King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 13:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 13:18 in the King James Version says “When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 13:18 · KJV


Context

16

And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.

17

And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers; cursed: or, devoted

18

When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The condition: 'When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.' Covenant blessing depends on covenant obedience—'hearken' (shama, שָׁמַע, hear/obey) and 'keep' (shamar, שָׁמַר, guard/observe) all commands. The standard: 'right in the eyes of the LORD'—divine perspective, not human judgment. This verse concludes chapter 13's warnings with positive exhortation: obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curse. The choice remains perpetually before Israel. Faithfulness to revealed truth maintains covenant relationship; apostasy destroys it. Every generation faces this choice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This conditional structure permeates Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 28 details blessings and curses; chapter 30 offers restoration after judgment). Israel's history validated this: obedience under Joshua → conquest; apostasy under Judges → oppression; faithfulness under David/Solomon → empire; apostasy → divided kingdom → exile. The pattern proved reliable. New Testament applies this spiritually: obedience to Christ brings eternal life; rejection brings eternal judgment. The choice remains—blessing through faith or curse through unbelief.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we cultivate consistent obedience 'to all God's commandments' rather than selective compliance?
  2. What is the relationship between hearing God's voice and doing what is right in His eyes?
  3. How does understanding obedience as prerequisite for blessing affect our approach to Christian living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּ֣י1 of 18
H3588

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

תִשְׁמַ֗ע2 of 18

When thou shalt hearken

H8085

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

בְּקוֹל֙3 of 18

to the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֥ה4 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃5 of 18

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

לִשְׁמֹר֙6 of 18

to keep

H8104

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

אֶת7 of 18
H853

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

כָּל8 of 18
H3605

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

מִצְוֹתָ֔יו9 of 18

all his commandments

H4687

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

אֲשֶׁ֛ר10 of 18
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֥י11 of 18
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֖12 of 18

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֑וֹם13 of 18

thee 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

לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙14 of 18

to do

H6213

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

הַיָּשָׁ֔ר15 of 18

that which is right

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינֵ֖י16 of 18

in the eyes

H5869

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

יְהוָ֥ה17 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃18 of 18

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 13:18 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 13:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study