King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 30:16 Mean?

Deuteronomy 30:16 in the King James Version says “In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his stat...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

Deuteronomy 30:16 · KJV

Love

Context

14

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

15

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

16

In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

17

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

18

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

Read Deuteronomy 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. This verse explains the life-path - love the LORD...walk in his ways...keep his commandments. These elements constitute covenant faithfulness that produces life and blessing.

The command to love the LORD thy God places relationship at the center. Obedience flows from love, not mere duty. Heart affection for God motivates and sustains faithful living. Jesus later identifies this as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37).

The promise that thou mayest live and multiply connects obedience with prosperity. This is not health-and-wealth gospel but covenant principle that faithfulness produces flourishing while unfaithfulness produces destruction.

The specific application the LORD...shall bless thee in the land ties blessing to Canaan possession. Covenant obedience ensures secure tenure in the Promised Land; disobedience results in exile.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's history validated this principle repeatedly - faithful periods brought blessing and security; apostasy brought military defeat and eventually exile. The covenant blessings and curses operated as Moses predicted.

The centrality of love distinguishes biblical faith from mere legalism - God desires heartfelt devotion, not grudging compliance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does love for God motivate and sustain obedience?
  2. What is the relationship between covenant faithfulness and prosperity?
  3. How is covenant blessing different from health-and-wealth prosperity gospel?
  4. Why did secure land tenure depend on obedience?
  5. What distinguishes heart devotion from mere external compliance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
אֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 25
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֣י2 of 25
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֮3 of 25

“In that I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּוֹם֒4 of 25

“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

לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה5 of 25

“to love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֶת6 of 25
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 25

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ8 of 25

“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

לָלֶ֣כֶת9 of 25
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בִּדְרָכָ֔יו10 of 25

“in his ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר11 of 25

“and to keep”

H8104

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

מִצְוֹתָ֥יו12 of 25

“his commandments”

H4687

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

וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו13 of 25

“and his statutes”

H2708

a statute

וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו14 of 25

“and his judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וְחָיִ֣יתָ15 of 25

“that thou mayest live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְרָבִ֔יתָ16 of 25

“and multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙17 of 25

“shall bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֣ה18 of 25

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ19 of 25

“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

בָּאָ֕רֶץ20 of 25

“thee in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר21 of 25
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה22 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָא23 of 25

“whither thou goest”

H935

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

שָׁ֖מָּה24 of 25
H8033

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

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃25 of 25

“to 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 30:16 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 30:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 22:37-38Deuteronomy 30:61 John 5:2-3Deuteronomy 6:5John 14:211 Corinthians 7:19

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