Deuteronomy 6:24
What does Deuteronomy 6:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:24 means
Jehovah commanded all these statutes for Israel's ultimate good, ensuring their well-being and preservation. The "fear" of God, implying reverent obedience, is not burdensome but beneficial, intended to keep them alive and prosperous, just as they are "at this day." This highlights God's benevolent intention behind the law—it's a gift designed to guide them into a flourishing life, rather than an arbitrary imposition, securing their covenant relationship and continued existence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Lord gave us orders to keep all these laws, in the fear of the Lord our God, so that it might be well for us for ever, and that he might keep us from death, as he has done to this day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jehovah commandeth us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God, for good to ourselves all the days, to keep us alive, as <FI>at<Fi> this day;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Lord commanded that we should do all these ordinances, and should fear the Lord our God, that it might be well with us all the days of our life, as it is at this day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah ourGod, for our good continually, that he might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
Context
Having recounted the historical redemption from Egypt and the purpose of inheriting the land (verses 21-23), this verse now explains *why* God commanded the statutes. It frames the law as being for their good and preservation. This explanation of the law's benevolent purpose then leads into the concluding statement in verse 25, which defines righteousness for Israel as observing and doing these very commands before Jehovah.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Isriches, and honor, and life.
- Romans 6:21
What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
- Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live.
- Romans 10:5
For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.
- Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- Job 35:7
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand?
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