Deuteronomy 11:27 kjv
A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
Deuteronomy 11:27 nkjv
the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today;
Deuteronomy 11:27 niv
the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;
Deuteronomy 11:27 esv
the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today,
Deuteronomy 11:27 nlt
You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.
Deuteronomy 11 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:2 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse" | God's blessing pattern |
| Exod 19:5 | "if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant" | Covenant based on obedience |
| Lev 26:3-4 | "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments… I will give you rain" | Blessings for obedience to statutes |
| Deut 5:32-33 | "You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you" | Strict adherence to commands |
| Deut 6:3 | "that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly" | Wellbeing tied to hearing and obeying |
| Deut 7:12 | "if you listen to these rules and keep and do them" | Listening and doing brings covenant blessing |
| Deut 11:13-15 | "if you will diligently obey my commandments... I will give you the rain" | Specific blessings for diligent obedience |
| Deut 11:28 | "and the curse, if you do not obey" | Opposite consequence (curse) for disobedience |
| Deut 28:1-2 | "if you obey the voice of the LORD your God… all these blessings shall come" | Comprehensive list of blessings for obedience |
| Deut 28:15 | "But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God" | Warning of curses for disobedience |
| Josh 1:8 | "this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth... then you will make your way prosperous" | Success through obedience to the Law |
| Ps 1:1-3 | "Blessed is the man... who meditates on His law day and night." | Blessing found in delighting in God's Law |
| Ps 19:7-11 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul... rewarding" | Perfect law, bringing rewards |
| Isa 1:19 | "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" | Conditional promise for the willing and obedient |
| Jer 7:23 | "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people" | Foundation of the covenant relationship |
| Mt 7:24 | "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like" | Jesus emphasizing doing, not just hearing |
| Lk 11:28 | "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | New Testament affirmation of active hearing |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | Obedience as proof of love for Christ |
| Jas 1:22 | "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only" | Practical application of the Word |
| 1 Jn 2:3 | "by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments" | Knowledge of God tied to obedience |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments" | Love for God demonstrated through obedience |
| Rom 2:13 | "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers" | Righteousness through doing the law |
Deuteronomy 11 verses
Deuteronomy 11 27 Meaning
Deuteronomy 11:27 presents the condition for receiving divine blessing within the Mosaic covenant: it is contingent upon Israel's active obedience to the specific commandments given by the LORD. This verse sets out a clear cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing that the positive consequences of God's favor are directly tied to faithful adherence to His divine instructions delivered on that very day.
Deuteronomy 11 27 Context
Deuteronomy 11:27 is part of Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 9-11 particularly stress the importance of total allegiance to Yahweh, based on His mighty acts in their past and His gracious provision for their future. This verse immediately follows a declarative statement in verse 26, "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse." Verse 27 defines the condition for receiving the blessing, and verse 28 then defines the condition for receiving the curse. This entire section serves as a climactic presentation of choice and consequences, urging Israel towards wholehearted obedience as the key to flourishing in the land God is giving them. It is a renewal and re-emphasis of the conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant, established at Mount Sinai, providing clear terms for their continued existence and prosperity in the land of Canaan, directly contrasting their choice with the practices of the nations they were about to dispossess, which often involved worship of multiple gods and idolatrous practices.
Deuteronomy 11 27 Word analysis
- A blessing: Hebrew b'rakhah (בְּרָכָה). This term signifies divine favor, prosperity, and welfare bestowed by God. It encompasses fruitfulness, material abundance, peace, safety, and God's presence, leading to overall well-being. It is the direct opposite of a curse.
- if you obey: Hebrew im tishma' (אִם־תִּשְׁמְעוּ). This is a conditional clause. Shama' (שָׁמַע) is a crucial Hebrew verb, meaning more than just "to hear." It implies active listening, attentive hearing, and consequent acting upon what is heard. It denotes "to hear and obey," embodying both perception and compliance. This highlights the required active response to God's word.
- the commandments: Hebrew mitzvot (מִצְוֹת). These are divine precepts, specific instructions, or rules given by God. In Deuteronomy, this often refers to the entire body of law, statutes, and ordinances revealed by God to Israel through Moses. They are not arbitrary rules but reflect God's holy character and His will for His covenant people.
- of the LORD your God: Hebrew YHWH Eloheikhem (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם). This is a profound relational title. YHWH (the LORD) is God's personal covenant name, revealing His unchanging faithfulness and self-existence. Eloheikhem (your God) emphasizes His particular, intimate, and covenantal relationship with Israel. It signifies their unique privilege and responsibility to Him alone as their sovereign God.
- which I command you today: Hebrew asher anokhi mitzvvehkhem hayyom (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם). This phrase reiterates the divine origin and immediate relevance of the commands. "I command you" reinforces Moses' role as the divine messenger. "Today" (hayyom) is a recurring motif in Deuteronomy, emphasizing the present moment of decision and the urgency for immediate response. It brings the covenant stipulations into the present, demanding a decision from each generation.
Deuteronomy 11 27 Bonus section
The choice presented in Deut 11:26-28 between blessing and curse is directly linked to the geographical arrangement for its public pronouncement on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Deut 11:29-30). Mount Gerizim was known for its fertility and associated with blessings, while Mount Ebal was rocky and barren, symbolizing curses. This visual aid was intended to make the consequences of their choice unforgettable for the Israelites, emphasizing the tangible outcomes of their spiritual alignment. The entire Book of Deuteronomy functions as a covenant renewal document, reminding Israel that their prosperity in the land was never guaranteed but depended on their ongoing, active loyalty to God and His laws.
Deuteronomy 11 27 Commentary
Deuteronomy 11:27 succinctly encapsulates the heart of the Mosaic Covenant: blessing is conditional upon obedience. This verse is not just a statement of divine policy; it's an urgent call to decision for the entire Israelite community on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. It presents a non-negotiable choice with clear consequences, a "way of life and good" or a "way of death and evil." The command to "obey" (shama') is central, signifying not a superficial hearing, but a deep, responsive hearing that results in action. This holistic obedience to the "commandments of the LORD your God"—revealed directly by Him—was the established path to communal flourishing, protection, and the enjoyment of the land's bounty. This dynamic reveals God's covenant faithfulness (He blesses as promised) and humanity's responsibility (to respond in obedience). While the Law highlighted human failure and the need for a Redeemer (Gal 3:24), the principle remains that aligning with God's will leads to spiritual well-being, even under the New Covenant where obedience springs from faith and love rather than as a means to earn salvation (Jn 14:15, 1 Jn 5:3). For instance, an individual who "obeys" the spiritual "commands" to confess sin and believe in Christ (Acts 16:31) receives the blessing of salvation. Similarly, a community that walks in the Lord's ways experiences peace and flourishing in God-honoring relationships.