The Meaning of Deuteronomy 10:16 Explained

Deuteronomy 10:16

KJV: Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

YLT: and ye have circumcised the foreskin of your heart, and your neck ye do not harden any more;

Darby: Circumcise then the foreskin of your heart, and stiffen your neck no more.

ASV: Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Circumcise  therefore the foreskin  of your heart,  and be no more stiffnecked. 

What does Deuteronomy 10:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 10:1-22 - What The Lord Requires Of Us
The second writing of the Law reminds us of the work wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. When first we hear the Law, we are condemned; but when we have repented and believed, God writes it on the fleshly tablets of our hearts, Hebrews 8:10. Together with this deepening love and delight in God's Law, we enter into the spiritual equivalent of Levi's calling, standing to minister, and blessing in God's name.
Every word of the magnificent parable from Deuteronomy 10:12 deserves careful pondering. Let us learn what God requires and then ask Him to create such things in us. As Augustine puts it: "Give what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt." But we must be willing to enter into the inner significance of the initial Jewish rite, which; is also taught in baptism, Romans 2:26-29; Colossians 2:11-12. The separation of Calvary's Cross leads to the filling of Pentecost! [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 10

1  God's mercy in restoring the two tablets
6  in continuing the priesthood
8  in separating the tribe of Levi
10  in hearkening unto Moses' plea for his people
12  An exhortation to obedience

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 10:16 mean?

Therefore circumcise - the foreskin of your heart and No be stiff-necked longer
וּמַלְתֶּ֕ם אֵ֖ת עָרְלַ֣ת לְבַבְכֶ֑ם וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔ם לֹ֥א תַקְשׁ֖וּ עֽוֹד

וּמַלְתֶּ֕ם  Therefore  circumcise 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: מוּל 
Sense: to circumcise, let oneself be circumcised, cut, be cut off.
אֵ֖ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
עָרְלַ֣ת  the  foreskin 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: הָעֲרָלֹות 
Sense: foreskin, uncircumcised.
לְבַבְכֶ֑ם  of  your  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: לֵבָב  
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.
לֹ֥א  No 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תַקְשׁ֖וּ  be  stiff-necked 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: קָשָׁה  
Sense: to be hard, be severe, be fierce, be harsh.
עֽוֹד  longer 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עֹוד  
Sense: a going round, continuance adv.