Deuteronomy 6:2

Authorized King James Version

That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְמַ֨עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#2
תִּירָ֜א
That thou mightest fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
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
#6
לִ֠שְׁמֹר
to keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
חֻקֹּתָ֣יו
all his statutes
a statute
#10
וּמִצְוֹתָיו֮
and his commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אָֽנֹכִ֣י
i
#13
מְצַוֶּךָ֒
which I command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#14
אַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#15
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#18
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
יָמֶֽיךָ׃
all the days
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
#20
חַיֶּ֑יךָ
of thy life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#21
וּלְמַ֖עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#22
יַֽאֲרִכֻ֥ן
may be prolonged
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
#23
יָמֶֽיךָ׃
all the days
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of life reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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