Deuteronomy 6:18 kjv
And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers.
Deuteronomy 6:18 nkjv
And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers,
Deuteronomy 6:18 niv
Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors,
Deuteronomy 6:18 esv
And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers
Deuteronomy 6:18 nlt
Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the LORD swore to give your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 6 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:40 | Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His commandments... that it may go well with you... for good. | Obedience brings lasting well-being |
| Deut 5:16 | Honor your father and your mother... that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you. | Specific command leading to general good |
| Deut 6:3 | ...and that it may go well with you... as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. | Promises tied to the general good |
| Deut 12:28 | Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you... for good. | Emphasizes obedience to all commands |
| Deut 13:18 | ...if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep all His commandments... doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD. | Direct link to "right in the eyes of the Lord" |
| Deut 21:9 | So you shall remove the guilt of innocent blood... by doing what is right in the sight of the LORD. | Example of specific "right" action |
| Deut 28:1-14 | Blessings for obedience... you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. | Comprehensive blessings for obedience |
| Lev 26:3-13 | If you walk in My statutes... then I will give you rains... plenty... dwell securely. | Covenant blessings for walking in statutes |
| Josh 1:6 | Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law... that you may inherit the land. | Joshua's commission to obey for land |
| Psa 19:8 | The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. | God's word defines what is "right" |
| Prov 2:7-8 | He stores up sound wisdom for the upright... for He guards the paths of justice and preserves the way of His saints. | Wisdom guiding the upright |
| Prov 21:3 | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | Right action over ritual |
| Isa 3:10 | Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. | Direct correlation to well-being for righteous |
| Jer 7:23 | ...Obey My voice, and I will be your God... that it may be well with you. | Core requirement for divine relationship |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? | Summary of God's core requirement |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them... will be like a wise man. | New Testament emphasis on doing God's word |
| Lk 11:28 | But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | NT blessing for hearing and keeping |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. | God working for the ultimate good |
| Rom 12:2 | And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Discerning and doing God's good will |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... that we should walk in them. | Created for good works in Christ |
| Col 3:10 | ...and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. | Transformation to reflect God's image, doing good |
| Heb 11:8-10, 39-40 | By faith Abraham obeyed... waiting for the city which has foundations... received a good testimony... | Faith leading to obedience and inheritance |
Deuteronomy 6 verses
Deuteronomy 6 18 Meaning
Deuteronomy 6:18 instructs Israel to actively perform what is inherently upright and beneficial in the Lord's estimation. This obedience ensures their holistic well-being and continued prosperity, enabling them to enter and inhabit the good land promised by God to their forefathers through an oath. It underscores the vital link between ethical conduct, divine favor, and covenant fulfillment.
Deuteronomy 6 18 Context
Deuteronomy 6:18 stands within the broader discourse of Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter immediately follows the foundational "Shema" (Deut 6:4-9), which calls for exclusive love and loyalty to the one God, YHWH. The surrounding verses emphasize diligent teaching of God's commands, remembering His mighty acts, and establishing these truths within their hearts and homes. The instruction to do "right and good" thus functions as a practical application and consequence of this absolute monotheism and covenant devotion. It is presented as a condition for retaining the blessings and promises of the Mosaic covenant, specifically the continued possession and flourishing within the good land which God swore to their ancestors. This mandate serves as a clear counter-narrative to the idolatrous and immoral practices prevalent in the surrounding Canaanite cultures, where well-being was attributed to capricious deities or human ritual rather than righteous obedience to the one true God.
Deuteronomy 6 18 Word analysis
- And you shall do: This opening phrase emphasizes action and imperative. It is not enough to simply know or believe; there must be active performance and adherence to the divine standard. The verb 'do' (עָשָׂה, asah) signifies accomplishment and carrying out.
- what is right (יָשָׁר, yashar): Derived from a root meaning "to be straight" or "to be upright." This term denotes moral rectitude, fairness, and justice, aligning actions with God's perfect standard of what is correct and true. It implies integrity, equity, and a course of conduct that is not twisted or corrupt but rather harmonious with divine order.
