Deuteronomy 6:17
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Original Language Analysis
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּן
Ye shall diligently
H8104
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּן
Ye shall diligently
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּן
Ye shall diligently
H8104
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּן
Ye shall diligently
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוֹ֖ת
the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹ֖ת
the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
4 of 10
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 10
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
וְחֻקָּ֖יו
and his statutes
H2706
וְחֻקָּ֖יו
and his statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
8 of 10
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
Cross References
Psalms 119:4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.Deuteronomy 11:22For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Historical Context
Moses repeatedly exhorted Israel to comprehensive obedience before entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 4:5-6, 5:1, 6:1-2, 7:11). The tripartite description (commandments, testimonies, statutes) encompasses all covenant stipulations governing worship, justice, family life, economics, and warfare. Israel's history demonstrated that partial obedience equals disobedience—Saul's incomplete destruction of Amalekites cost him the kingdom (1 Samuel 15:1-23). God requires whole-hearted obedience to all revealed will.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the intensive construction 'diligently keep' challenge casual or selective obedience to God's commands?
- What does the comprehensive scope (commandments, testimonies, statutes) teach about God's lordship over every area of life?
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Analysis & Commentary
The emphatic command 'Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God' employs intensive Hebrew construction ('shamar tishmoru'—keep ye shall surely keep) demanding scrupulous obedience. The comprehensive scope 'his testimonies, and his statutes' covers all revealed will: moral law (testimonies of God's character), ceremonial regulations (statutes), and civil ordinances. Diligent keeping requires continuous attention, not sporadic effort. The phrase 'which he hath commanded thee' grounds obligation in divine authority. This verse illustrates the Reformed understanding that sanctification requires disciplined obedience to all Scripture, not selective compliance with preferred commands.