Deuteronomy 6:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּירָ֜א
That thou mightest fear
H3372
תִּירָ֜א
That thou mightest fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 23
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 23
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
לִ֠שְׁמֹר
to keep
H8104
לִ֠שְׁמֹר
to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמִצְוֹתָיו֮
and his commandments
H4687
וּמִצְוֹתָיו֮
and his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
10 of 23
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
H1121
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
H1121
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
H1121
בִּנְךָ֔
and thy son's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יָמֶֽיךָ׃
all the days
H3117
יָמֶֽיךָ׃
all the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
19 of 23
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
חַיֶּ֑יךָ
of thy life
H2416
חַיֶּ֑יךָ
of thy life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
20 of 23
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּלְמַ֖עַן
H4616
וּלְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
Cross References
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.Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.Deuteronomy 13:4Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.Exodus 20:20And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.Psalms 128:1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.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.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.Psalms 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.Deuteronomy 10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
Historical Context
Longevity in the Promised Land was both individual (personal blessing for obedience) and national (Israel's continued existence in Canaan). Israel's later exile to Babylon fulfilled the negative—disobedience led to expulsion from the land. The intergenerational emphasis shows God's design for covenant faithfulness to be preserved through family structures, not merely institutional religion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'fear of the LORD' differ from the world's concept of freedom and autonomy?
- What practical steps can you take to ensure biblical faith is transmitted to the next generation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The purpose of the law is relational: 'That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God.' Biblical 'fear' (Hebrew yirah) isn't terror but reverential awe that shapes conduct. The threefold audience—'thou, thy son, and thy son's son'—emphasizes intergenerational covenant transmission. The promise of prolonged days (longevity) connects obedience to blessing, a repeated theme in Deuteronomy. The 'fear of the LORD' produces life, contrasting with modern autonomy that promises freedom but delivers death.