King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:28 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:28 in the King James Version says “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee f... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 12:28 · KJV


Context

26

Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose:

27

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.

28

Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

29

When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest them

30

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. by: Heb. after them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The concluding exhortation: 'Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.' The dual command—'observe' (shamar, שָׁמַר, guard/keep) and 'hear' (shama, שָׁמַע, listen/obey)—demands attentive obedience. The result: perpetual prosperity ('for ever') for faithful generations. The phrase 'good and right' (טוֹב וְיָשָׁר, tov veyashar) indicates both moral excellence and covenantal rectitude. This isn't arbitrary rule-keeping but conforming to God's character. Obedience brings blessing not magically but covenantally—God honors faithfulness to His word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes worship centralization instructions, transitioning to Canaanite destruction commands. The perpetual blessing promise is conditioned on perpetual obedience—which Israel failed to maintain. Exile proved the converse: disobedience brings curse. However, God's faithfulness outlasts Israel's failure—the Davidic line preserved through exile, culminating in Christ, ensures ultimate blessing for faithful remnant (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27; 11:5). God's promises ultimately rest on His faithfulness, not ours.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that 'good and right' means conforming to God's character affect our approach to obedience?
  2. What is the relationship between observing God's commands and experiencing His blessing?
  3. How do New Testament promises of eternal life fulfill the Old Testament's 'go well with you forever' blessings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
שְׁמֹ֣ר1 of 23

Observe

H8104

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

וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֗2 of 23

and hear

H8085

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

אֵ֚ת3 of 23
H853

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

כָּל4 of 23
H3605

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

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים5 of 23

all these words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֔לֶּה6 of 23
H428

these or those

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 23
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֖י8 of 23
H595

i

מְצַוֶּ֑ךָּ9 of 23

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְמַעַן֩10 of 23
H4616

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

יִיטַ֨ב11 of 23

thee that it may go well

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לְךָ֜12 of 23
H0
וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ13 of 23

with thee and with thy 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

אַֽחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙14 of 23

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

עַד15 of 23

thee for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֔ם16 of 23

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

כִּ֤י17 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַֽעֲשֶׂה֙18 of 23

when thou doest

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַטּ֣וֹב19 of 23

that which is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְהַיָּשָׁ֔ר20 of 23

and right

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינֵ֖י21 of 23

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֥ה22 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃23 of 23

thy 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


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 12:28 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 12:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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