Deuteronomy 4 40

Deuteronomy 4:40 kjv

Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

Deuteronomy 4:40 nkjv

You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time."

Deuteronomy 4:40 niv

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

Deuteronomy 4:40 esv

Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time."

Deuteronomy 4:40 nlt

If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time."

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 40 Meaning

Deuteronomy 4:40 articulates the profound link between Israel's obedient adherence to God's commands and their tangible well-being. It presents a divine covenant principle: fidelity to the Lord's instructions ensures not only personal prosperity and a long life, but also extends blessings to their descendants, allowing them to permanently inhabit the land Yahweh graciously promised them. This verse underscores the conditional nature of the covenant concerning dwelling in the Promised Land, emphasizing that Israel's continued flourishing there depended directly on their corporate obedience.

Deuteronomy 4 40 Context

Deuteronomy 4:40 is nestled within Moses' grand exhortation to the generation poised to enter the Promised Land. The immediate context, chapter 4, serves as a powerful reminder of God's uniqueness and His specific covenant with Israel, particularly highlighting the event at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses urges Israel to remember the past — God's powerful deliverance and their rebellion — as a catalyst for future obedience. He emphasizes that Israel's obedience to God's statutes and judgments will be a witness to the surrounding nations of their singular wisdom and the greatness of their God. The verse functions as a concluding summary, presenting the positive outcome of adherence to the comprehensive laws previously outlined and about to be detailed further. Broader, Deuteronomy itself is a covenant renewal document delivered on the plains of Moab. It recounts Israel's history, reiterates the Law, and sets forth blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, making the continued enjoyment of the Land a central, conditional promise of the covenant.

Deuteronomy 4 40 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְעַל-כֵּן, ve'al-ken): This conjunction signals a logical consequence. It points back to Moses' prior discourse on God's singular power, His unique choice of Israel among nations, and the incomparable revelation at Sinai, all compelling a response of loyal obedience.
• you shall keep (תִּשְׁמֹר, tishmor): From the Hebrew root shamar (שׁמר), meaning "to guard," "observe," "preserve," or "take heed." It denotes a diligent, active, and careful adherence, suggesting responsibility in safeguarding and applying the divine commands.
• His statutes (חֻקֹּתָיו, huqqotav): From ḥoq (חֹק), referring to fixed decrees, ordinances, or established principles often foundational to the covenant or related to religious rituals and social order. They are God's prescribed ways.
• and His commandments (וּמִצְוֹתָיו, u'mitzvotav): From mitzvah (מִצְוָה), indicating specific precepts, injunctions, or instructions. Together with "statutes," these terms comprehensively describe the entire body of divine law given by God.
• which I command you today (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, asher anokhi metzavveka hayyom): "Today" (hayyom) emphasizes the present and urgent relevance for the listening generation, urging them to make a current, active commitment. The phrase "I command you" uses an authoritative voice from God, channeled through Moses.
• that it may go well with you (לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָךְ, lema'an yitav lakh): The verb yatav (יטב) means "to be good," "to be well," "to prosper." This signifies holistic well-being, encompassing flourishing in all aspects of life—material, physical, and relational.
• and with your children after you (וּלְבָנֶיךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ, ul'vaneykha acharekha): This explicitly highlights the intergenerational impact of obedience. The blessings are not confined to the current generation but extend corporately to their descendants, emphasizing Israel's identity as a multi-generational covenant community.
• and that you may prolong your days (וּלְמַעַן תַּאֲרִיךְ יָמִים, ulma'an ta'arikh yamim): Literally "that you may lengthen days." This promise speaks to longevity and secure, extended tenure within the promised territory. It signifies enduring existence and national stability.
• in the land (עַל-הָאֲדָמָה, al-ha'adamah): Refers specifically to the Promised Land, Canaan, the divinely allotted inheritance, central to Israel's covenant identity and blessings.
• which the LORD your God is giving you (אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ, asher YHWH Eloheyka noten lekha): The verb natan (נָתַן), "to give," emphasizes that the Land is a gracious gift from Yahweh, highlighting His divine benevolence and their covenant relationship as "the LORD your God."
• for all time (כָּל-הַיָּמִים, kol-hayyamim): Literally "all the days." This indicates perpetual possession and security as long as Israel maintains their covenant fidelity, implying a lasting tenure.

