Deuteronomy 8:1

Authorized King James Version

All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּצְוָ֗ה

H4687

All the commandments

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִ֧י

H595

מְצַוְּךָ֛

H6680

which I command

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֖וֹם

H3117

thee this day

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

תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן

H8104

shall ye observe

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת

H6213

to do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְמַ֨עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#10

תִּֽחְי֜וּן

H2421

that ye may live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#11

וּרְבִיתֶ֗ם

H7235

and multiply

to increase (in whatever respect)

#12

וּבָאתֶם֙

H935

and go in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#13

וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם

H3423

and possess

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

#14

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

נִשְׁבַּ֥ע

H7650

sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#18

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

which the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#19

לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

unto your fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Deuteronomy chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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Deuteronomy 8:1

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources