Deuteronomy 6:24 kjv
And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
Deuteronomy 6:24 nkjv
And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 6:24 niv
The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
Deuteronomy 6:24 esv
And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.
Deuteronomy 6:24 nlt
And the LORD our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day.
Deuteronomy 6 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:1 | "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live..." | Obedience for life and land possession |
| Deut 4:40 | "Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His commandments... that it may go well with you..." | Obedience ensuring enduring well-being |
| Deut 5:33 | "You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live..." | Walking in God's ways for true life |
| Deut 10:12-13 | "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you...? ...to keep the commandments... for your good." | God's commands are for our benefit |
| Deut 30:15-16 | "See, I have set before you today life and good... if you obey... that you may live..." | Choosing life through adherence to God |
| Deut 30:19-20 | "choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice..." | Life is a choice made through love and obedience |
| Lev 18:5 | "You shall therefore keep My statutes and My rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them..." | Link between obedience to law and life |
| Josh 1:8 | "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth... for then you will make your way prosperous..." | Prosperity and success found in God's Law |
| Psa 19:7-8 | "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul... The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart..." | God's law's positive impact on soul and heart |
| Psa 34:11-14 | "Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord... Depart from evil and do good..." | Reverence for God leading to good and life |
| Psa 119:1-2 | "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies..." | Blessings for those who keep God's commands |
| Prov 1:7 | "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." | Foundation of knowledge and understanding |
| Prov 9:10 | "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." | Wisdom and insight rooted in reverence for God |
| Eccl 12:13 | "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." | Sum of human purpose and responsibility |
| Jer 32:39 | "I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for their own good and for the good of their children..." | God ensuring lasting good for generations |
| Ezek 33:16 | "He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live." | Living righteously leads to life |
| Mt 19:16-17 | "If you would enter life, keep the commandments." | Christ affirming keeping commands for life |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | Obedience as an expression of love for Christ |
| Jn 15:10 | "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." | Abiding in Christ's love through obedience |
| Rom 13:8-10 | "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." | Love as the fulfillment of all law |
| 1 Tim 4:8 | "Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." | Godliness brings benefits for temporal and eternal life |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." | God's commands are expressions of love and not difficult |
| Jam 1:22-25 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only... he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty... will be blessed in his doing." | Blessings for those who act on God's Word |
Deuteronomy 6 verses
Deuteronomy 6 24 Meaning
Deuteronomy 6:24 reveals the core purpose behind God's commandments to Israel: they are given out of God's benevolent will for the people's ultimate good and sustained existence. It explains that the divine commands, far from being burdensome, are intrinsically linked to a life of well-being, security, and continuity for the nation, enabling them to flourish in the land God promised. The verse emphasizes that fearing the Lord – understanding Him in reverent awe and obeying His decrees – directly results in a perpetually blessed and preserved life, a truth substantiated by their present-day experience.
Deuteronomy 6 24 Context
Deuteronomy 6:24 is situated within the "Shema" passage (Deut 6:4-9) and its broader exposition, where Moses passionately reiterates the Law to the new generation of Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This verse provides an essential explanation for why God gave these statutes, anticipating the questions their children might ask (Deut 6:20). It counters any perception of God's commands as arbitrary burdens, framing them instead as benevolent provisions rooted in God's desire for His people's flourishing and sustained life in the land He graciously provided. Historically, it contrasts sharply with the practices of surrounding pagan nations, where obedience was often about appeasing capricious deities for the deities' own benefit; here, obedience to YHWH is unequivocally for Israel's welfare.
Deuteronomy 6 24 Word analysis
- And the Lord commanded: The phrase signifies divine initiative and authority. The Hebrew for "commanded," ṣāwāh (צוה), implies a binding authoritative order, not a suggestion. It underscores God's sovereignty and His proactive involvement in Israel's welfare, demonstrating His position as the ultimate law-giver.
- us: Refers to the collective people of Israel, highlighting the corporate nature of the covenant relationship. God's commands are for the entire community, binding them together in a shared responsibility and shared blessing.
