Deuteronomy 11:12

Authorized King James Version

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A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

Original Language Analysis

אֶ֕רֶץ A land H776
אֶ֕רֶץ A land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 1 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 16
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
דֹּרֵ֣שׁ careth for H1875
דֹּרֵ֣שׁ careth for
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֹתָ֑הּ H853
אֹתָ֑הּ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תָּמִ֗יד are always H8548
תָּמִ֗יד are always
Strong's: H8548
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
עֵינֵ֨י the eyes H5869
עֵינֵ֨י the eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 8 of 16
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 16
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
בָּ֔הּ H0
בָּ֔הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 16
מֵֽרֵשִׁית֙ upon it from the beginning H7225
מֵֽרֵשִׁית֙ upon it from the beginning
Strong's: H7225
Word #: 12 of 16
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
שָׁנָֽה׃ of the year H8141
שָׁנָֽה׃ of the year
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 13 of 16
a year (as a revolution of time)
וְעַ֖ד H5704
וְעַ֖ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 14 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אַֽחֲרִ֥ית even unto the end H319
אַֽחֲרִ֥ית even unto the end
Strong's: H319
Word #: 15 of 16
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
שָׁנָֽה׃ of the year H8141
שָׁנָֽה׃ of the year
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 16 of 16
a year (as a revolution of time)

Analysis & Commentary

The land is described as one 'which the LORD thy God careth for' using the Hebrew darash (דָּרַשׁ), meaning to seek, inquire after, or care for diligently. This isn't passive observation but active providence. The phrase 'the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it' indicates continuous divine attention from 'the beginning of the year even unto the end.' This anthropomorphic language emphasizes God's personal, ongoing involvement. However, verse 13-17 clarify this care is conditional on covenant obedience—blessing for faithfulness, curse for idolatry. Divine providence operates within covenant framework.

Historical Context

This divine care distinguished Israel from surrounding nations whose gods required constant appeasement but offered no reliable providence. Baal worship, dominant in Canaan, claimed the storm god controlled rain—but Yahweh demonstrates He alone governs weather. The agricultural calendar (Gezer Calendar, c. 925 BC) shows year-round agricultural activity requiring divine blessing at each stage: plowing, sowing, harvesting, pruning.

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