Deuteronomy 6:17 kjv
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Deuteronomy 6:17 nkjv
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you.
Deuteronomy 6:17 niv
Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.
Deuteronomy 6:17 esv
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
Deuteronomy 6:17 nlt
You must diligently obey the commands of the LORD your God ? all the laws and decrees he has given you.
Deuteronomy 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:6 | "Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding..." | Obedience brings wisdom and understanding. |
| Deut 5:32-33 | "You shall be careful to do therefore as the LORD your God has commanded you..." | Exhortation to careful and complete obedience. |
| Deut 6:4-6 | "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD... These words... shall be on your heart." | Context of loving God wholly and internalizing His commands. |
| Deut 7:12 | "Because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them..." | Blessing is conditional on diligent obedience. |
| Deut 10:12-13 | "...to walk in all His ways and to love Him... to keep the commandments..." | Summarizes God's expectation for Israel. |
| Deut 11:1-2 | "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep His charge..." | Love for God manifested in keeping His commands. |
| Jos 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law..." | Importance of meditating on and obeying the law for success. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying..." | Obedience prioritized over ritual observance. |
| Psa 1:2 | "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." | A righteous person delights in and studies God's law. |
| Psa 119:4 | "You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently." | Affirmation of God's command for diligence. |
| Prov 3:1-2 | "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments... they shall add years to life." | Benefits of long life and peace through obedience. |
| Jer 7:23 | "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice..." | God's desire for His people to obey His voice. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | "Every one therefore that hears these words of Mine, and does them, shall be likened..." | Wise builder analogy; acting on Jesus' words is vital. |
| Matt 22:37-40 | "You shall love the Lord your God... You shall love your neighbor as yourself." | Summation of the Law: Love God, love neighbor, expressed in obedience. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | New Testament link between love for Christ and obedience. |
| Jn 15:10 | "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." | Abiding in Christ's love is connected to keeping His commands. |
| Rom 2:13 | "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law..." | Justification comes through doing the law, not just hearing. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | Exhortation to active obedience, avoiding self-deception. |
| 1 Jn 2:3-4 | "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments..." | Knowledge of God evidenced by obedience. |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." | Love for God expressed through keeping commands, which are not difficult for the faithful. |
| Rev 22:14 | "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life..." | Obedience leading to eternal blessings in the New Heavens and Earth. |
Deuteronomy 6 verses
Deuteronomy 6 17 Meaning
Deuteronomy 6:17 instructs the people of Israel to diligently and carefully observe the commandments, testimonies, and statutes of the LORD their God. This verse underscores the paramount importance of comprehensive and active obedience to God's divine instructions, portraying it not as a burdensome task but as a foundational requirement for their well-being and covenant relationship with God in the Promised Land. It emphasizes a thorough, attentive, and vigilant adherence to all aspects of God's revealed will.
Deuteronomy 6 17 Context
Deuteronomy 6:17 is embedded within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, delivered just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter immediately follows the retelling of the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5) and directly succeeds the pivotal declaration known as the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), which calls for exclusive love for the LORD God with all one's being. The broader context of Deuteronomy 6:10-19 warns Israel against forgetting God when they enter the prosperity of the land, specifically admonishing them not to put God to the test as they did at Massah (Deuteronomy 6:16). Therefore, verse 17 is a crucial exhortation to faithful obedience and covenant loyalty as a preventative measure against apostasy and a foundation for national well-being and continued divine favor in the land. Historically, the audience consisted of the new generation who would face the temptations of foreign gods and practices in Canaan.
Deuteronomy 6 17 Word analysis
- You (implied subject, וְשָׁמַרְתֶּם – v'shamartem): The second person plural verb emphasizes a corporate responsibility for the nation of Israel as a whole. This is a command to the entire covenant community, not just individuals. It signifies that Israel’s success and standing before God depended on collective obedience.
