Deuteronomy 30:20 kjv
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Deuteronomy 30:20 nkjv
that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
Deuteronomy 30:20 niv
and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20 esv
loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Deuteronomy 30:20 nlt
You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Deuteronomy 30 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 6:5 | "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." | Great Commandment of love for God. |
| Matt 22:37-38 | "‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment." | Jesus affirming love for God as supreme. |
| 1 Jn 4:8 | "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." | God's nature is love; love as knowing Him. |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." | Love expressed through obedience. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." | Obedience prioritized over ritual. |
| Ps 119:34 | "Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart." | Desire for understanding leading to wholehearted obedience. |
| Jer 7:23 | "But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people...’" | Foundation of covenant: obey and be His people. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | New Testament parallel: love expressed by obedience. |
| Josh 23:8 | "but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day." | Joshua's admonition to "hold fast" God. |
| Acts 11:23 | "...and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." | Encouragement to remain "holding fast" to the Lord. |
| Rom 12:9 | "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." | Hold fast to righteousness. |
| Deut 4:1 | "And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live..." | Obedience leads to life. |
| Prov 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's teaching brings longevity. |
| Jn 10:10 | "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." | Christ offers abundant life. |
| Gen 12:7 | "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.'" | God's initial promise of land to Abraham. |
| Ps 37:29 | "The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever." | Land as an enduring blessing for the righteous. |
| Heb 4:1-11 | Refers to the promise of "rest" for God's people, analogous to the promised land. | Spiritual rest and inheritance in Christ. |
| Gen 17:7 | "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant..." | God's everlasting covenant with Abraham and descendants. |
| Luke 1:72-73 | "...to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham..." | Fulfillment of the covenant sworn to forefathers. |
| Deut 30:19 | "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life..." | The ultimate choice presented by Moses. |
| Jas 4:8 | "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..." | Drawing near to God ("holding fast") brings intimacy. |
Deuteronomy 30 verses
Deuteronomy 30 20 Meaning
Deuteronomy 30:20 articulates the profound relationship between the people of Israel and the LORD. It reveals that to "love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and hold fast to him" is the pathway to true life, longevity, and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, specifically the inheritance of the land sworn to their forefathers. This verse presents a climactic summary of the covenant blessings conditional upon loyal devotion and active obedience. It emphasizes that a vibrant, enduring life—both physical and spiritual—is inextricably linked to an intimate, obedient relationship with the Creator.
Deuteronomy 30 20 Context
Deuteronomy 30:20 is found at the conclusion of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter, particularly verses 15-20, serves as a powerful summary and culmination of the covenant established between God and Israel. Moses presents the nation with a clear, stark choice between "life and prosperity, or death and destruction" (Deut 30:15). This is not merely a legalistic option but an existential choice of relationship and destiny. Verse 20 functions as the ultimate declaration of what choosing "life" entails: not just avoiding punishment, but actively cultivating an intimate, devoted relationship with the LORD through love, obedience, and faithfulness. It highlights the divine logic: aligning one's life with God's will guarantees His blessings and the fulfillment of His ancient promises, especially regarding the land which symbolizes covenant rest and abundance.
Deuteronomy 30 20 Word analysis
loving the LORD your God (אֹהַב אֶת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - ʾohav ʾet YHWH ʾeloheikha):
- loving (ʾahav, אָהַב): In a covenantal context, this signifies more than just emotion. It denotes loyalty, devotion, allegiance, and a commitment to action. It is a decision of the will, expressed through obedience and exclusive fidelity, similar to love between husband and wife or subject and king. This love is exclusive, demanding the complete abandonment of all other allegiances.
obeying his voice (לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקֹלֹו - lishmōaʿ bəqōlōw):
- obeying (shamaʿ, שָׁמַע): This is a pivotal Hebrew word that means "to hear" with the nuance of "to understand and obey." It implies attentive listening, internalizing, and then actively responding in accordance with what is heard. It’s not passive hearing, but responsive compliance. This "voice" is God's revealed will and commands.
