Deuteronomy 28:1
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּשְׁמַע֙
And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken
H8085
תִּשְׁמַע֙
And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
תִּשְׁמַע֙
And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken
H8085
תִּשְׁמַע֙
And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֤ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 24
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 24
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙
and to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙
and to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 24
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 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 24
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 24
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
וּנְתָ֨נְךָ֜
will set
H5414
וּנְתָ֨נְךָ֜
will set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֤ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 24
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
עֶלְי֔וֹן
thee on high
H5945
עֶלְי֔וֹן
thee on high
Strong's:
H5945
Word #:
20 of 24
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 1:19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:Exodus 23:22But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.John 15:14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.Luke 11:28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Psalms 91:14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.Deuteronomy 15:5Only 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.Deuteronomy 11:13And 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,Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Historical Context
Israel's subsequent history demonstrated this principle - periods of covenant faithfulness (David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah) brought prosperity and international respect, while apostasy brought judgment, defeat, and exile.
This conditional blessing differs from unconditional Abrahamic promises that depend solely on God's faithfulness. The Mosaic covenant operated on do this and live principle.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the conditional nature of these blessings teach about covenant obligations?
- How does diligent listening differ from casual hearing?
- Why does God require comprehensive rather than selective obedience?
- What does observable blessing from obedience testify to watching nations?
- How do we reconcile conditional Mosaic blessings with unconditional Abrahamic promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. The blessings chapter begins with conditional promise - if thou shalt hearken diligently. Divine blessing flows from covenant obedience; disobedience brings curse (verse 15 onward). This establishes the covenant's bilateral nature - God promises faithfulness, but Israel must respond obediently.
The phrase hearken diligently requires attentive, faithful listening with obedient response. Casual hearing without obedient action does not fulfill the condition. Saving faith always manifests in obedient living.
The scope all his commandments demands comprehensive obedience. Selective compliance with preferred portions while ignoring challenging commands does not satisfy covenant requirements. God expects complete submission to His revealed will.
The promise set thee on high above all nations indicates that covenant faithfulness results in observable blessing and international influence. Obedient communities experience flourishing that testifies to watching world about God's goodness.