And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are today.
- KJV And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
- BSB And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, that we may always be prosperous and preserved, as we are to this day.
- NKJV And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
- NASB So the Lord commanded us to follow all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our own good always and for our survival, as it is today.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God gave his statutes for Israel's good and to teach reverent fear, that they might be preserved alive. His commands are for human flourishing, not arbitrary burden.
Overview
Moses explains the purpose of the law: it is given for Israel's lasting good and to cultivate the fear of the LORD. Obedience and life go together, reflecting God's gracious care. The law's goodness ultimately points to Christ, who fulfills it perfectly and gives life to all who trust him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Jer 32:39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good, and of their children after them:
- Ps 41:2Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.
- Deut 10:12–13Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
- Isa 3:10Tell the righteous “Good!” For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
- Deut 4:1Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that you may live, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you.
- Deut 8:1You shall observe to do all the commandments which I command you today, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers.
- Rom 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”
- Rom 6:21–22What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
- Matt 6:33But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
- Deut 4:4But you who were faithful to Yahweh your God are all alive today.
- Job 35:7–8If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
- Deut 8:3He humbled you, and allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know; that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of Yahweh’s mouth.
- Ps 66:9who preserves our life among the living, and doesn’t allow our feet to be moved.
- Prov 9:12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
- Prov 22:4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 6:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.