Deuteronomy 11:13

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
H8085
And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#4
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
H8085
And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#5
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
מִצְוֹתַ֔י
H4687
unto my commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
אָֽנֹכִ֛י
H595
i
#9
מְצַוֶּ֥ה
H6680
which I command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#10
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הַיּ֑וֹם
H3117
you this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה
H157
to love
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#13
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
יְהוָ֤ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
H430
your God
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
#16
וּלְעָבְד֔וֹ
H5647
and to serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#17
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
H3824
him with all your heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#19
וּבְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃
H5315
and with all your soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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