Deuteronomy 11 8

Deuteronomy 11:8 kjv

Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

Deuteronomy 11:8 nkjv

"Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess,

Deuteronomy 11:8 niv

Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

Deuteronomy 11:8 esv

"You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess,

Deuteronomy 11:8 nlt

"Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.

Deuteronomy 11 verses

Deuteronomy 11 8 Meaning

Deuteronomy 11:8 instructs Israel to meticulously obey all the divine commandments given by God through Moses, promising that such obedience will impart strength and enable them to successfully enter and take full possession of the Promised Land across the Jordan River. It establishes a direct covenantal link between fidelity to God's word and the realization of His promises for their corporate well-being and inheritance.

Deuteronomy 11 8 Context

Deuteronomy 11:8 stands within Moses' second discourse to Israel on the plains of Moab, shortly before they are to enter the Promised Land. This chapter, in particular, serves as a pivotal hortatory address where Moses passionately recalls God's faithfulness and mighty acts, especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings (vv. 2-7). He then calls for an unreserved commitment to God, presenting the clear choice between blessing for obedience and curse for disobedience, contrasting Israel's future experience with Egypt's dependence on unpredictable natural phenomena. Verse 8, therefore, sets a foundational condition: continued favor and success in the land depend directly on Israel's faithful adherence to the divine covenant given by God. It directly anticipates the upcoming conquest, tying the act of 'possessing' to faithful 'keeping' of the Law.

Deuteronomy 11 8 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְלָכֵן - v'lakhen): Connects the command to the preceding discourse (Dt 11:1-7), where Moses reminded Israel of God's mighty acts. It signifies a logical consequence or a reason derived from God's past faithfulness and present call to love Him. It points to a direct implication: because of who God is and what He has done, this command follows.
• you shall keep (תִּשְׁמְרוּ - tishmeru): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, watch, observe, heed, diligently obey. This is not passive reception but active, watchful adherence and preservation of the commandments, indicating a conscious, ongoing commitment. It implies both guarding them from neglect and guarding them in practice.
• all (כָּל־ - kol): Emphasizes totality and comprehensiveness. There is no pick-and-choose; obedience must be complete and unreserved. This signifies that selective obedience is not sufficient; the entirety of God's revealed will must be followed.
• the commandment (הַמִּצְוָה - ha'mitzvah): Refers to divine ordinances or instructions. In the singular here, it represents the entire body of revealed divine law as a cohesive unit. It highlights the divine source and authority of these instructions.
• that I command you (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם - asher anochi metzavveh etkhem): Emphasizes the direct divine origin and personal authority of the speaker, Moses, acting as God's representative. It underscores that these are not human statutes but divine dictates.
• today (הַיּוֹם - hayyom): Not just literal 'today', but signifies immediate relevance, urgency, and continuous application. It means "right now, for your generation, and continuously." It grounds the covenant in their present reality and calls for immediate obedience.
• that you may be strong (לְמַעַן תֶּחֱזְקוּ - lema'an teḥezeku): From חָזַק (ḥazaq), meaning to be strong, courageous, firm, prevail, grip. This strength is comprehensive: moral fortitude, spiritual resolve, physical vigor, and the courage needed for the immense task of conquest. It is not self-derived but divinely imparted strength, essential for overcoming obstacles. It serves as a direct polemic against pagan beliefs where strength came from physical might or magical incantations; here, true strength flows from relationship with God and His word.
• and go in (וּבָאתֶם - u'vatem): From בּוֹא (bo'), to come, enter. Refers to the physical entry into the land of Canaan, crossing the Jordan. It is a literal geographical act.
• and possess (וִירִשְׁתֶּם - v'yrishtem): From יָרַשׁ (yarash), to inherit, dispossess, take possession. This signifies not just entry but the complete taking over of the land, removing its inhabitants, and establishing Israelite dominion. It emphasizes the ultimate goal and outcome of their journey.
• the land which you cross over to possess (אֶת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ - et ha'aretz asher attem overim shammah lerishtah): Specifically identifies the geographical location (Canaan) and reiterates the purpose of their crossing. The repetition of 'to possess' reinforces the objective and God's sovereign intent for them to truly own and occupy it.

• "all the commandment... that I command you today": This phrase highlights the demanding yet liberating nature of God's covenant. It calls for total commitment, recognizing God's absolute authority, but also emphasizes that these commands are for their benefit and current application, distinct from external human laws or cultural norms. It serves as a contrast to surrounding cultures which often practiced selective adherence to their deities' demands or believed in appeasing gods with rituals rather than moral obedience.
• "that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land": This phrase forms a direct conditional promise. Obedience is the means to achieve divine strength, which then directly facilitates the success in entering and fully inheriting the land. This intertwines spiritual health with national destiny, demonstrating that God’s blessings are directly contingent upon fidelity to Him. The 'strength' isn't purely physical but encompasses the moral and spiritual fortitude to carry out God's will and confront opposition.

Deuteronomy 11 8 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of the command "to possess" (yarash) found within this single verse, used both after "go in" and at the end "which you cross over to possess," powerfully underscores the singular, primary objective of their immediate journey and their national purpose in Canaan: to take complete and authoritative ownership of the land. This echoes God's original Abrahamic promise, framing it not just as a gift but as a task requiring diligent engagement from Israel, facilitated by their obedience. This verse also contains an implicit pedagogical element: Israel's ability to 'be strong' and 'possess' serves as an object lesson for other nations, demonstrating the power and faithfulness of their God in contrast to the impotence of false deities worshipped by the Canaanites. Their success or failure would speak volumes about Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 11 8 Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:8 is a quintessential verse that distills the Deuteronomic theology: the inextricable link between obedience and blessing. It establishes a covenantal framework where Israel's future strength and success in the land are not automatic but are directly contingent on their diligent, comprehensive adherence to God's commandments. The "strength" promised is more than mere physical prowess; it implies moral integrity, spiritual resilience, and the divine empowerment necessary to fulfill God's purposes in a challenging new environment. "To go in and possess" signifies the divinely promised inheritance, but its acquisition requires human action rooted in divine faithfulness. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's blessings, while sovereignly given, are often experienced in direct proportion to human responsiveness and obedience to His revealed will, emphasizing that true lasting dominion comes not from military might alone but from a heart wholly devoted to the Lord. For believers today, it underscores the spiritual truth that consistent obedience to Christ's teachings leads to spiritual strength and the full enjoyment of their spiritual inheritance in Him.