Deuteronomy 29 9

Deuteronomy 29:9 kjv

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

Deuteronomy 29:9 nkjv

Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 29:9 niv

Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.

Deuteronomy 29:9 esv

Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 29:9 nlt

"Therefore, obey the terms of this covenant so that you will prosper in everything you do.

Deuteronomy 29 verses

Deuteronomy 29 9 Meaning

Deuteronomy 29:9 is an exhortation to the Israelites to diligently observe and obey the terms of the covenant established with them. The verse promises that such obedience will result in success, flourishing, and well-being in all their undertakings. It signifies that true prosperity is intrinsically linked to faithfulness to God's commands, implying a holistic success that extends beyond mere material gain, encompassing spiritual and relational flourishing within God's purposes.

Deuteronomy 29 9 Context

Deuteronomy 29:9 is situated within Moses' second address to the Israelites in the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the promised land of Canaan. This specific chapter, and particularly verse 9, forms part of a solemn covenant renewal ceremony between Yahweh and His people, encompassing the generation that had grown up in the wilderness. It directly follows a historical review of God's miraculous provisions and deliverances for Israel (Deut 29:2-8), serving as the foundational rationale for their faithfulness. This context underscores that their obedience is not blind adherence but a grateful response to God's demonstrated power and faithfulness. The verse sets the stage for the warnings and curses of subsequent verses (Deut 29:14-29) should they disregard the covenant, emphasizing that their future well-being is contingent upon their continuous, active adherence to divine law, distinguishing them from the pagan nations around them whose prosperity was attributed to false deities or fate.

Deuteronomy 29 9 Word analysis

• Therefore (וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ - u-shĕmar•tem): The "Therefore" (derived from the conjunction linking it to the previous thought) signifies a logical consequence or a concluding admonition based on God's mighty acts detailed in the preceding verses. It introduces a direct command for active response.
• keep (שָׁמַר - shamár): This Hebrew word means much more than simple retention. It implies guarding, observing, preserving, watching over, attending to, and diligently carrying out. It speaks of a careful, active engagement with the covenant. This is not passive knowing but active, conscious observance.
• the words (דִּבְרֵ֣י - diḇre): Refers to "words" or "matters," signifying the commands, statutes, ordinances, and principles contained within the covenant. These are the divine utterances that carry authority and truth.
• of this covenant (הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֗את - hab·bə·rîṯ haz·zōṯ): "Covenant" (bərît) in this context denotes a binding agreement or treaty established by God with His people, ratified at Sinai and renewed in Moab. It's a foundational relationship based on divine promises and human obligations. The possessive "this" points specifically to the Moabite covenant. In Ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants often involved suzerainty (lord-vassal) treaties, where the great king (God) prescribed terms for his loyal subjects (Israel), with stated blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
• and do them (וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם - wa·‘ăśî·ṯem): This translates from the Hebrew root ‘āśāh, meaning "to do, make, accomplish, perform." It emphasizes the necessity of putting the words of the covenant into practice, not merely hearing or knowing them. Active obedience is the core requirement.
• that you may prosper (תַּשְׂכִּ֣ילוּ - tas·kî·lū): From the root śākal (שָׂכַל), which primarily means "to be wise," "to have insight," "to understand," or "to act prudently." In Hiphil stem, as here, it often carries the nuance of "to cause to prosper," "to make successful," "to have good success," or "to act wisely and so prosper." The connection between wisdom and prosperity is direct here: true success is born out of acting with divine insight and according to God's ways. It's a holistic well-being, encompassing material, spiritual, and communal flourishing.
• in all that you do (בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁ֖ר תַּעֲשֽׂוּן - bə·ḵōl ’ă·šer ta·‘ă·śūn): This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness and totality of the blessing. It is not limited to specific endeavors but extends to every aspect of their lives and work, encompassing all their undertakings, from agricultural pursuits to national defense and spiritual practices.

• "keep... and do them": This grouping highlights the dual nature of faithful living – an internal attentiveness (keep/guard) and an external enactment (do/perform). It underscores that intellectual assent is insufficient; genuine faith involves both comprehension and commitment.
• "words of this covenant": Defines the object of their keeping and doing – God's specific, binding agreement, not human traditions or whims. It points to the foundational nature of the Mosaic Law as the framework for Israel's relationship with God. This was polemic against pagan polytheism which relied on appeasing multiple deities with varying, often arbitrary, demands; here, a singular God, Yahweh, gives a clear, singular covenant.
• "that you may prosper in all that you do": Establishes the divine promise and motivation. It links divine action (God causing prosperity) to human responsibility (obedience). This "prosperity" (śākal) is not a "health and wealth gospel" in a modern sense but is profoundly connected to wisdom and righteous living within the covenant. It implies successful outcomes because God's wise path is the pathway to flourishing. The "all that you do" further underscores that God's blessing permeates every aspect of a life lived in accordance with His will, from personal conduct to national destiny, signifying a comprehensive flourishing under divine favor.

Deuteronomy 29 9 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "keep and do" implies a deep-seated intention and active outward expression. It's a whole-person commitment that echoes the "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might" (Deut 6:5).
• The Hebrew root śākal (to prosper/act wisely) being used instead of just a generic word for material prosperity highlights that divine success is inherently tied to divine wisdom. When one walks in God's ways, they are walking wisely, and such wise living naturally leads to a form of success within God's ordered world.
• This verse can be seen as a summary of the Deuteronomic theology, where faithfulness leads to blessing and unfaithfulness to curse. It prefaces the choice that Israel faces (ch. 30), a choice between life and death, blessing and curse, directly linked to their adherence to the covenant.

Deuteronomy 29 9 Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:9 encapsulates a fundamental principle of biblical truth: divine blessings, particularly prosperity and success, are conditional upon faithful obedience to God's covenant. This verse is not a simple quid pro quo for material gain, but rather it conveys that true and lasting flourishing – be it in national identity, agricultural yields, or personal well-being – stems from aligning one's actions with God's revealed will. The 'keeping' (preserving and watching over) of the covenant 'words' (commands) must translate into 'doing' (active implementation) for God's wisdom (śākal) to guide and grant success in 'all' aspects of life. It’s an holistic and relational prosperity, wherein walking wisely with God inevitably leads to success in His eyes, which then impacts tangible outcomes. It emphasizes that reliance on God through His revealed commands is the sure path to genuine well-being, distinct from human self-sufficiency or pagan superstitions.