Deuteronomy 8:6 kjv
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 nkjv
"Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 niv
Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 esv
So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 nlt
"So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.
Deuteronomy 8 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 5:29 | Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me... | Wish for obedience from heart of fear |
| Deut 6:2 | that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes... | Fear connected to keeping statutes |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart... | Foundation of all obedience is love for God |
| Deut 10:12 | What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD... | Summons to fear, walk, love, and serve God |
| Deut 11:13 | if you diligently obey My commandments... to love the LORD... and to serve Him... | Obedience to commandments out of love |
| Deut 26:17 | You have proclaimed today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in His ways... | Covenant commitment to walk in God's ways |
| Josh 22:5 | be very careful to observe the commandment and the law... to love Him... and to walk in all His ways... | Exhortation to keep commands, love God, walk in His ways |
| 1 Ki 2:3 | Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways... | David's charge to Solomon on keeping commands |
| Ps 119:3 | they also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways. | The righteous walk in God's ways |
| Ps 119:4 | You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. | God's clear instruction to keep precepts |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of God as origin of wisdom and understanding |
| Prov 3:1 | My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands... | Instruction to remember and keep God's commands |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of God foundational to true wisdom |
| Eccles 12:13 | Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Summary of human duty: fear God, keep commands |
| Isa 2:3 | He will teach us about His ways so that we may walk in His paths. | Learning God's ways to walk in them |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you... | Summary of divine requirement: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God |
| Matt 7:21 | Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter... but he who does the will of My Father... | True discipleship involves doing God's will |
| Matt 22:37-39 | You shall love the LORD your God... This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it... | Jesus emphasizes love for God and neighbor as central |
| John 14:15 | If you love Me, keep My commandments. | Jesus directly links love for Him with obedience |
| John 14:21 | He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. | Reiterates love demonstrated through obedience |
| Rom 6:4 | so we too might walk in newness of life. | New life in Christ involves a new way of walking |
| 1 Jn 2:3 | By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. | Keeping commandments as evidence of knowing God |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments... | Keeping commandments defined as loving God |
Deuteronomy 8 verses
Deuteronomy 8 6 Meaning
Deuteronomy 8:6 encapsulates a foundational demand for Israel: in response to God's faithful past provision and corrective discipline in the wilderness, they are to actively obey His commandments, align their lives with His character and principles, and hold Him in reverent awe. This instruction serves as the heart of their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 8 6 Context
Deuteronomy is Moses's final address to the new generation of Israelites before they enter the promised land. It is a re-giving and exposition of the Law, emphasizing its spiritual significance and calling for complete devotion to Yahweh. Chapter 8 specifically warns Israel against forgetting God when they become prosperous in the land, reminding them of God's humbling and testing during the 40 years in the wilderness. Verses 2-5 highlight God's purpose in disciplining them: to teach them dependence on His word rather than just physical provision. Verse 6 thus follows as the necessary response to such divine care and pedagogical intention—a continuous, committed obedience that prevents arrogance and apostasy. The chapter acts as a prophylactic warning against self-sufficiency once settled in Canaan.
Deuteronomy 8 6 Word analysis
- Therefore (עַל־כֵּן - 'al-ken): This crucial connecting phrase establishes a logical consequence. Because of all that God has done—testing, humbling, feeding, sustaining, providing discipline like a father (vv. 2-5)—Israel must respond with the stated actions. It signifies a divine imperative built upon past divine actions.
- you shall keep (תִּשְׁמֹר - tishmor): The verb means "to watch, guard, observe, preserve, attend to, be careful." It implies a diligent, active, and protective observance, not mere passive acceptance. It speaks of treasuring and protecting God's instructions as valuable.
- the commandments (הַמִּצְוֹת - ha'mitzṿot): Refers to the divine instructions and statutes given through Moses. This encompasses the entire body of Torah, all of God's revealed will for their moral, ethical, social, and spiritual life.
- of the LORD your God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - Yahweh Elohekha): "LORD" (Yahweh) is God's covenant name, signifying His personal, redemptive relationship with Israel. "Your God" (Elohekha) emphasizes His unique and intimate claim on them. This phrase underscores that these commands come from their personal, covenant-keeping Sovereign.
- to walk (לָלֶכֶת - la-lekhet): This infinitive points to continuous action, a way of life, or a manner of conduct. It's a comprehensive metaphor for one's lifestyle, habits, and direction in life. It implies progress and direction, not static adherence.
- in His ways (בִּדְרָכָיו - bi'derakhaiv): "Ways" refers to God's character, attributes, principles, and the methods by which He acts. To walk in His ways means to imitate His righteousness, justice, holiness, mercy, and faithfulness in daily living. It’s an ethical mirroring of divine character.
- and to fear Him (וּלְיִרְאָה אֹתוֹ - u-le-yir'ah oto): "Fear" here (yir'ah) does not mean terror or dread, but a profound reverential awe, deep respect, honor, and humble submission born from recognition of God's holiness, power, authority, and love. It is the proper response of creature to Creator, serving as the beginning of wisdom and the true foundation for obedience. It encompasses a deep loyalty and commitment that drives a person away from evil.
Deuteronomy 8 6 Bonus section
The phrase "walk in His ways" highlights the holistic nature of biblical obedience. It's not just about abstaining from forbidden actions but actively patterning one's entire life and conduct after God's own character and revealed will. This concept permeates the entire Scripture, describing what it means to truly know God (1 Jn 2:6). It’s also a polemic against the arbitrary nature of pagan gods or the belief that human effort could manipulate deity; Israel’s relationship with Yahweh is characterized by a moral alignment with His holy being. The 'fear' is also preventative—it secures Israel from the arrogance and self-sufficiency that often come with prosperity. This fear protects from the spiritual idolatry of trusting in one's own power or achievements, a core theme throughout Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 8 6 Commentary
Deuteronomy 8:6 summarizes the essential demand of the covenant relationship. It establishes that obedience to God's commandments, walking in His righteous ways, and reverencing Him are not arbitrary rules but the natural, required response to His gracious and wise dealings. The "therefore" links their future faithfulness to God's past and present faithfulness towards them, emphasizing gratitude and recognition of His sovereignty and care. This is an all-encompassing call for holistic devotion—affecting both heart (fear/awe) and practical life (keeping commands, walking in His ways)—to prevent spiritual forgetfulness and secure ongoing blessing. It positions worship as life lived in alignment with divine character.