Deuteronomy 15:5
Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֚ק
H7535
רַ֚ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּשְׁמַ֔ע
Only if thou carefully
H8085
תִּשְׁמַ֔ע
Only if thou carefully
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
תִּשְׁמַ֔ע
Only if thou carefully
H8085
תִּשְׁמַ֔ע
Only if thou carefully
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 17
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
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר
to observe
H8104
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר
to observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
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 #:
11 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמִּצְוָ֣ה
all these commandments
H4687
הַמִּצְוָ֣ה
all these commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 17
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated this principle repeatedly. Periods of covenant faithfulness brought blessing; apostasy and disobedience brought judgment. The Deuteronomic history (Joshua through Kings) chronicles this pattern.
The prophets condemned Israel's selective obedience - maintaining ritual worship while oppressing the poor. God demanded comprehensive righteousness encompassing both ceremonial and social dimensions.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the relationship between obedience and blessing in God's covenant?
- How does careful hearing differ from mere listening?
- Why does God require comprehensive obedience rather than selective compliance with preferred commands?
- How do we reconcile salvation by grace with the principle that obedience brings blessing?
- What does Israel's history teach about the consequences of partial or selective obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. The promise of comprehensive blessing is conditional - only if Israel carefully obeys God's commands. Prosperity flows from faithfulness; poverty results from disobedience.
The emphasis carefully hearken demands attentive listening with intent to obey. Mere hearing is insufficient; active obedience to God's voice is required. This connects hearing and doing, faith and works - genuine faith manifests in obedient action.
The phrase all these commandments prohibits selective obedience. Israel could not choose to observe Sabbath while ignoring sabbatical release, or honor ceremonial laws while neglecting social justice. God demands comprehensive obedience to the entire covenant package.
This principle pervades Scripture - blessing follows obedience (Deuteronomy 28). While salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works, sanctification and temporal blessing have organic connection to obedience. God's moral order links righteousness and flourishing.