Deuteronomy 28:9 kjv
The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Deuteronomy 28:9 nkjv
"The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.
Deuteronomy 28:9 niv
The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.
Deuteronomy 28:9 esv
The LORD will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.
Deuteronomy 28:9 nlt
"If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways, the LORD will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do.
Deuteronomy 28 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 19:5-6 | "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice... you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." | God's initial promise of a holy nation, conditional on obedience. |
| Lev 20:26 | "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you..." | God's call to holiness as separation for Himself. |
| Num 23:9 | "...behold, a people dwelling alone, and not counting itself among the nations." | Israel's distinct, set-apart identity among nations. |
| Deut 7:6 | "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you..." | Reiteration of Israel's chosen and holy status. |
| Deut 10:12 | "...to walk in all his ways and to love him, to serve the LORD your God..." | Emphasis on walking in God's ways as central to devotion. |
| Deut 11:13 | "And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today..." | Direct connection between obedience and blessings. |
| Deut 30:16 | "...if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, by walking in his ways..." | Blessings for obedience, including walking in His ways. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... so you will make your way prosperous..." | Success contingent on keeping God's commands. |
| 2 Sam 7:24 | "And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever." | God's action in establishing Israel permanently as His people. |
| Psa 1:1-2 | "Blessed is the man... but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." | Blessings for those who delight in and follow God's law. |
| Psa 89:3-4 | "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant..." | God's covenant established by oath. |
| Psa 105:8-10 | "He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded for a thousand generations..." | God's eternal remembrance of His covenant and oath. |
| Psa 119:1-2 | "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies..." | Blessings tied to keeping God's testimonies and walking blamelessly. |
| Jer 31:31-33 | "Behold, the days are coming... when I will make a new covenant... I will put my law within them..." | New Covenant establishing a people through internal obedience. |
| Ezek 37:26-27 | "I will make a covenant of peace with them... I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set my sanctuary in their midst forever." | God establishing and dwelling among His people permanently. |
| Amos 3:2 | "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." | God's special relationship implying higher responsibility. |
| Lk 1:73-75 | "...the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness..." | The Abrahamic oath fulfilled to serve God in holiness. |
| Rom 2:13 | "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." | Emphasis on doing/obeying the law for righteousness. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | The Church as the spiritual fulfillment of the "holy nation." |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | The New Testament emphasis on active obedience to the Word. |
| 1 Jn 2:6 | "whoever says he abides in him ought to walk as he walked." | Christian life as walking in Christ's ways. |
| Rev 22:14 | "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life..." | Blessings for those who obey in the final kingdom. |
Deuteronomy 28 verses
Deuteronomy 28 9 Meaning
Deuteronomy 28:9 presents a divine promise from the Lord to the people of Israel, conditional upon their obedience. God commits to confirming and sustaining them as a people set apart for His exclusive ownership and service, thereby fulfilling the solemn oath He made to their forefathers. This unique status, a direct result of God's covenant faithfulness, is contingent upon their diligent observance of His commands and a consistent life reflecting His righteous character.
Deuteronomy 28 9 Context
Deuteronomy 28:9 is part of the extensive covenant stipulations presented by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter functions as the centerpiece of the covenant re-enactment, laying out in stark detail the blessings (vv. 1-14) that will follow obedience to the Mosaic Law and the curses (vv. 15-68) that will result from disobedience. Verse 9 is found within the blessings section, specifically highlighting the establishment of Israel's unique status among nations. Historically, Israel was distinct in its monotheistic worship of Yahweh, their God, who demanded exclusive loyalty, contrasting sharply with the polytheistic and idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations. The covenant's design, including this verse, sets Israel apart as a special people accountable directly to their holy God.
Deuteronomy 28 9 Word analysis
- The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenant God of Israel. It highlights His unique relationship with Israel and His steadfast character in initiating and fulfilling promises. This divine name emphasizes His absolute authority and power.
