Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔
Therefore thou shalt love
H157
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔
Therefore thou shalt love
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
1 of 11
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֣
and keep
H8104
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֣
and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹ
his charge
H4931
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹ
his charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
6 of 11
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֛יו
and his judgments
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֛יו
and his judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וּמִצְוֹתָ֖יו
and his commandments
H4687
וּמִצְוֹתָ֖יו
and his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
9 of 11
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.Deuteronomy 10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,Zechariah 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.Leviticus 8:35Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.Psalms 116:1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.Psalms 105:45That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.Deuteronomy 4:1Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.Deuteronomy 6:1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:Deuteronomy 4:40Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.Deuteronomy 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Historical Context
Moses delivered this second sermon in Moab's plains (Deuteronomy 5-26) as Israel prepared to enter Canaan. The generation that witnessed the Exodus had died; this was covenant renewal for their children (born in wilderness, now adults). The command to love God responds to chapter 10's recounting of the golden calf, the broken tablets, Moses's intercession, and God's gracious restoration. God's faithfulness despite Israel's rebellion demands wholehearted love in return.
Questions for Reflection
- How does biblical love differ from modern emotional definitions, given that God commands it?
- In what ways does genuine love for God necessarily produce obedience to His commands?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God—The Hebrew ve'ahavta (וְאָהַבְתָּ֕) is a commandment, not a suggestion. Love here means covenantal loyalty and devotion, not mere emotion. Following the Shema (6:5), Moses grounds this command in the 'therefore' (עַל־כֵּן) of the preceding chapter's rehearsal of God's mighty acts. Love for Yahweh is the proper response to His redemptive work.
Keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments—Four terms emphasize comprehensive obedience: mishmereth (מִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ, 'charge/duty'), chuqqim (חֻקָּיו, 'statutes/decrees'), mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטָיו, 'judgments/ordinances'), and mitzvoth (מִצְוֺתָיו, 'commandments'). This accumulation stresses that love expresses itself through total obedience. Biblical love is never divorced from action—true affection for God manifests in keeping His word. Jesus echoed this: 'If you love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15).