Deuteronomy 6:13
What does Deuteronomy 6:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:13 means
This verse reiterates the core demand of the covenant: Israel must exclusively fear and serve Jehovah their God. To "fear" God implies deep reverence, humble submission, and obedience to His will. To "serve" Him means to devote their lives to His purposes and worship. The command to "swear by his name" signifies acknowledging His absolute authority and truthfulness in all their affirmations and commitments, thus publicly recognizing Him as their sole sovereign.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; and him shalt thou serve, and shalt swear by his name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; and him shalt thou serve, and shalt swear by his name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let the fear of the Lord your God be in your hearts, and be his servants, taking your oaths by his name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jehovah thy God thou dost fear, and Him thou dost serve, and by His name thou dost swear;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Take heed diligently lest thou forget the Lord, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and shalt serve him only, and thou shalt swear by his name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou shalt fear Jehovah thyGod, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Context
Immediately following the warning not to forget God amidst prosperity (verse 12), this verse presents the positive command to actively fear, serve, and honor Jehovah alone. It reinforces the exclusive nature of their relationship with God. This imperative directly precedes the explicit prohibition against following other gods in verse 14, making clear that their devotion must be singular and undivided.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
- Deuteronomy 13:4
Ye shall walk after Jehovah your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
- Deuteronomy 6:2
that 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.
- Jeremiah 4:2
and thou shalt swear, As Jehovah liveth, in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
- Jeremiah 5:7
How can I pardon thee? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the harlots’ houses;
- Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
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