Deuteronomy 12:28 kjv
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 12:28 nkjv
Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:28 niv
Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:28 esv
Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:28 nlt
Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 5:33 | "...Walk in all the way which the Lᴏʀᴅ your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may go well with you..." | General command for obedience & blessing. |
| Deut 6:3 | "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to do it, that it may go well with you..." | Emphasis on hearing and doing for well-being. |
| Deut 12:25 | "...you shall do what is right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ." | Immediate chapter context, doing what is right. |
| Deut 13:18 | "...if you diligently obey the voice of the Lᴏʀᴅ your God, keeping all His commandments... doing what is right in the sight of the Lᴏʀᴅ..." | Echoes exact phrasing on obedience. |
| Deut 4:40 | "...that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land..." | Similar phrase for generational blessing. |
| Psa 1:1-3 | "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... his delight is in the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ... he is like a tree planted by streams of water..." | Illustrates blessing from living by God's law. |
| Pro 3:1-2 | "My son, do not forget my teaching... for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you." | Wisdom on obeying teaching for a good life. |
| Psa 112:1-2 | "Blessed is the man who fears the Lᴏʀᴅ... His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed." | Direct connection to fearing God and generational blessing. |
| Psa 103:17-18 | "But the steadfast love of the Lᴏʀᴅ is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant..." | God's faithfulness and covenant blessing across generations. |
| 1 Kgs 15:5 | "...because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ, and did not turn aside from anything that He commanded him..." | Example of an individual who did what was right in God's eyes. |
| 2 Chr 14:2 | "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ his God." | Example of a king doing what is good and right. |
| Jer 7:23 | "...Obey My voice, and I will be your God... and walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you." | Prophetic reaffirmation of obedience and well-being. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lᴏʀᴅ require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" | Summarizes God's definition of "good and right" in action. |
| Jdg 17:6 | "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." | Negative contrast: chaos from doing what seems right to self. |
| Pro 14:12 | "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." | Contrast: Human perception of right vs. God's truth. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Parable of wise and foolish builders, emphasizes doing Jesus' words for stability. | New Testament parallel emphasizing obedience to teaching. |
| Jam 1:22 | "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." | New Testament call to be doers, not just hearers. |
| Eph 6:1-3 | "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right... 'that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.'" | New Testament echo of blessing for obedience. |
| Col 3:20 | "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." | New Testament application of obedience pleasing God. |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | "For the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ are over the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer..." | "Eyes of the Lord" linked to divine observation and response to righteousness. |
Deuteronomy 12 verses
Deuteronomy 12 28 Meaning
Deuteronomy 12:28 mandates Israel to diligently heed and follow all of God's commands given through Moses. This unwavering obedience, specifically in doing what God deems "good and right," is presented as the direct path to well-being and flourishing, not only for the current generation but also for their children throughout future generations, thereby securing their covenant blessings and prosperous existence in the Promised Land. The verse emphasizes that true good and right are defined by the LORD's own perspective and standard, not by human preference or contemporary cultural norms.
Deuteronomy 12 28 Context
Deuteronomy 12:28 is situated within Moses' final discourses to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The immediate context of chapter 12 is the crucial command for Israel to centralize worship. Unlike the Canaanite peoples, who worshiped their gods on every high hill and under every green tree (Deut 12:2), Israel was to worship YHWH only at "the place which the Lᴏʀᴅ your God will choose" (Deut 12:5, 11). This command sought to preserve the purity of Israelite worship, prevent syncretism with pagan practices (which often included abhorrent acts like child sacrifice, Deut 12:31), and reinforce a unified national identity centered around the exclusive worship of the one true God. The verse underscores that the good and right actions are not arbitrary human choices, but those directly prescribed by God in contrast to the detestable practices of the nations they were about to displace. The broader context of Deuteronomy reiterates the Mosaic covenant: obedience leads to blessing and life in the land, while disobedience leads to curses and exile.
Deuteronomy 12 28 Word analysis
- "Observe and listen to all these words" (though not explicitly stated in v.28, implied by context from previous verses like Deut 12:28 itself and preceding verses such as 12:29 where šāma' (שָׁמַע) 'hear, listen' appears alongside šāmar (שָׁמַר) 'observe, keep'): This pair of verbs emphasizes active engagement: to hear carefully, internalize, and then diligently follow the divine instruction. It is not passive reception but intentional adherence.
