Deuteronomy 16:20 kjv
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deuteronomy 16:20 nkjv
You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:20 niv
Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:20 esv
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:20 nlt
Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 1:16-17 | "And I charged your judges at that time...You shall not be partial... | Instructions for impartial judges. |
| Deut 5:33 | "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded...that you may live" | Obedience for life and good in the land. |
| Deut 30:19-20 | "Choose life...loving the LORD...for He is your life...live in the land." | Life promised through faithful obedience. |
| Lev 19:15 | "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial... | Prohibition against partiality in judgment. |
| Ex 23:6-8 | "You shall not pervert the justice...take no bribe... | Warnings against perverting justice and bribery. |
| Ps 89:14 | "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne..." | God's throne founded on righteousness and justice. |
| Ps 106:3 | "Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!" | Blessing for those who practice justice. |
| Prov 1:3 | "To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity" | Justice as part of wisdom. |
| Prov 17:15 | "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination" | Condemns judicial perversion. |
| Prov 28:5 | "Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely." | Righteous understand and seek justice. |
| Isa 1:17 | "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression..." | Call to actively seek justice and defend the weak. |
| Isa 30:18 | "The LORD waits to be gracious...He is a God of justice." | God's just nature. |
| Isa 42:1-4 | "He will bring forth justice to the nations...he will not grow faint." | God's servant (Messiah) brings universal justice. |
| Isa 59:14-15 | "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away..." | Consequences of pervasive injustice. |
| Jer 22:3-5 | "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor..." | Prophetic call for justice to prevent destruction. |
| Hos 12:6 | "You must return to your God; hold fast to love and justice..." | Exhortation to cling to God through justice. |
| Amos 5:24 | "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." | Powerful image of abundant, pervasive justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | "What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness..." | Summary of core divine requirements, including justice. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness..." | Divine command for true, compassionate justice. |
| Matt 5:6 | "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." | A hunger for moral rightness, reflecting justice. |
| Matt 23:23 | "Woe to you...for you pay tithe...and neglect the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." | Jesus critiques neglect of fundamental justice. |
| Rom 3:21-26 | "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested...for God to be just" | God's justice displayed in redemption through Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:24 | "...died to sin and live to righteousness..." | Believers are called to live righteously. |
Deuteronomy 16 verses
Deuteronomy 16 20 Meaning
Deuteronomy 16:20 commands the people of Israel to relentlessly and uncompromisingly pursue justice. The repetition of "justice" emphasizes its absolute and unwavering nature. This pursuit of righteousness in all facets of life—legal, social, and personal—is presented as the non-negotiable condition for truly living and enjoying the full blessings of the promised land which God is bestowing upon them. It signifies that communal life and individual flourishing are intricately linked to a just society, reflecting the character of God Himself.
Deuteronomy 16 20 Context
Deuteronomy 16:20 falls within Moses' second address to the Israelites as they stand on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the promised land. The immediate context of verses 18-20 instructs the appointment of judges and officials in every town. Moses emphasizes the paramount importance of their integrity and impartiality, prohibiting perversion of justice, showing partiality, or taking bribes (Deut 16:19). This specific verse, "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue," serves as a concluding, emphatic directive to all who would exercise authority, and indeed, to the entire community. It reinforces that the administration of true justice is fundamental to maintaining a covenant relationship with God and for the nation to prosper in the land God is giving them. Historically and culturally, Israel was to be distinct from surrounding nations whose legal systems were often corrupt and subject to the whims of rulers or bribery; God's standard of justice was to be a direct reflection of His own character.
Deuteronomy 16 20 Word analysis
- Justice (Hebrew: צֶדֶק - Tzedek): This word is central and rich in meaning. It refers to righteousness, fairness, equity, and rectitude, aligning one's actions with God's perfect standard. It's not merely a legal term but encompasses moral, social, and religious uprightness. Tzedek signifies a right relationship, both vertically with God and horizontally with fellow human beings. It emphasizes conformity to what is right and true according to divine revelation.
- and only justice (Hebrew: צֶדֶק צֶדֶק - Tzedek Tzedek): The repetition of tzedek is a Hebrew emphatic construction. It signifies absolute, unwavering, complete, or consistent justice. It means "justice in every single instance," "nothing but justice," "justice and justice alone." This removes any ambiguity or possibility for compromise; justice is to be the sole guiding principle without exception, compromise, or dilution. It serves as a direct polemic against any judicial system or societal practice where partiality, bribery, or personal interest could distort truth and fairness.
- you shall pursue (Hebrew: תִּרְדֹּף - Tirdof): The verb "pursue" indicates an active, earnest, and diligent seeking. It implies a vigorous and relentless striving, like running after something to catch it. Justice is not to be waited upon passively or achieved effortlessly; it requires active effort, intentionality, and persistence on the part of individuals and the community. It's an imperative for diligent action against injustice.
- that you may live (Hebrew: תִּחְיֶה - Tikhyeh): This refers not merely to physical existence but to full, vibrant, and blessed life, both individually and nationally. In the context of Deuteronomy, "life" often implies flourishing, prosperity, well-being, and continued covenant blessings within the land. True justice promotes social harmony, protects the vulnerable, and fosters communal health, leading to genuine "life" in all its dimensions.
- and inherit the land (Hebrew: וְיָרַשְׁתָּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ - V'yarashta et-ha'aretz): "Inherit the land" is a foundational covenant promise to Israel. This phrase explicitly links the land—God's gracious gift and the place of Israel's national identity—to the people's adherence to justice. It's a conditional inheritance; living justly is crucial for the ongoing possession, security, and enjoyment of the promised land. It means thriving in God's gift, experiencing its full fruitfulness.
- that the LORD your God is giving you (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר ה’ אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ - Asher Yahweh Eloheykha noten lakh): This clause grounds the entire command in the context of God's covenant faithfulness and generosity. The land is a divine gift, not something earned or conquered by human might alone. The call for justice is therefore a proper response of gratitude and obedience to the Giver. It also emphasizes that the God who commands justice is the very God who provides the inheritance, binding the command to the divine character.
Deuteronomy 16 20 Bonus section
The concept of tzedek in ancient Israel encompassed more than modern legal definitions of justice; it involved restorative justice, ensuring that the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger received equitable treatment and that their rights were protected. It was about creating a righteous social order that mirrored God's own justice. This commitment to justice was a distinguishing mark of the Mosaic covenant, contrasting sharply with the often oppressive legal systems of surrounding pagan nations where the powerful typically exploited the weak. Furthermore, the imperative "you shall pursue" (tirdof) highlights that justice is not naturally occurring; it must be diligently sought and maintained against constant human inclinations toward partiality and self-interest. The entire Deuteronomic code underscores that Israel's well-being and continued possession of the land depend directly on its faithfulness to such covenant obligations, with justice being a primary expression of that faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 16 20 Commentary
Deuteronomy 16:20 provides an uncompromising mandate for absolute justice, echoing the very character of God. The emphatic doubling of "justice" (tzedek tzedek) underscores its supreme, non-negotiable status in all aspects of Israeli society—judicial, social, and ethical. It's not a suggestion but a fervent command, requiring active and persistent "pursuit," reflecting a proactive commitment to rooting out injustice. The vital connection between practicing such justice and enjoying "life" and inheriting the land reveals the holistic nature of biblical faith: spiritual obedience manifests in righteous social living, which in turn secures communal blessing and God's sustained favor in the covenant land. This verse serves as a profound statement that a society built on God's principles of justice is fundamental for true flourishing, making righteousness not an abstract ideal but a practical imperative for divine blessing and national longevity.