- shall diligently keep (שָׁמַרְתֶּם – shāmartem): This Hebrew verb root shāmar means to guard, watch, preserve, observe, or take heed. The repetition inherent in "diligently keep" in many translations captures the force of the Hebrew Perfect verb which emphasizes thoroughness or completion of the action. It implies a watchful, active, and persistent adherence. It is more than just performing an act; it is safeguarding, preserving, and paying close attention to God's commands. It denotes careful attentiveness and unwavering loyalty, an internal commitment that translates into consistent action.
- the commandments (מִצְוֹת – mitzvot): Refers to the specific divine injunctions or laws given by God, encompassing the ethical, moral, and cultic directives. These are authoritative dictates that define right living and relationship with God. They form the core stipulations of the Mosaic covenant.
- of the LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, unchanging, and redemptive character. This emphasizes that the source of the commandments is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, highlighting His authority and unique relationship with His people.
- your God (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – 'eloheikhem): This phrase reinforces the personal and communal relationship God has established with Israel. He is their God, the one who chose them, delivered them from Egypt, and entered into covenant with them. It underscores His singular claim over their lives and loyalty.
- and His testimonies (וְעֵדֹתָיו – v'edōtāv): From the root 'ed, meaning witness. These are stipulations, decrees, or statutes that serve as a memorial or witness to God’s character, actions (especially in redemption), or covenantal agreements. They bear witness to His truth and justice, often connected to events where God demonstrated His power or revealed His will.
- and His statutes (וְחֻקֹּתָיו – v'khuqōtāv): From the root chaqaq, meaning to inscribe, decree, or establish. These refer to divine ordinances, fixed and binding laws, often including ritual, cultic, or societal regulations that were established as divine decrees. They are fundamental, unchanging decrees set forth by God, forming the established order for their worship and daily life.
Deuteronomy 6 17 Bonus section
The collective nature of "You shall diligently keep" means that disobedience by any member or group within Israel could impact the well-being of the entire nation, emphasizing the importance of corporate faithfulness. This concept of shared responsibility is seen repeatedly in Israel's history, where the sins of a few (e.g., Achan in Josh 7) had consequences for the whole community. The diligence demanded here goes beyond mere outward conformity; it requires an inward disposition of the heart, reflecting genuine love and fear of God, as emphasized in the verses immediately preceding and following Deuteronomy 6:17. This holistic understanding of "keeping" distinguishes biblical obedience from a simple rule-following, pointing to a vibrant relationship where obedience flows from a spirit of love and reverence. The three categories of God's instruction (commandments, testimonies, statutes) imply that God’s will is comprehensively revealed, addressing moral behavior, covenantal loyalty based on His mighty acts, and the orderly conduct of society and worship. This reinforces that all areas of life fall under divine jurisdiction.
Deuteronomy 6 17 Commentary
Deuteronomy 6:17 presents a clear and non-negotiable directive for Israel: "You shall diligently keep the commandments, testimonies, and statutes of the LORD your God." This command is foundational, building upon the Shema (Deut 6:4-5), which established a holistic love for God. Obedience is presented as the tangible expression of this profound love and allegiance. The emphasis on "diligently keep" (a robust and enduring Hebrew term) signifies not just occasional adherence, but a constant, vigilant guarding and performance of God's commands. It calls for meticulous attention to detail and a commitment that permeates every aspect of life.
By specifying "commandments, testimonies, and statutes," Moses reiterates the comprehensive scope of God's demands. These terms, while sometimes overlapping, generally distinguish between moral injunctions (commandments), divine decrees stemming from God's acts or declarations (testimonies), and fixed ordinances for civil or cultic life (statutes). Together, they represent the full corpus of God's revealed will. The motivation for such diligent keeping is rooted in God's identity: "the LORD your God." He is not just a distant deity, but the covenant God who actively engaged with them, redeemed them, and gave them this land. Obedience, therefore, becomes the ongoing acknowledgment of His Lordship and their unique relationship with Him.
Practically, this verse implies a life lived intentionally in reference to God's will. For the individual, it means cultivating a heart eager to discern and obey His Word. For the community, it entails establishing social structures and practices that reflect God's justice and holiness. This diligent obedience secures blessing and prosperity in the land, illustrating the principle that genuine faith is expressed through tangible actions, safeguarding the divine relationship from external pressures and internal forgetfulness.