King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:9 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:9 in the King James Version says “And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their see...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 11:9 · KJV

Context

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:

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:

Read Deuteronomy 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The land Israel will 'go over Jordan to possess' requires active conquest—'possess' (yarash, יָרַשׁ) means to dispossess current inhabitants and take ownership. This wasn't vacant territory but land requiring military action under divine warrant. God had promised the land to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21), but fulfillment required Israel's obedient participation. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility intersect in conquest. God's promise guarantees success, but Israel must still fight. This paradox appears throughout Scripture: God ordains ends AND means.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan crossing (Joshua 3-4) would miraculously repeat the Red Sea event, confirming God's continued presence and power. The conquest, though militarily challenging against fortified Canaanite cities, was divinely ordained judgment on Canaanite wickedness (Genesis 15:16—'the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full') and fulfillment of patriarchal promises given 600+ years earlier.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God typically fulfill His promises through human obedience rather than apart from it?
  2. What 'promised land' blessings in your spiritual life require active faith and effort to possess?
  3. How do we balance trusting God's sovereignty while taking personal responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּלְמַ֨עַן1 of 16
H4616

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

תַּֽאֲרִ֤יכוּ2 of 16

“And that ye may prolong”

H748

to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)

יָמִים֙3 of 16

“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

עַל4 of 16
H5921

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

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה5 of 16

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר֩6 of 16
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֨ע7 of 16

“sware”

H7650

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

יְהוָ֧ה8 of 16

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֛ם9 of 16

“unto your fathers”

H1

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

לָתֵ֥ת10 of 16

“to give”

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם11 of 16
H0
וּלְזַרְעָ֑ם12 of 16

“unto them and to their seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֶ֛רֶץ13 of 16

“a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

זָבַ֥ת14 of 16

“that floweth”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

חָלָ֖ב15 of 16

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃16 of 16

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

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 11:9 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 11:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 3:8Deuteronomy 4:40Deuteronomy 6:2Deuteronomy 5:16Deuteronomy 9:5Ezekiel 20:6

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 11 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes