Deuteronomy 30:16
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיּוֹם֒
thee this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֒
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 25
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 25
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
לָלֶ֣כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֣כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בִּדְרָכָ֔יו
in his ways
H1870
בִּדְרָכָ֔יו
in his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 25
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר
and to keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר
and to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָ֥יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֥יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 25
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו
and his judgments
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו
and his judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְחָיִ֣יתָ
that thou mayest live
H2421
וְחָיִ֣יתָ
that thou mayest live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
15 of 25
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙
shall bless
H1288
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙
shall bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
17 of 25
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 25
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
בָּאָ֕רֶץ
thee in the land
H776
בָּאָ֕רֶץ
thee in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
20 of 25
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָא
whither thou goest
H935
בָא
whither thou goest
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
23 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 30:6And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Deuteronomy 6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.1 Corinthians 7:19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Historical Context
Israel's history validated this principle repeatedly - faithful periods brought blessing and security; apostasy brought military defeat and eventually exile. The covenant blessings and curses operated as Moses predicted.
The centrality of love distinguishes biblical faith from mere legalism - God desires heartfelt devotion, not grudging compliance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does love for God motivate and sustain obedience?
- What is the relationship between covenant faithfulness and prosperity?
- How is covenant blessing different from health-and-wealth prosperity gospel?
- Why did secure land tenure depend on obedience?
- What distinguishes heart devotion from mere external compliance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. This verse explains the life-path - love the LORD...walk in his ways...keep his commandments. These elements constitute covenant faithfulness that produces life and blessing.
The command to love the LORD thy God places relationship at the center. Obedience flows from love, not mere duty. Heart affection for God motivates and sustains faithful living. Jesus later identifies this as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37).
The promise that thou mayest live and multiply connects obedience with prosperity. This is not health-and-wealth gospel but covenant principle that faithfulness produces flourishing while unfaithfulness produces destruction.
The specific application the LORD...shall bless thee in the land ties blessing to Canaan possession. Covenant obedience ensures secure tenure in the Promised Land; disobedience results in exile.