Deuteronomy 6:1
What does Deuteronomy 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:1 means
Moses begins this chapter by reminding Israel that the commands, statutes, and ordinances given by God are not arbitrary rules, but divine instructions for their well-being in the land they are about to enter. These laws are meant to be actively *done* and *lived out* within the promised land, establishing a righteous society. The emphasis here is on the practical application of God's Word in every facet of their national and individual lives once they cross the Jordan River.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now this is the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now this is the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now these are the orders and the laws and the decisions which the Lord your God gave me for your teaching, so that you might do them in the land of your heritage to which you are going:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And this <FI>is<Fi> the command, the statutes and the judgments which Jehovah your God hath commanded to teach you, to do in the land which ye are passing over thither to possess it,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do them in the land into which you pass over to possess it:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah yourGod commanded to teach you, that ye may do them in the land whereunto ye pass over to possess it,
Context
This verse serves as an introduction, setting the stage for the rest of Deuteronomy chapter 6. It broadly states the purpose of the upcoming commands—to be lived out in the promised land. What follows in verses 2 and 3 specifies *why* these commands are given and what benefits will ensue from their obedience, leading into the central declaration of God's oneness.
v.1This passage
v.2that thou mightest fear Jehovah 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 4:45
these are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt,
- Numbers 36:13
These are the commandments and the ordinances which Jehovah commanded by Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
- Deuteronomy 5:31
But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
- Deuteronomy 12:1
These are the statutes and the ordinances which ye shall observe to do in the land which Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
- Deuteronomy 4:1
And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers, giveth you.
- Deuteronomy 4:5
Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Jehovah my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the midst of the land whither ye go in to possess it.
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