Deuteronomy 6:3
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֤
Hear
H8085
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֤
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
therefore O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
therefore O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֣
and observe
H8104
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֣
and observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִיטַ֣ב
it that it may be well
H3190
יִיטַ֣ב
it that it may be well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
6 of 20
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּרְבּ֖וּן
with thee and that ye may increase
H7235
תִּרְבּ֖וּן
with thee and that ye may increase
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
9 of 20
to increase (in whatever respect)
מְאֹ֑ד
mightily
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
mightily
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֨ר
hath promised
H1696
דִּבֶּ֨ר
hath promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
12 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֜ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 20
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
אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
of thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
of thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
זָבַ֥ת
that floweth
H2100
זָבַ֥ת
that floweth
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
18 of 20
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
Cross References
Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Genesis 28:14And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.Genesis 26:4And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;Genesis 15:5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Acts 7:17But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:Exodus 1:7And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.Genesis 13:16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Historical Context
Canaan's fertility contrasted sharply with Egypt's dependence on Nile irrigation and the wilderness's barrenness. The land's abundance would be a constant reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. However, prosperity also brought spiritual danger—forgetting God in times of abundance (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). Israel's history shows cycles of obedience/blessing and disobedience/judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does prosperity tempt you to forget dependence on God?
- What does God's promise of abundant blessing teach about His desire for His people's flourishing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses urges 'Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it.' The imperative to hear (shema) appears again, emphasizing that hearing must lead to doing. The promised result—'that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily'—connects obedience to flourishing. The description of Canaan as 'a land flowing with milk and honey' uses covenant language from God's promise to the patriarchs (Exodus 3:8). Milk and honey represent agricultural abundance—milk from livestock, honey from date palms and bees—indicating a land capable of supporting numerous people.