King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:13 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 11:13 · KJV


Context

11

But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

12

A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. careth: Heb. seeketh

13

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

14

That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

15

And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. send: Heb. give


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse begins the conditional clause: 'if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments.' The Hebrew shama shama (שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ, doubling for emphasis) means 'hear intently, obey carefully.' Covenant blessing depends on responsive obedience. The dual commands—'love the LORD your God' and 'serve him with all your heart and with all your soul'—echo the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Love isn't mere emotion but covenantal loyalty expressed through service. The 'heart' (lev, לֵב) represents mind, will, and affections; 'soul' (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ) represents life-force or being. Total devotion is required.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaties typically demanded loyalty to the suzerain, but Yahweh's covenant uniquely requires love—relationship, not merely political allegiance. This personalized covenant theology distinguished Israel's religion from transactional paganism. The command combines Deuteronomy 6:5 (love God) with 10:12 (serve God), showing love and service are inseparable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does genuine love for God manifest in obedient service?
  2. What does it mean to serve God with 'all' your heart and soul, leaving no room for divided loyalty?
  3. How can we cultivate deeper love for God rather than mere duty-driven obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם2 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙3 of 20

And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙4 of 20

And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל5 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִצְוֹתַ֔י6 of 20

unto my commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִ֛י8 of 20
H595

i

מְצַוֶּ֥ה9 of 20

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶתְכֶ֖ם10 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיּ֑וֹם11 of 20

you this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה12 of 20

to love

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֶת13 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֤ה14 of 20

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙15 of 20

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וּלְעָבְד֔וֹ16 of 20

and to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בְּכָל17 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לְבַבְכֶ֖ם18 of 20

him with all your heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּבְכָל19 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃20 of 20

and with all your soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 11:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 11:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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