Deuteronomy 10 13

Deuteronomy 10:13 kjv

To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Deuteronomy 10:13 nkjv

and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Deuteronomy 10:13 niv

and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

Deuteronomy 10:13 esv

and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

Deuteronomy 10:13 nlt

And you must always obey the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

Deuteronomy 10 verses

Deuteronomy 10 13 Meaning

Deuteronomy 10:13 reveals that the commands and statutes given by the LORD through Moses are not arbitrary restrictions but are intended entirely for the ultimate well-being and flourishing of His people. Obedience to God's divine will is portrayed not as a burdensome duty, but as a path ordained by a benevolent God for their comprehensive welfare, encompassing physical, social, and spiritual good.

Deuteronomy 10 13 Context

Deuteronomy 10:13 is found within Moses' second great discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This section (Deut 9:1-11:32) emphasizes Israel's covenant relationship with the LORD. Following Moses' recount of Israel's rebellions (e.g., the golden calf) and God's renewed covenant grace, he calls the people to a renewed commitment to the LORD. Verse 12 immediately precedes it, posing the rhetorical question, "What does the LORD your God require of you...?" Verse 13 directly answers this question, asserting that the very purpose of keeping God's commandments is for Israel's welfare. This contrasts sharply with the arbitrary demands of pagan deities and tyrannical rulers in ancient Near Eastern cultures, underscoring YHWH's unique benevolence towards His covenant people. It is a powerful affirmation that God's law is rooted in His love and wisdom for humanity's good.

Deuteronomy 10 13 Word analysis

• "to keep" (לִשְׁמֹר, lishmor): From the root שׁמר (shamor). More than mere intellectual awareness; it implies "to observe," "to guard," "to diligently watch over," "to obey," and "to preserve." It denotes active, protective adherence and implies responsibility for the continued existence and practice of the law. It suggests not only obedience but also internalizing and upholding the principles.

• "the commandments" (מִצְוֹת, mitzvot): From the root צוה (tsavah), meaning "to command" or "to instruct." These are general divine precepts, specific divine decrees or rules given by God. Plural form highlights the extensive nature of God's instructions.

• "of the LORD" (יהוה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal and faithful relationship with Israel. These commands are from the ultimate, supreme authority, not from human wisdom or arbitrary rule.

• "and his statutes" (וְחֻקֹּתָיו, vechuqqotav): From חֹק (choq), referring to engraved or fixed ordinances, statutes, and decrees. Often referring to fixed laws, customs, or ordinances, perhaps less explicit than a specific commandment, but foundational principles or established norms. Paired with "commandments," it indicates the comprehensive scope of God's revealed will.

• "which I command thee" (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ, asher anochi metzavvekha): "I" refers to Moses, serving as the mediator of God's direct instruction. The present participle form "commanding" emphasizes the immediate, ongoing, and active nature of the divine injunction for the current generation standing before Moses. It underscores the personal address to each individual and the people as a whole.

• "this day" (הַיּוֹם, hayyom): A key Deuteronomic theological marker. It emphasizes the immediacy, contemporaneity, and renewed commitment to the covenant for this generation. It implies a fresh moment of decision and responsibility, transcending mere historical recounting. It's a call to present action and loyalty.

• "for thy good" (לְטוֹב לָךְ, leṭōḇ lāḵ): This is a pivotal phrase. Ṭōḇ (טוב) encompasses "good" in a holistic sense: welfare, prosperity, benefit, health, peace, safety, rightness, and flourishing. It points to both material well-being in the land and spiritual well-being in relationship with God. It fundamentally challenges the notion of divine commands as burdensome, instead presenting them as God's loving provision for humanity's true welfare and happiness. This differentiates the God of Israel from pagan deities whose demands often brought harm or hardship to their followers.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "to keep the commandments... and his statutes": This phrase emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of God's Law. It's not selective obedience, but a holistic submission to all of God's revealed will—both specific instructions and underlying principles.
  • "which I command thee this day": Highlights the divine origin and authoritative delivery of these laws. Moses is God's spokesperson, conveying a timeless truth with contemporary relevance and urgency for Israel's current generation.
  • "for thy good": This critical telos (purpose) clarifies the divine motivation. God's demands are fundamentally benevolent and aimed at the people's ultimate thriving. This undercuts any perception of God's law as arbitrary or oppressive, framing it instead as wisdom and a gift from a loving Creator.

Deuteronomy 10 13 Bonus section

The "for your good" motif in Deuteronomy is a counter-polemic against ancient Near Eastern cults and legal systems. While other law codes primarily aimed to maintain societal order or the king's power, God's law uniquely stresses the beneficial outcome for the governed. It's not about making God powerful, but about His desire for His people to thrive. This perspective anticipates later biblical themes: the Law as "good" (Rom 7:12), the New Covenant where God writes His laws on hearts to enable joyful obedience (Jer 31:33), and the intrinsic link between loving God and keeping His commandments as not burdensome (1 Jn 5:3). God's "commands" are expressions of His loving care and wisdom for humanity, reflecting His perfect standard of good as established from creation (e.g., Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Gen 2:9).

Deuteronomy 10 13 Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:13 serves as a profound summary of the divine intent behind God's commands: they are for human benefit, not burden. Moses emphasizes that the seemingly restrictive nature of God's laws is in fact a pathway to holistic well-being—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. God's statutes and commandments, rooted in His perfect wisdom and unwavering love, define true good (tôv). Unlike the self-serving rules or destructive practices of surrounding nations, the LORD's covenantal requirements lead to a prosperous, harmonious, and blessed life. To "keep" these commands implies diligent attention, protective adherence, and active obedience, not just passive acknowledgment. "This day" grounds the timeless commands in a present responsibility, urging the people to embrace God's benevolent instruction now for their enduring welfare. It illustrates that obedience is not about God's gain, but His people's ultimate flourishing, reflecting His character as a giving and good Father.

• Practical Examples:
  • Adhering to principles of honesty and integrity (commandments like "you shall not steal") leads to trust and a stable society, which is for everyone's "good."
  • Honoring family relationships (e.g., "honor your father and mother") strengthens social fabric and individual well-being.
  • Resting on the Sabbath (commandments concerning "holy days") brings physical and spiritual renewal, preventing burnout.