Deuteronomy 12:28
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמֹ֣ר
Observe
H8104
שְׁמֹ֣ר
Observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֗
and hear
H8085
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֗
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
all these words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
all these words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְמַעַן֩
H4616
לְמַעַן֩
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יִיטַ֨ב
thee that it may go well
H3190
יִיטַ֨ב
thee that it may go well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
11 of 23
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ
with thee and with thy children
H1121
וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ
with thee and with thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַֽחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
עַד
thee for
H5704
עַד
thee for
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָ֔ם
ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֔ם
ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַֽעֲשֶׂה֙
when thou doest
H6213
תַֽעֲשֶׂה֙
when thou doest
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
18 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַטּ֣וֹב
that which is good
H2896
הַטּ֣וֹב
that which is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
19 of 23
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בְּעֵינֵ֖י
in the sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֖י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
21 of 23
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Historical Context
This verse concludes worship centralization instructions, transitioning to Canaanite destruction commands. The perpetual blessing promise is conditioned on perpetual obedience—which Israel failed to maintain. Exile proved the converse: disobedience brings curse. However, God's faithfulness outlasts Israel's failure—the Davidic line preserved through exile, culminating in Christ, ensures ultimate blessing for faithful remnant (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27; 11:5). God's promises ultimately rest on His faithfulness, not ours.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that 'good and right' means conforming to God's character affect our approach to obedience?
- What is the relationship between observing God's commands and experiencing His blessing?
- How do New Testament promises of eternal life fulfill the Old Testament's 'go well with you forever' blessings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The concluding exhortation: 'Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.' The dual command—'observe' (shamar, שָׁמַר, guard/keep) and 'hear' (shama, שָׁמַע, listen/obey)—demands attentive obedience. The result: perpetual prosperity ('for ever') for faithful generations. The phrase 'good and right' (טוֹב וְיָשָׁר, tov veyashar) indicates both moral excellence and covenantal rectitude. This isn't arbitrary rule-keeping but conforming to God's character. Obedience brings blessing not magically but covenantally—God honors faithfulness to His word.