Words-group analysis:

• "His statutes and His commandments": This comprehensive pairing encompasses the entirety of God's revealed law. It signifies that Israel's obedience must be holistic, embracing both foundational decrees and specific moral, ethical, and ritual instructions for their covenant life. This comprehensive nature reinforces the exclusivity of their devotion to YHWH alone.
• "that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land": This triad of benefits encapsulates the promised well-being. It details personal prosperity, generational blessing, and sustained, secure residence in the covenant land, presenting a full picture of the holistic flourishing that results from covenant faithfulness. It underscores that disobedience would have catastrophic, reverse effects on all three dimensions.
• "the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time": This phrase clearly defines the "land" not as mere territory, but as a specific, divinely granted gift from Yahweh, emphasizing its gracious provision. The descriptor "for all time" highlights the intended perpetual security of their dwelling, though explicitly contingent on their continuous obedience to their covenant-keeping God. This contrasts with ancient pagan beliefs that tenure in land depended on propitiating capricious gods.

Deuteronomy 4 40 Bonus section

• The Land as an Expression of God's Blessing: In Deuteronomy, the "land" (Hebrew: hāʾāreṣ or hāʾădāmāh) transcends mere physical territory. It embodies the full scope of covenant blessing, serving as the setting where Israel could fully realize God's purposes for them—a type of Edenic restored blessing. Continued occupation symbolized God's pleasure and favor upon His people.
• Corporate and Individual Application: While Moses addresses the entire nation of Israel corporately, the phrasing "with you" (singular) indicates that each individual's choices and obedience contribute to the overall national destiny. Individual faithfulness reinforces the corporate covenant, impacting both immediate and future generations' enjoyment of God's promised provisions.
• Implicit Polemic against Canaanite Practices: This verse implicitly opposes the religious practices of the Canaanites, who believed their prosperity and tenure in the land depended on appeasing a pantheon of gods through cultic acts, sometimes involving immorality or human sacrifice. Deuteronomy posits that true flourishing comes solely through singular devotion and obedience to YHWH, the sovereign Creator God.
• Spiritualized Fulfillment in the New Covenant: While rooted in an earthly covenant and a literal land, the principles of Deuteronomy 4:40 find resonance and spiritual fulfillment in the New Covenant. Believers, not under the Law for salvation, are nonetheless called to obedience to Christ's commands out of love (Jn 14:15), through the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:4). This obedience, while not earning salvation, contributes to a rich spiritual life, blessings, and assurance of an eternal inheritance in the "heavenly country" (Heb 11:16) or "new heavens and new earth" (2 Pet 3:13).
• Distinction from the Abrahamic Covenant: It's crucial to understand that the Abrahamic covenant's promise of the land to Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:7; 15:18) was unconditional and everlasting. However, the possession and peaceful dwelling of Israel within that land under the Mosaic covenant, as articulated in Deuteronomy 4:40, was explicitly conditional upon their faithfulness to YHWH's Law. This explains Israel's exiles as a consequence of disobedience, yet the ultimate promise of the land itself endures.

Deuteronomy 4 40 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:40 articulates the quintessential Deuteronomic principle: obedience to YHWH’s covenant commands is the sole path to national flourishing and secure dwelling in the Promised Land. This verse isn't about salvation by works, but about living out the covenant relationship for those already chosen and redeemed by God's grace. It frames the comprehensive body of God’s law—His statutes and commandments—as pathways to life, not burdens. The blessings are holistic and tangible: personal well-being (that it may go well with you), generational continuity and prosperity (and with your children after you), and enduring security within their sacred inheritance (that you may prolong your days in the land). This last point underscores the conditional nature of their continued residency in the Land. While the Land was an unconditional gift to Abraham’s descendants, their peaceful and lasting tenure in it was entirely dependent upon their covenant faithfulness. This principle served as a stark warning and a vital incentive for Israel to remain exclusively devoted to YHWH, rejecting the idolatry and immoral practices of the surrounding nations, thereby solidifying their unique identity as God's treasured possession.

Examples:

• A family consistently commits to a shared spiritual practice (e.g., daily Bible reading, prayer) and experiences deeper peace and relational strength across generations.
• An individual making ethical choices in their professional life, guided by Christian principles, finds unexpected favor and stability in their career trajectory.
• A church congregation prioritizes faithful adherence to biblical teachings, resulting in a thriving community, robust discipleship, and a sustained witness in its location.