King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:40 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:40 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with th...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.”

Deuteronomy 4:40 · KJV

Context

38

To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

39

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

40

Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

41

Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising ;

42

That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares , and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee...

Moses draws the practical conclusion (veshamarta, וְשָׁמַרְתָּ, 'you shall keep/guard') from the theological foundation: because Yahweh alone is God (vv. 35, 39), His chuqqim (חֻקָּיו, 'statutes') and mitsvotav (מִצְוֺתָיו, 'commandments') demand obedience. Monotheism is not mere doctrine but lifestyle—acknowledging one God means following one Lord.

Obedience yields blessing: asher yitav lekha (אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ, 'that it may go well with you') and ulevanekha acharekha (וּלְבָנֶיךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ, 'and with your children after you'). Covenant faithfulness produces multigenerational flourishing. This is not mechanical prosperity gospel but covenantal consequence—the God who designed life also revealed how life works best. Obedience aligns us with reality; disobedience fights against the grain of the universe.

The phrase leha'arikh yamim (לְהַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים, 'prolong your days') promises longevity in the land. Israel's tenure depends on covenant fidelity, not military power or political alliances. The land is given kol hayamim (כָּל הַיָּמִים, 'forever/all days'), but possession remains conditional on obedience. This tension between unconditional promise and conditional enjoyment pervades Deuteronomy and finds resolution only in Christ, who fulfilled the law's demands perfectly on our behalf.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses connects obedience to statutes and commandments with multigenerational blessing in the land they were about to possess. Speaking from the plains of Moab, Moses emphasizes that successful settlement in Canaan depended not on military might but on covenant faithfulness. This theme dominates Deuteronomy's theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between obedience and blessing differ from a transactional 'prosperity gospel' approach to God?
  2. What does it mean that your choices today affect not only you but 'your children after you'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֞1 of 26

“Thou shalt keep”

H8104

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

אֶת2 of 26
H853

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

חֻקָּ֣יו3 of 26

“therefore his statutes”

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

וְאֶת4 of 26
H853

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

מִצְוֹתָ֗יו5 of 26

“and his commandments”

H4687

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 26
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֤י7 of 26
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֙8 of 26

“which I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיָּמִֽים׃9 of 26

“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

אֲשֶׁר֙10 of 26
H834

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

יִיטַ֣ב11 of 26

“that it may go well”

H3190

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

לְךָ֔12 of 26
H0
וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ13 of 26

“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

אַֽחֲרֶ֑יךָ14 of 26

“after”

H310

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

וּלְמַ֨עַן15 of 26
H4616

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

תַּֽאֲרִ֤יךְ16 of 26

“thee and that thou mayest prolong”

H748

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

הַיָּמִֽים׃17 of 26

“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

עַל18 of 26
H5921

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

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה19 of 26

“upon the earth”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר20 of 26
H834

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

יְהוָ֧ה21 of 26

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ22 of 26

“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

נֹתֵ֥ן23 of 26

“giveth”

H5414

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

לְךָ֖24 of 26
H0
כָּל25 of 26
H3605

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

הַיָּמִֽים׃26 of 26

“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

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 4:40 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 4:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 6:3Ephesians 6:3Leviticus 22:31Deuteronomy 12:25Deuteronomy 12:28Deuteronomy 5:16

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