- to do all these statutes: "Do" (עֲשׂוֹת, ʿasôt) stresses practical obedience and active living according to the divine directives. "Statutes" (חֻקִּים, ḥuqîm) refers to the divine decrees, ordinances, or fixed laws, often reflecting an established and unchangeable order. The inclusion of "all" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's revealed will; partial obedience is not enough, nor is it God's full intention for His people's good.
- to fear the Lord our God: "Fear" (יִרְאָה, yirʾāh) here is not a terror-filled dread, but a profound reverence, awe, and worshipful submission to God. It involves recognizing His absolute sovereignty, holiness, and power, leading to humble obedience. This fear is foundational for true wisdom and spiritual knowledge (Prov 1:7). "The Lord our God" (YHWH Eloheinu) reiterates the intimate, covenantal relationship God established with Israel, emphasizing that these commands come from their personal, redeemer God.
- for our good always: The Hebrew "for our good" (לְטוֹב לָנוּ, ləṭôv lānû) signifies for their welfare, benefit, prosperity, and well-being. This powerfully asserts God's benevolent motivation: His commands are always teleological, purposed towards His people's flourishing. "Always" (kol-hayyāmîm) denotes a perpetual and enduring good, encompassing every generation and every situation, highlighting God's unchanging faithfulness. This contrasts starkly with pagan deities, whose demands were often for their own capricious satisfaction or sacrifice, not for the people's ultimate benefit.
- that he might preserve us alive: "Preserve alive" (לְחַיֹּתֵנוּ, ləḥayyōṯēnû from חיה, ḥāyāh) means to keep alive, sustain life, or give life. In the Old Testament, "life" extends beyond mere biological existence to a rich, holistic state of well-being, blessing, prosperity, and security within the promised land, indicative of God's shalom. Obedience leads to a flourishing life, whereas disobedience leads to decay and death, both physically and spiritually.
- as it is at this day: This phrase (כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, kəhayyôm hazzê) provides tangible, empirical evidence. Moses is reminding the Israelites that their current existence, safety, and relatively good state, after wilderness wanderings and military victories, stand as living proof of God's faithfulness and the beneficial outcome of His covenant with them. It grounds the theological statement in a verifiable historical reality, making the message undeniably pertinent and powerful.
Deuteronomy 6 24 Bonus section
The concept of "good" (ṭôv) in this verse aligns with the broader Deuteronomic theology of blessing and curse (Deut 28, 30), where obedience invariably leads to life, prosperity, and dwelling in the land, while disobedience leads to exile, famine, and death. Thus, God's commands present Israel with a profound choice for their own existence. The verse implicitly encourages intergenerational catechesis, where parents teach their children the profound 'why' behind the commandments, thereby perpetuating not just the law, but the understanding of God's gracious character. Furthermore, this truth foreshadows New Testament teachings where love for God is expressed through keeping His commands (Jn 14:15, 1 Jn 5:3), leading to abundant life in Christ (Jn 10:10). The fear of the Lord in the Old Covenant finds its perfect expression in walking with Jesus and obeying His word, which brings ultimate spiritual and eternal good.
Deuteronomy 6 24 Commentary
Deuteronomy 6:24 beautifully encapsulates the compassionate heart behind God's commands. It asserts that God's laws are not given arbitrarily or for His own sake, but rather as expressions of His love, designed to secure and perpetuate the genuine well-being of His people. The "fear of the Lord" here is an active reverence and worshipful obedience, born from an understanding of His absolute power and goodness. This verse presents obedience not as a burden but as the pathway to abundant life – physically, spiritually, and corporately within the covenant community. The direct appeal to their current state ("as it is at this day") makes the divine truth immediately applicable, highlighting that God's principles yield tangible results. This theological truth liberates obedience from legalism, reframing it as a grateful response to a loving God who consistently wills His people's good and flourishing, an essential message relevant for all generations of believers.