Deuteronomy 4:40
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֞
Thou shalt keep
H8104
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֞
Thou shalt keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֻקָּ֣יו
therefore his statutes
H2706
חֻקָּ֣יו
therefore his statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
3 of 26
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוֹתָ֗יו
and his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֗יו
and his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
5 of 26
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיָּמִֽים׃
thee this day
H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 26
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
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִיטַ֣ב
that it may go well
H3190
יִיטַ֣ב
that it may go well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
11 of 26
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ
with thee and with thy children
H1121
וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ
with thee and with thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַֽחֲרֶ֑יךָ
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֶ֑יךָ
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וּלְמַ֨עַן
H4616
וּלְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תַּֽאֲרִ֤יךְ
thee and that thou mayest prolong
H748
תַּֽאֲרִ֤יךְ
thee and that thou mayest prolong
Strong's:
H748
Word #:
16 of 26
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
הַיָּמִֽים׃
thee this day
H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 26
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֧ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
22 of 26
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
נֹתֵ֥ן
giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.Deuteronomy 5:16Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Ephesians 6:3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.Deuteronomy 12:28Observe 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.Leviticus 22:31Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.Deuteronomy 12:25Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.Deuteronomy 6:18And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,Deuteronomy 22:7But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.Jeremiah 11:4Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:Deuteronomy 4:6Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
Historical Context
Moses connects obedience to statutes and commandments with multigenerational blessing in the land they were about to possess. Speaking from the plains of Moab, Moses emphasizes that successful settlement in Canaan depended not on military might but on covenant faithfulness. This theme dominates Deuteronomy's theology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between obedience and blessing differ from a transactional 'prosperity gospel' approach to God?
- What does it mean that your choices today affect not only you but 'your children after you'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee...
Moses draws the practical conclusion (veshamarta, וְשָׁמַרְתָּ, 'you shall keep/guard') from the theological foundation: because Yahweh alone is God (vv. 35, 39), His chuqqim (חֻקָּיו, 'statutes') and mitsvotav (מִצְוֺתָיו, 'commandments') demand obedience. Monotheism is not mere doctrine but lifestyle—acknowledging one God means following one Lord.
Obedience yields blessing: asher yitav lekha (אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ, 'that it may go well with you') and ulevanekha acharekha (וּלְבָנֶיךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ, 'and with your children after you'). Covenant faithfulness produces multigenerational flourishing. This is not mechanical prosperity gospel but covenantal consequence—the God who designed life also revealed how life works best. Obedience aligns us with reality; disobedience fights against the grain of the universe.
The phrase leha'arikh yamim (לְהַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים, 'prolong your days') promises longevity in the land. Israel's tenure depends on covenant fidelity, not military power or political alliances. The land is given kol hayamim (כָּל הַיָּמִים, 'forever/all days'), but possession remains conditional on obedience. This tension between unconditional promise and conditional enjoyment pervades Deuteronomy and finds resolution only in Christ, who fulfilled the law's demands perfectly on our behalf.