deuteronomy 18:13 Mean in the King James?

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 18:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Here, “perfect” opens onto being whole and undivided in the LORD’s presence.

THE MEANING

The verse speaks of wholeness with the LORD your God: an undivided life in his presence. Its measure is integrity, carried through the whole person.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that being with God requires flawless performance; the verse points to wholeness, not a life without a single flaw.

THE ROOT

תָּמִים

tamim

GROWS FROM

תמם

t-m-m

To be complete or whole.

Tamim opens “perfect” onto the sense of being whole and undivided before God. Its word family also names integrity and completion, so the verse describes wholeness in God’s presence.

ALSO GROWS

tom: Integrity; wholeness.

תֹּם

This branch shows how being whole with God includes integrity rather than an outward appearance of flawlessness.

tam: Whole or complete; also used for a person of integrity.

תָּם

This related form links the verse’s “perfect” with a whole way of being.

THE PATTERN

Wholeness before God is integrity that carries through the walk, the work, and the heart.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 17:1 · KJVThe same Hebrew word, tamim, names the wholeness of walking before God.

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalm 15:2 · KJVThe walk, actions, and speech all express integrity held together as one life.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:4 · KJVCompleteness is pictured as a whole person, lacking nothing.

THE THREAD

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 17:1 · KJV

Genesis uses the same Hebrew word, tamim, translated “perfect” here. In both verses, it opens the idea of wholeness in the LORD’s presence.

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