King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:21 in the King James Version says “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to g...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.”

Deuteronomy 11:21 · KJV

Context

19

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

20

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

21

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

22

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

23

Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

Read Deuteronomy 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The purpose clause: 'that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.' Obedience brings longevity—both individual and national. The poetic phrase 'as the days of heaven upon the earth' (כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם עַל־הָאָרֶץ) suggests permanence: as long as heaven endures over earth, so will obedient Israel endure in the land. This recalls the Noahic covenant's stability (Genesis 8:22). However, history proved conditional—disobedience led to exile. New Testament reapplies this to eternal life: obedient faith leads to imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal promises (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18-21) guaranteed land possession to Abraham's descendants. This verse reaffirms that covenant while clarifying the conditional nature: permanent possession requires generational obedience. Israel's exile (722 BC, 586 BC) demonstrated covenant curses' reality. Restoration under Ezra-Nehemiah showed God's faithfulness, but second-temple period Jews never achieved full independence until the nation's ultimate failure at AD 70.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does obedience to God's word lead to personal and family flourishing?
  2. What is the relationship between Old Testament land promises and New Testament spiritual inheritance?
  3. How can we apply the principle of generational faithfulness to our families and churches?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לְמַ֨עַן1 of 17
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יִרְבּ֤וּ2 of 17

“may be multiplied”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

כִּימֵ֥י3 of 17

“That your days”

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

כִּימֵ֥י4 of 17

“That your days”

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

בְנֵיכֶ֔ם5 of 17

“of your children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַ֚ל6 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה7 of 17

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 17
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֧ע9 of 17

“sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְהוָ֛ה10 of 17

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם11 of 17

“unto your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לָתֵ֣ת12 of 17

“to give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֑ם13 of 17
H0
כִּימֵ֥י14 of 17

“That your days”

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

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם15 of 17

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

עַל16 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָֽרֶץ׃17 of 17

“upon the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 11:21 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 11:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 3:2Proverbs 4:10Proverbs 9:11Psalms 72:5Deuteronomy 4:40Psalms 89:28-29

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