Deuteronomy 6:1
Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
Original Language Analysis
הַמִּצְוָ֗ה
Now these are the commandments
H4687
הַמִּצְוָ֗ה
Now these are the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
2 of 17
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
הַֽחֻקִּים֙
the statutes
H2706
הַֽחֻקִּים֙
the statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
3 of 17
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים
and the judgments
H4941
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים
and the judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 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
לְלַמֵּ֣ד
to teach
H3925
לְלַמֵּ֣ד
to teach
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת
you that ye might do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת
you that ye might do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
them in the land
H776
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
them in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֹֽבְרִ֥ים
whither ye go
H5674
עֹֽבְרִ֥ים
whither ye go
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
15 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:1Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.Deuteronomy 12:1These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.Deuteronomy 4:45These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,Deuteronomy 5:31But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.Leviticus 27:34These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.Deuteronomy 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.Deuteronomy 4:14And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.Numbers 36:13These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
Historical Context
This introduction precedes the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), the central confession of Jewish faith. Moses addresses the generation poised to enter Canaan, emphasizing that covenant obedience isn't optional but essential for successful settlement. The conquest and settlement period (Joshua-Judges) would repeatedly demonstrate this principle—obedience brought blessing, disobedience brought oppression, repentance brought deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the comprehensive nature of God's law (moral, ceremonial, civil) shape your view of biblical authority?
- What does the link between obedience and blessing teach about God's covenant administration?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses introduces the Shema section by stating that 'this is the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you.' The threefold designation—commandment (mitzvah), statutes (chuqqim), and judgments (mishpatim)—encompasses the full scope of Torah: moral law, ceremonial regulations, and civil ordinances. The purpose is explicitly stated: obedience in the land they're about to possess. This links covenant fidelity to land tenure—Israel's continued possession depends on covenant faithfulness, establishing a conditional element alongside unconditional promises.