- "which I command you": Establishes divine authority and imperative nature. These are not suggestions but non-negotiable decrees from God Himself through Moses.
- "that it may go well with you" (יִיטַב לָךְ, yitab lach): The Hebrew verb yatav (יטב) implies thriving, prospering, and experiencing well-being. This covers comprehensive flourishing – physically, materially, socially, and spiritually. It’s a promised consequence, not an earned merit, flowing from a covenant relationship.
- "and with your children forever" (וְלִבְנֶיךָ עַד-עוֹלָם, ve’livnekha ad-olam): Highlights the enduring, generational nature of God's blessings based on covenant faithfulness. The term
ad-olam means "unto forever," emphasizing perpetual benefit across succeeding generations, securing their legacy and presence in the land. This contrasts sharply with the long-term ruin associated with pagan practices and covenant breaking (Exod 20:5). - "when you do" (כִּי תַעֲשֶׂה, ki ta'aseh): Emphasizes action and obedience (from `asah (עשה) 'to do, to make, to perform'). Knowing or hearing is insufficient; performance is key. It implies deliberate and consistent adherence to God's will.
- "what is good" (הַטּוֹב, hattov): Refers to that which is morally excellent, beneficial, pleasing, and aligns with God's perfect character. This is not subjective human good but God's divine standard of what is intrinsically good (Psa 34:8).
- "and right" (וְהַיָּשָׁר, vehayashar): Signifies what is upright, just, straightforward, equitable, and in conformity with divine law. The Hebrew term yashar (ישר) conveys a sense of straightness, righteousness, and moral rectitude.
- "in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ your God" (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, be'einei YHWH Eloheikha): This crucial qualifier indicates that the standard for "good" and "right" is exclusively God's perspective and approval, not human logic, cultural trends, or what feels convenient. It highlights divine omniscience and moral authority. It acts as a polemic against practices "right in one's own eyes" (Jdg 17:6; Pro 14:12), which inevitably lead to moral chaos. It is a direct counter to the subjective morality of surrounding nations and a call to please the Sovereign God alone.
Words-group by Words-group Analysis
- "that it may go well with you and with your children forever": This phrase encapsulates the covenant blessings of shalom (wholeness, peace, well-being) and a guaranteed future. It roots national and familial prosperity deeply in covenant fidelity, showing God's desire for the perpetual flourishing of His people when they follow His way. The multi-generational aspect emphasizes the far-reaching impact of present-day obedience.
- "when you do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ your God": This entire phrase forms the conditional basis for the blessing. It underscores that God's standards are the sole arbiter of true goodness and righteousness. It calls for a life lived actively seeking God's approval rather than human validation or self-gratification, specifically addressing how Israel conducts its worship and avoids the detestable practices of pagan nations.
Deuteronomy 12 28 Bonus section
- This verse stands as a powerful counter-cultural statement against subjective morality, affirming that "good" and "right" are not matters of opinion but are divinely defined.
- The "eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ" signifies God's all-seeing judgment, His approval, and His attentiveness to the actions of His people. It implies that God scrutinizes and cares about how Israel lives out its covenant relationship.
- The principle articulated here is universal across Scripture: God blesses those who walk in His ways and keep His commands, and these blessings often extend beyond the individual to their family and community. This pattern is evident throughout biblical narratives, both in positive examples of those who obey and the negative consequences for those who rebel.
- The command in Deut 12 to centralize worship is a practical application of "doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ," demonstrating that righteous living is inherently tied to right worship and exclusive devotion to God.
Deuteronomy 12 28 Commentary
Deuteronomy 12:28 encapsulates a core theological principle of the Mosaic covenant: obedience to God's revealed will leads directly to divine blessing. It presents a simple yet profound truth: true well-being and generational stability are not achieved by following human wisdom or cultural norms, but by faithfully enacting God's standards for "good" and "right." This "good and right" is exclusively defined "in the eyes of the LORD," emphasizing His moral authority and absolute truth in contrast to the relativistic or depraved practices of the Canaanites, which Israel was expressly forbidden to emulate. The verse therefore serves as both an urgent command to maintain purity in worship and life, and a foundational promise of prosperity for all who commit to wholehearted allegiance to YHWH, securing their place and heritage in the Promised Land for generations to come.