- and good (טוֹב, tov): This word carries a broad spectrum of meaning: pleasant, beneficial, excellent, morally good, beautiful, prosperous. In this context, "good" refers to what is pleasing in God's eyes, not merely what is convenient or beneficial from a human perspective. It speaks to a holistic well-being and flourishing that results from alignment with God's character and commands, fostering harmony within community and creation.
- in the sight of the LORD (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה, b'einei YHWH): This critical qualification underscores that the standard of "right and good" is divinely determined, not human. It explicitly removes subjective human judgment as the ultimate arbiter of morality. Israel is to live by God's values, reflecting His character and will. This phrase contrasts sharply with the dangerous concept of "everyone doing what is right in their own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25), which consistently led to moral decay in Israel's history. It also serves as a polemic against ancient Near Eastern pagan cultures where human ethics were often subservient to perceived ritual efficacy or polytheistic whims, not tied to the absolute moral will of a single, just Creator.
- that it may go well with you (לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָךְ, l'maan yitav lach): This clause denotes purpose and outcome, directly linking obedience to flourishing. "Go well" implies prosperity, success, security, and well-being in all aspects of life – physical, social, and spiritual. This is the promised blessing, illustrating God's desire for the covenant community's prosperity when they align with His will.
- and that you may go in and possess (וִירִשְׁתָּ, v'yirashta - part of phrase for "go in and possess"): This refers to the literal fulfillment of the land promise. The right to inherit and securely inhabit the promised territory (Canaan) is contingent on continued faithfulness. The land is not an unconditional grant but requires ongoing obedience for its full and lasting enjoyment.
- the good land: This refers to the land of Canaan, described elsewhere as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exod 3:8). Its "goodness" encompasses fertility, resources, and its significance as the geographical manifestation of God's covenant promise to Israel.
- which the LORD swore to give to your fathers: This emphasizes the covenantal foundation and the faithfulness of God. The promise of the land originated with Abraham (Gen 12:7), reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, sealed by an oath (Gen 22:16-18). This reminds Israel that their blessings and the very land they are about to enter are not due to their merit, but God's unbreakable commitment to His ancient covenant, which they are now called to uphold.
Deuteronomy 6 18 Bonus section
The phrase "right and good" (יָשָׁר וָטוֹב, yashar v'tov) is a recurring Deuteronomic idiom (e.g., Deut 12:28, 13:18) which highlights God's expectation for Israel to live ethically in contrast to the morally corrupt practices of the Canaanites. This wasn't merely about legal adherence, but about developing a community culture that reflected divine values. This verse establishes that prosperity (that "it may go well with you") is not accidental or purely the result of human effort, but a direct outcome of God's favor in response to covenant fidelity. In the New Testament, while salvation is by grace through faith, the outworking of faith still entails "good works" (Eph 2:10), embodying what is "good and acceptable and perfect" in God's sight (Rom 12:2), thus echoing the ancient call to live "right and good." The land promise in the Old Testament can also be seen typologically pointing to the spiritual inheritance in Christ (heavenly places, full relationship with God) for believers.
Deuteronomy 6 18 Commentary
Deuteronomy 6:18 encapsulates a core principle of Deuteronomic theology: the intimate and unbreakable connection between ethical obedience, divine blessing, and national destiny. To do "right and good" is not merely about external conformity to law, but reflects an internal disposition that seeks to align with God's character and will. This alignment brings about shalom—holistic peace and well-being—for the individual and the nation, specifically in the context of inhabiting the Promised Land. It teaches that true flourishing stems from recognizing God's absolute sovereignty and moral authority. Unlike the transient and capricious deities of the nations around them, Israel's God, YHWH, offers sure and steadfast blessings contingent upon living justly and compassionately, according to His revealed will. The verse underscores that the enjoyment of God's promises, even one as foundational as the Land, is a gift received through faithful covenant relationship.