Deuteronomy 6 3

Deuteronomy 6:3 kjv

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Deuteronomy 6:3 nkjv

Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you? 'a land flowing with milk and honey.'

Deuteronomy 6:3 niv

Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Deuteronomy 6:3 esv

Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Deuteronomy 6:3 nlt

Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Deuteronomy 6 verses

Deuteronomy 6 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy 6:3 is an urgent summons for the nation of Israel to heed God's commands with the purpose of actively obeying them. The verse clearly states that this obedience is the condition for their well-being, immense numerical growth, and successful settlement in the promised land, a land vividly described as flowing with abundant provisions. It firmly connects present actions with future blessings, grounding these promised blessings in God's prior unwavering commitments to their ancestors.

Deuteronomy 6 3 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 6 immediately follows Moses' recounting of the Ten Commandments and their significance. Moses, speaking to the second generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, reiterates the foundational laws and principles that will govern their life in Canaan. This chapter forms the core of what is known as the "Shema" (Hear), which is central to Jewish identity and faith. Deuteronomy 6:3 serves as an exhortation to the people to internalize and actively obey the divine instruction given in verses 1-2, laying the groundwork for the most profound command to love God with all their being (v.5) and transmit these truths to their children. The historical context is that of a covenant renewal ceremony on the plains of Moab, where Moses reminds Israel of God's faithfulness and their responsibility to keep the covenant. This second generation needed to commit to the covenant in a way their parents, who largely perished in the wilderness due to disobedience, had not.

Deuteronomy 6 3 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - Shema): More than just passive listening; it implies understanding, internalizing, and acting upon what is heard. It demands active attention and a responsive will, setting the stage for obedience. This word initiates the most crucial confession of faith in Judaism (Deut 6:4).
• therefore: Connects the promised blessings directly to the preceding command to listen and do. It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship based on the covenant.
• O Israel: Direct address to the corporate body of the covenant people. It is a reminder of their unique identity as God's chosen nation, distinct from others. It is a call to a communal response and responsibility.
• and be careful (שָׁמַר - shamar): To watch, guard, keep, preserve, observe. This signifies diligent, intentional, and precise adherence to the commands. It implies vigilance against deviation.
• to do it (לַעֲשׂוֹת - la'asot): This highlights the active and practical component of obedience. Hearing and being careful are insufficient without corresponding action. Faith without works is dead.
• that it may go well with you (וְטוֹב לָךְ - vetov lakh): Refers to a state of general well-being, prosperity, flourishing, and safety. It encompasses all aspects of life, not just material blessings, but holistic favor.
• and that you may multiply greatly (תִּרְבּוּ מְאֹד - tirbu me'od): Literally "increase exceedingly." This refers to numerical increase and fruitfulness, fulfilling the divine command from creation and the specific promise made to Abraham regarding his descendants. It speaks to the nation's strength and continuity.
• as the LORD (יהוה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness, and His active presence. It identifies the sovereign, unchanging God who fulfills His word.
• the God of your fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָ - Elohei Avotekha): Connects the current generation to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), affirming God's historical continuity, covenant fidelity, and enduring promises across generations. It underscores God's commitment to their ancestral line.
• has promised you (דִּבֶּר - dibber): Literally "spoken." Emphasizes the certainty and reliability of God's word. What God declares, He performs. This grounds the future blessings in His unwavering faithfulness.
• in a land flowing with milk and honey (אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ - eretz zavat chalav udevash): A proverbial description of a fertile, rich, and abundant land. "Milk" suggests animal husbandry and its products; "honey" from wild bees or dates (date syrup), indicating a sweet, fruitful, and desirable place of divine provision. It symbolizes divine blessing and lush provision in contrast to the arid wilderness.

• "Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do it": This is a critical instruction-response clause. It is not merely passive reception but a mandate for attentive, decisive, and diligent obedience. This combination of listening and acting is fundamental to Israel's covenant relationship with God. It echoes the core principle that true faith involves practical righteousness.
• "that it may go well with you and that you may multiply greatly": These phrases articulate the immediate and long-term outcomes of faithful obedience. "Going well" indicates present prosperity and general flourishing, while "multiplying greatly" looks to the numerical strength and continuation of the nation, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise and ensuring the future of God's people. This points to the holistic nature of God's blessing.
• "as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you": This grounds the blessings not in Israel's merit alone, but in God's pre-existing, unilateral covenant promises made to their ancestors. It reassures Israel of God's faithfulness while reminding them of their heritage and the lineage of promise they are inheriting. This connects their current situation to a redemptive history initiated long before.
• "in a land flowing with milk and honey": This specific descriptor of the promised land represents the pinnacle of God's provision and the physical manifestation of the covenant blessing. It is the tangible destination of their journey and the symbol of a secure, blessed existence under God's rule, providing abundance for their families and communities. It stands in stark contrast to their previous enslavement and forty years in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 6 3 Bonus section

The structure of Deuteronomy often mimics ancient Near Eastern vassal treaties, where the suzerain (the greater king, here God) outlines terms, promises benefits for obedience, and curses for disobedience to the vassal (Israel). Deuteronomy 6:3 serves as part of the stipulations section, clearly articulating the rewards of covenant fidelity. The "land flowing with milk and honey" is not just an ideal description but serves as a polemic against the perceived fertility deities of Canaan, whose worship would lead to desolation rather than blessing. The true source of life and abundance for Israel is YHWH alone, contingent on their keeping His commandments, not on appealing to false gods through illicit cult practices. This verse prepares Israel not just for physical possession of the land, but for living in a distinctive, God-centered way within that land.

Deuteronomy 6 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:3 encapsulates the Deuteronomic theology of blessings contingent upon obedience. It’s a clarion call for Israel to heed God’s covenant instructions given through Moses. The emphasis is on more than just hearing; it demands active, careful doing of the commandments. This proactive obedience is presented as the direct conduit to well-being (spiritual and physical flourishing) and exponential growth for the nation. Crucially, these future blessings are not presented as new or arbitrary, but as the consistent fulfillment of God's established promises to their ancestors – the patriarchs. The imagery of "a land flowing with milk and honey" vividly paints a picture of a place of incredible abundance and security, God’s ultimate provision for His faithful people. The verse establishes a clear link between a responsive heart, obedient hands, and a blessed existence, rooted in the enduring faithfulness of YHWH. It is a powerful reminder that living by God's Word yields prosperity and secures destiny.For instance, a community that adheres to principles of justice and love (from God's law) often experiences greater peace and collective flourishing than one plagued by disorder. Similarly, families that diligently teach and live out biblical principles (like those for diligence and financial stewardship) often see the benefit of "things going well" and even "multiplying" resources over generations.