and holding fast to him (וּלְדָבְקָה בוֹ - wulədāḇəqāh ḇō):
- holding fast (dabaq, דָּבַק): This verb conveys a very strong sense of clinging, cleaving, adhering, or joining oneself intimately. It implies unswerving loyalty, inseparable attachment, and resolute commitment, much like a glue or marital bond (Gen 2:24). It speaks to an unyielding faithfulness in a personal relationship.
for this is your life (כִּי הִוא חַיֶּיךָ - kî hiʾ ḥayyekha):
- life (chayyim, חַיִּים): Not merely physical existence, but full, flourishing, abundant life—blessed by God with well-being, peace, prosperity, and security. It encompasses all aspects of existence: physical, emotional, spiritual.
and the length of your days (וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ - wəʾōrekh yāmekha):
- length of days (ʾorekh yamim, אֹרֶךְ יָמִים): Longevity and a full lifespan are seen as specific blessings for covenant fidelity in the Old Testament. It signifies the enjoyment of a long and prosperous existence, often linked to remaining in the Promised Land.
that you may dwell in the land (לָשֶׁבֶת עַל הָאֲדָמָה - lāsheḇet ʿal hāʾădāmāh):
- land (ʾeretz, אֶרֶץ/אֲדָמָה): Refers to the physical land of Canaan promised by God. However, in its broader biblical sense, it represents the place of divine blessing, security, and the inheritance God provides for His people. It signifies the fulfillment of His covenant promises of rest and provision.
Words-group Analysis:
- "loving the LORD...obeying his voice...and holding fast to him": This triadic expression represents the comprehensive and holistic nature of Israel's expected covenant loyalty. "Loving" speaks to the inward affection and choice; "obeying" speaks to the outward demonstration of that affection through action; and "holding fast" speaks to the persistent, enduring faithfulness in relationship. Together, they describe complete devotion of heart, mind, and action.
- "for this is your life and the length of your days": This clause reveals the immediate and profound consequence of the triadic devotion. The very essence and quality of their existence, and its duration, are directly tied to their relationship with God. It's not just a way to live, but the way to truly live and thrive. This demonstrates God's character as a Life-giver.
- "that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers": This links their present obedience to the foundational, historical covenant promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). The promised land, a symbol of divine faithfulness and blessing, is attainable and sustainable through continued covenant loyalty. This is the practical, tangible outworking of the relationship for the community.
Deuteronomy 30 20 Bonus section
The call to "love, obey, and hold fast" echoes throughout the entire biblical narrative, showing up in the teachings of the prophets, the wisdom literature, and supremely in the New Testament. In the Christian understanding, this devotion to God finds its perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He fulfilled the Law through perfect love, obedience to the Father's voice, and unwavering commitment, thus opening the way for believers to truly live and enter into God's ultimate rest, the heavenly "land." The Holy Spirit empowers believers to exhibit this "dabaq" (holding fast) to God, enabling a new covenant faithfulness. This verse moves beyond mere ethics; it describes the very nature of true worship and authentic existence with God as its source. It underlines that our deepest satisfaction and security are found in being wholly attached to our Creator.
Deuteronomy 30 20 Commentary
Deuteronomy 30:20 provides the climax of Moses' urgent plea for covenant faithfulness, encapsulating the entire book's theology in one powerful statement. It's not a mere formula for success, but a profound declaration of relational truth: life—true, flourishing, blessed existence—flows from an intimate and active relationship with God. "Loving," "obeying," and "holding fast" describe a complete commitment: the inner devotion of the heart, the outward expression through faithful actions, and the continuous, tenacious adherence to Him amidst all challenges. This holistic devotion ensures not just physical longevity but an abundant, qualitative life, securing the covenant promise of dwelling in the land—a promise that echoes into the New Testament's understanding of spiritual inheritance and heavenly rest. The verse powerfully demonstrates that God’s commandments are not burdens but channels of blessing, inviting humanity into His very life.Example: A person facing a challenging decision can choose to love God by seeking His word (obeying His voice) and committing fully to His will (holding fast to Him), finding life and direction rather than succumbing to fear or worldly pressures.