Deuteronomy 11:21
That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
Original Language Analysis
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
H3117
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 17
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
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
H3117
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 17
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
בְנֵיכֶ֔ם
of your children
H1121
בְנֵיכֶ֔ם
of your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע
sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע
sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
9 of 17
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם
unto your fathers
H1
לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם
unto your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לָתֵ֣ת
to give
H5414
לָתֵ֣ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
H3117
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 17
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
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
15 of 17
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
Cross References
Proverbs 4:10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.Proverbs 3:2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.Psalms 72:5They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.Proverbs 9:11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.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.
Historical Context
The patriarchal promises (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18-21) guaranteed land possession to Abraham's descendants. This verse reaffirms that covenant while clarifying the conditional nature: permanent possession requires generational obedience. Israel's exile (722 BC, 586 BC) demonstrated covenant curses' reality. Restoration under Ezra-Nehemiah showed God's faithfulness, but second-temple period Jews never achieved full independence until the nation's ultimate failure at AD 70.
Questions for Reflection
- How does obedience to God's word lead to personal and family flourishing?
- What is the relationship between Old Testament land promises and New Testament spiritual inheritance?
- How can we apply the principle of generational faithfulness to our families and churches?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The purpose clause: 'that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.' Obedience brings longevity—both individual and national. The poetic phrase 'as the days of heaven upon the earth' (כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם עַל־הָאָרֶץ) suggests permanence: as long as heaven endures over earth, so will obedient Israel endure in the land. This recalls the Noahic covenant's stability (Genesis 8:22). However, history proved conditional—disobedience led to exile. New Testament reapplies this to eternal life: obedient faith leads to imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4).