Deuteronomy 11 22

Deuteronomy 11:22 kjv

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Deuteronomy 11:22 nkjv

"For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do?to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him?

Deuteronomy 11:22 niv

If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow?to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him?

Deuteronomy 11:22 esv

For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him,

Deuteronomy 11:22 nlt

"Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.

Deuteronomy 11 verses

Deuteronomy 11 22 Meaning

Deuteronomy 11:22 declares that if the people of Israel diligently observe God's commands, loving Him with their whole being, living according to His character and principles, and maintaining a steadfast and intimate devotion to Him, then they will experience the promised blessings and secure their inheritance in the land. It establishes obedience born of love as the foundational condition for divine favor and prosperous life within the covenant.

Deuteronomy 11 22 Context

Deuteronomy 11 continues Moses' discourse to the Israelites before their entry into Canaan, urging them to remember God's faithfulness and power demonstrated in their deliverance from Egypt and wilderness journey. It contrasts the immediate, water-dependent land of Egypt with Canaan, a land sustained by rainfall from God. The chapter emphasizes that Israel's well-being and prosperity in the promised land are entirely conditional upon their loyal obedience to the covenant with Yahweh. This verse (11:22) acts as a summarizing call to action, outlining the precise spiritual posture required for Israel to inherit the blessings described in the subsequent verses, primarily successful land possession, abundance, and national security. It underpins the central Deuteronomic theology of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, stressing a heart-driven, comprehensive devotion rather than mere ritualistic observance. It implicitly serves as a polemic against the polytheistic practices and nature worship of the Canaanites, affirming exclusive allegiance to Yahweh as the sole provider and true God.

Deuteronomy 11 22 Word analysis

• For if (כִּי אִם, ki im): A strong conditional phrase, meaning "if indeed" or "truly if." It sets up a definite prerequisite for the following blessings, emphasizing the certainty of the cause-and-effect relationship in the covenant.
• Diligently keep (שָׁמֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּ, shamor tishmeru): This employs the Hebrew infinitive absolute (שָׁמֹר) followed by the imperfect tense verb (תִּשְׁמְרוּ) of the same root (shamar). This grammatical construction provides intense emphasis, signifying "you shall surely keep," "you shall indeed observe," or "you shall vigilantly watch over." It indicates not merely casual compliance, but earnest, persistent, and careful adherence. The word shamar itself means to guard, watch over, observe, or preserve, suggesting active vigilance.
• All these commandments (כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת, kol-hammitz’wah hazo’t): "All" (kol) highlights the comprehensive nature of the demand—it's not selective obedience, but a holistic submission to the entire corpus of laws and statutes that Moses had commanded them, not just the Ten Commandments. Mitzvah (commandment) here refers to the divine directives encompassing legal, ethical, and ritual instructions for the covenant people.
• Which I command you today (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם, asher anochi metsaveh etkhem hayom): This signifies that the commands are directly from divine authority, channeled through Moses "today," making them immediately relevant and requiring contemporary adherence as they stand on the brink of entering the land.
• To do them (לַעֲשֹׂותָהּ, la’asotah): The emphasis is on active performance, putting the commands into practice. It’s not enough to merely hear or know them; the expectation is obedient action and living them out. Asah means "to do," "to make," or "to perform."
• To love the LORD your God (לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, le’ahavah et-YHWH Eloheykhem): Love (ahavah) here is not merely an emotion, but a covenantal commitment, a choice to be loyal and devoted. It implies showing fidelity through obedience. It’s a reciprocal relationship: God loves His people, and they are called to respond with active love demonstrated in allegiance and following His ways, as previously commanded in the Shema (Deut 6:5).
• To walk in all His ways (לָלֶכֶת בְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו, lalechet bekol-derakhayv): "To walk" (halakh) is a common biblical metaphor for one's way of life, conduct, or consistent pattern of behavior. "His ways" refers to God’s character, principles, and the path of righteousness He has revealed. It signifies that Israel's entire lifestyle—moral, ethical, and spiritual—should conform to God's standards and emulate His attributes (e.g., justice, mercy, holiness).
• And to hold fast to Him (וּלְדָבְקָה־בּוֹ, ul'davqa-bo): "To hold fast" (dabaq) implies to cleave, cling, or be intimately joined and dedicated. This term signifies profound loyalty, steadfast commitment, and an unbreakable bond, moving beyond mere outward compliance to a deep, intimate relationship and unwavering devotion to God alone. It speaks of spiritual perseverance and enduring allegiance, contrasting with the temptation to follow other gods.

Deuteronomy 11 22 Bonus section

The structure of Deuteronomy 11, particularly leading up to verse 22 and its subsequent verses (23-25), often highlights the conditional nature of the covenant and the critical role of the individual and collective choice of Israel. This verse serves as the lynchpin between the past narratives of God's mighty acts (vv. 2-7) and the future promises of blessings (vv. 26ff). The combination of "love," "walk," and "hold fast" creates a comprehensive framework for biblical spirituality, depicting a dynamic relationship where obedience is born out of affection and results in intimate fidelity, a pattern echoed throughout Scripture regarding believers' relationship with God. The call to "hold fast" or "cling" to God implies not just loyalty, but a profound dependence, recognizing God as the source of all life and blessing. This concept underscores the constant struggle Israel faced between covenant fidelity and the temptations of polytheistic practices prevalent in Canaan.

Deuteronomy 11 22 Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:22 articulates a profoundly holistic vision of covenant life, making it a foundational principle for Israel's continued existence and prosperity in the Promised Land. It transcends mere legalism, positing that true obedience stems from a deep, heartfelt love for God. This love is not a passive sentiment but is manifested through diligent keeping of all His commands. The emphasis on "doing them" ensures that faith is never divorced from action.

Furthermore, the verse moves beyond adherence to specific laws by calling for a lifestyle of "walking in all His ways." This encompasses imitating God's character in daily conduct, justice, and righteousness, fostering a life that genuinely reflects the divine nature. The culminating aspect, "to hold fast to Him," speaks of an intimate, unyielding allegiance that forms the very core of Israel's identity and security. This dabaq signifies exclusive, devoted attachment, safeguarding against the idolatry and syncretism prevalent among the surrounding nations.

In essence, Moses here connects Israel's future flourishing not just to following rules, but to a love-driven, comprehensive lifestyle of obedience and a steadfast, personal relationship with God. This divine equation of active love and committed loyalty ultimately unlocks the blessings promised in the covenant. For example, maintaining justice and righteousness in the land (walking in His ways) ensures social harmony and God's continued favor, while holding fast to Him prevents turning to false deities in times of drought or difficulty, securing divine provision.