King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 30:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 30:20 in the King James Version says “That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for h... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Deuteronomy 30:20 · KJV


Context

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.

19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20

That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses commands: 'That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.' Three imperatives—love, obey, cleave—define covenant relationship. The Hebrew dabaq (cleave) describes marriage-like intimacy (Genesis 2:24), suggesting exclusive devotion. The rationale: 'he is thy life'—God isn't merely life-giver but life itself. Relationship with Him is the essence of existence, not merely one aspect of it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes Moses' covenant renewal address. The three imperatives—love, obey, cleave—summarize the entire law. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37), showing these themes' centrality. Israel's tragedy was repeatedly violating this—loving other gods, disobeying commands, cleaving to idols. The exile fulfilled the warning—failure to cleave to God meant expulsion from the land. New Testament believers experience this through union with Christ (John 15:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do love, obedience, and clinging to God relate to each other in your spiritual life?
  2. What does the statement 'he is thy life' mean practically for daily priorities and affections?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לְאַֽהֲבָה֙1 of 25

That thou mayest love

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֶת2 of 25
H853

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

יְהוָ֧ה3 of 25

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ4 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

לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ5 of 25

and that thou mayest obey

H8085

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

בְּקֹל֖וֹ6 of 25

his voice

H6963

a voice or sound

וּלְדָבְקָה7 of 25

and that thou mayest cleave

H1692

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

ב֑וֹ8 of 25
H0
כִּ֣י9 of 25
H3588

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

ה֤וּא10 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙11 of 25

unto him for he is thy life

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְאֹ֣רֶךְ12 of 25

and the length

H753

length

יָמֶ֔יךָ13 of 25

of thy 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

לָשֶׁ֣בֶת14 of 25

that thou mayest dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל15 of 25
H5921

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

הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה16 of 25

in the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר֩17 of 25
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֨ע18 of 25

sware

H7650

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

יְהוָ֧ה19 of 25

the LORD

H3068

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

לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ20 of 25

unto thy fathers

H1

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

לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם21 of 25

to Abraham

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֥ק22 of 25

to Isaac

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב23 of 25

and to Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לָתֵ֥ת24 of 25

to give

H5414

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

לָהֶֽם׃25 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)


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 30:20 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 30:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study