Deuteronomy 6:17
What does Deuteronomy 6:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:17 means
Israel is commanded to diligently, meaning meticulously and wholeheartedly, keep all of God's commandments, testimonies, and statutes. This isn't a casual recommendation but an earnest imperative for comprehensive obedience. Each category of law—commandments (general instructions), testimonies (covenant principles), and statutes (specific decrees)—is binding. The emphasis on diligence highlights the seriousness with which God expects His people to adhere to His revealed will in all areas of life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep with care the orders of the Lord your God, and his rules and his laws which he has given you;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862ye do diligently keep the commands of Jehovah your God, and His testimonies, and His statutes which He hath commanded thee,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Keep the precepts of the Lord thy God, and the testimonies and ceremonies which he hath commanded thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah yourGod, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Context
After the warnings against forgetting God (verse 12), worshipping other gods (verses 14-15), and testing Him (verse 16), this verse provides a positive and encompassing command. It calls for diligent observance of *all* God's laws. This general imperative sets the stage for the promise of well-being and successful possession of the land in verse 18, linking faithful obedience to covenant blessings.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 11:22
For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
- Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commandedus thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
- 2 Peter 3:14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
- Hebrews 6:11
And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:
- Exodus 15:26
and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee.
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