King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:8 in the King James Version says “Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;”

Deuteronomy 11:8 · KJV

Context

6

And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel: substance: or, living substance which followed them was: Heb. was at their feet

7

But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.

8

Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

9

And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

10

For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

Read Deuteronomy 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments' connects obedience directly to covenant history. The Hebrew shamar (שָׁמַר, 'keep/guard') implies careful, diligent, protective observance. The purpose clause 'that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land' links obedience to conquest success. This isn't magical thinking but covenant theology: God's blessing on obedient Israel would include victory over enemies. Military strength flows from spiritual faithfulness. The conquest depends not primarily on superior weapons or numbers but covenant loyalty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaty documents (Hittite suzerainty treaties, 14th-13th centuries BC) similarly connected vassal loyalty to prosperity and protection. God's covenant follows this recognizable form but with crucial differences: Yahweh had already redeemed Israel before demanding obedience (grace precedes law), and the relationship was personal, not merely political. Israel's strength wasn't autonomous but derived from covenant blessing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's past faithfulness motivate present obedience?
  2. What is the connection between spiritual faithfulness and effectiveness in life's battles?
  3. How does grace preceding law affect our motivation for obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙1 of 19

“Therefore shall ye keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

כָּל3 of 19
H3605

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

הַמִּצְוָ֔ה4 of 19

“all the commandments”

H4687

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 19

“which”

H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֥י6 of 19
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֖7 of 19

“I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֑וֹם8 of 19

“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

לְמַ֣עַן9 of 19
H4616

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

תֶּֽחֶזְק֗וּ10 of 19

“that ye may be strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וּבָאתֶם֙11 of 19

“and go in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃12 of 19

“and possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת13 of 19
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ14 of 19

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 19

“which”

H834

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

אַתֶּ֛ם16 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹֽבְרִ֥ים17 of 19

“whither ye go”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

שָׁ֖מָּה18 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃19 of 19

“and possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 6:10Joshua 1:6-7Philippians 4:13Ephesians 3:16Deuteronomy 31:232 Corinthians 12:9-10

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 11 →

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