Deuteronomy 5:33
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Original Language Analysis
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ
in all the ways
H1870
הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ
in all the ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
2 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 17
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 #:
5 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 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
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תֵּלֵ֑כוּ
H1980
תֵּלֵ֑כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְמַ֤עַן
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּֽחְיוּן֙
you that ye may live
H2421
תִּֽחְיוּן֙
you that ye may live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
10 of 17
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וְט֣וֹב
and that it may be well
H2895
וְט֣וֹב
and that it may be well
Strong's:
H2895
Word #:
11 of 17
to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם
with you and that ye may prolong
H748
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם
with you and that ye may prolong
Strong's:
H748
Word #:
13 of 17
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
יָמִ֔ים
your days
H3117
יָמִ֔ים
your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 17
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.Deuteronomy 4:40Thou 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.Luke 1:6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.1 Timothy 4:8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.Deuteronomy 10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Psalms 119:6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Historical Context
This summary exhortation concludes Moses' rehearsal of the Ten Commandments and introduces detailed law exposition (Deuteronomy 6-26). The 'ways' include moral law (Ten Commandments), civil ordinances, and ceremonial regulations governing Israel's theocratic society in Canaan. Obedience would result in agricultural prosperity, military victory, and peace. Disobedience brought drought, defeat, and exile (Deuteronomy 28). Israel's tragic history validated that covenant blessing requires faithful obedience produced only through regeneration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the metaphor of 'walking' in God's ways emphasize that obedience involves comprehensive lifestyle, not isolated acts?
- What does Israel's inability to consistently walk in God's ways teach about humanity's need for divine grace to produce genuine obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you' employs the metaphor of walking for covenant obedience. The Hebrew 'halak' (walk) indicates lifestyle, habitual conduct, comprehensive life direction. The purpose clauses reveal obedience's blessings: 'that ye may live' (spiritual vitality), 'that it may be well with you' (prosperity), 'that ye may prolong your days' (longevity). These promises are covenantal—obedience brings blessing; disobedience, curse. Yet Israel's failure proved that law cannot save; only grace transforms hearts to walk in God's ways (Galatians 5:16, 25).