Deuteronomy 28:9
The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Original Language Analysis
יְקִֽימְךָ֙
shall establish
H6965
יְקִֽימְךָ֙
shall establish
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְעַ֣ם
people
H5971
לְעַ֣ם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
קָד֔וֹשׁ
thee an holy
H6918
קָד֔וֹשׁ
thee an holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
5 of 16
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִֽשְׁבַּֽע
unto himself as he hath sworn
H7650
נִֽשְׁבַּֽע
unto himself as he hath sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
7 of 16
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִשְׁמֹ֗ר
unto thee if thou shalt keep
H8104
תִשְׁמֹ֗ר
unto thee if thou shalt keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוֹת֙
the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹת֙
the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 16
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 16
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
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.Deuteronomy 13:17And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Isaiah 62:12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Isaiah 1:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.Psalms 87:5And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.Jeremiah 11:5That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.Deuteronomy 7:8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Historical Context
God swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be His special people. This promise provided foundation for the Mosaic covenant's expectations.
Holiness meant separation unto God from pagan nations. Israel's distinct identity required distinct behavior reflecting their consecration.
Questions for Reflection
- What does being established as holy people teach about identity and obligation?
- How does God's prior oath create present obligation for His people?
- What is the difference between Mosaic conditional blessing and New Covenant security in Christ?
- How does walking in God's ways connect belief with behavior?
- Why must distinct identity as God's people result in distinct behavior?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. God promises to establish Israel as holy people - set apart for His possession and purpose. This establishes both identity (who they are) and obligation (how they must live).
The phrase as he hath sworn unto thee grounds this promise in prior oath - likely referring to patriarchal promises. God's covenant faithfulness obligates His people to covenant obedience. Past grace creates present obligation.
The condition if thou shalt keep the commandments makes covenant status conditional on obedience in the Mosaic framework. While election was unconditional, maintaining covenant blessing required faithfulness. This differs from New Covenant where Christ's obedience secures believers' standing.
The parallel walk in his ways connects belief and behavior. Keeping commandments is not merely external compliance but internal orientation that shapes one's entire path through life.