- will establish (יְקִימְךָ - yekimekha): Derived from the Hebrew verb קוּם (qum), meaning "to rise," "to confirm," "to stand firm," or "to fulfill." This signifies God's active, sovereign work in solidifying Israel's status. It implies permanence and divine surety, not merely a wish or possibility but a definitive divine act.
- you: Refers corporately to the nation of Israel as a whole, indicating their collective identity and destiny under the covenant.
- as a holy people (לְעַם קָדוֹשׁ - le'am qadosh):
- people (עַם - am): A distinct group or nation.
- holy (קָדוֹשׁ - qadosh): Set apart, consecrated, dedicated for sacred use or divine purpose. In this context, it does not primarily mean sinless perfection, but rather a status of being ritually and morally distinct, devoted exclusively to God, contrasting them with other nations and their gods. This holiness is derived from God’s own nature and His choice.
- to himself (לוֹ - lo): This phrase underscores divine ownership and the exclusive purpose of Israel's holiness. Their consecrated status is ultimately for God's glory and relationship, not merely for their own benefit or national prestige.
- as he swore (כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע - ka'asher nishba): From the verb שָׁבַע (shaba), "to swear an oath." This highlights the unbreakable, legally binding nature of God's promise. It connects the present Mosaic Covenant directly to the foundational, unconditional Abrahamic Covenant, where God promised to make Abraham a great nation (Gen 22:16-18, 26:3, 35:12).
- to you: Again, emphasizing the direct address to Israel as the recipient of the covenant promises.
- if you keep (כִּי תִשְׁמֹר - ki tishmor): From the verb שָׁמַר (shamar), "to watch," "to guard," "to observe diligently," "to preserve." This introduces the critical conditional element. It implies active, mindful, and continuous adherence to the commandments. It’s not just passive knowledge but active obedience.
- the commandments (מִצְוֺת - mitzvot): From מִצְוָה (mitzvah), meaning "commandment" or "precept." Refers to the specific laws and ordinances given by God through Moses.
- of the Lord your God: Reinforces the divine origin and authority of these commands, rooted in the personal relationship "your God" implies.
- and walk in his ways (וְהָלַכְתָּ בִּדְרָכָיו - vehālaktā bīdrakāw):
- walk (הָלַךְ - halak): Figuratively means "to live," "to conduct oneself," or "to pursue a course of life." This signifies more than mere legalistic adherence to rules; it implies a lifestyle, a pattern of behavior that reflects God's character and principles.
- in his ways: Refers to God's standards of righteousness, justice, and faithfulness, as revealed in His character and Law. It encapsulates comprehensive moral and ethical conduct in all aspects of life.
Deuteronomy 28 9 Bonus section
- The tension between God's unconditional oath (to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the conditional aspect of the Mosaic covenant (obeying His commandments) is evident here. While God's ultimate purpose for Israel remains firm due to His oath, the experience of the promised blessings and the maintenance of their holy status were indeed conditional upon their present obedience.
- The concept of a "holy people" foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the Church, also called a "holy nation" and "a people for his own possession" (1 Pet 2:9). This new people is made holy not by the keeping of the Mosaic Law, but by faith in Christ's atoning work, leading to Spirit-empowered obedience and walking in His ways.
- This verse undergirds the Deuteronomic principle of cause and effect: covenant blessings flow directly from covenant obedience. It reveals the consistent moral structure of God's interaction with His people.
Deuteronomy 28 9 Commentary
Deuteronomy 28:9 articulates the profound truth that Israel's distinctiveness and privileged status as "a holy people" rested not upon inherent qualities but solely upon God's gracious choice and His sworn covenant. This divine establishment of their unique identity was a promised blessing. Crucially, this promise was not unconditional in its experience but hinged on their continued faithfulness. The condition, "if you keep the commandments... and walk in his ways," emphasizes that genuine obedience extends beyond mere ritual or legal adherence; it demands a comprehensive way of life congruent with God's revealed will and character. This foundational principle teaches that God's blessings in a covenant relationship are intimately linked to responsive human conduct. For Israel, this meant that their very national existence and prosperity were tied to their loyalty to YHWH, their one true God, separating them from the nations around them whose security depended on human power or capricious deities.