After the direct quotation in verse 6 of what people of other nations will say about the Israelites, in verse 7 Moses resumes his address to the people. To ensure that those who hear the text being read aloud understand this, it may be helpful to make verse 7 a separate paragraph and begin it with “And Moses continued….”

Moses’ words in verses 7-8 are in the form of two rhetorical questions, and in some languages it will be useful to render them as direct statements, as Good News Translation does. The point of Moses’ rhetorical questions is that Israel’s God, Yahweh, always answers promptly and decisively whenever the people pray for his help.

A god: the Hebrew word is plural in form, but in most instances it is singular in meaning; here, however, some translations translate it as plural, “gods” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version). It seems preferable, however, to take it as singular. For god see 3.24.

So near to it as the LORD our God is to us: if the figure of physical nearness raises difficulties for the readers, it may be better to say “so quick [or, ready] to help it as the LORD our God is ready to help us.” For another instance of this figure, see Psa 145.18; and see the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kgs 18.20-40.

Whenever we call upon him: “every time we pray for him to help us.”

In some languages it will be helpful to use at least three sentences for translating this verse:

• No other nation, no matter whether it is great or small, has a god like ours. The LORD our God [or, The God whom we worship] is quick to help us. He answers us whenever we call for him to help.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .