King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:33 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:33 in the King James Version says “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33 · KJV


Context

31

But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.

32

Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

33

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you' employs the metaphor of walking for covenant obedience. The Hebrew 'halak' (walk) indicates lifestyle, habitual conduct, comprehensive life direction. The purpose clauses reveal obedience's blessings: 'that ye may live' (spiritual vitality), 'that it may be well with you' (prosperity), 'that ye may prolong your days' (longevity). These promises are covenantal—obedience brings blessing; disobedience, curse. Yet Israel's failure proved that law cannot save; only grace transforms hearts to walk in God's ways (Galatians 5:16, 25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This summary exhortation concludes Moses' rehearsal of the Ten Commandments and introduces detailed law exposition (Deuteronomy 6-26). The 'ways' include moral law (Ten Commandments), civil ordinances, and ceremonial regulations governing Israel's theocratic society in Canaan. Obedience would result in agricultural prosperity, military victory, and peace. Disobedience brought drought, defeat, and exile (Deuteronomy 28). Israel's tragic history validated that covenant blessing requires faithful obedience produced only through regeneration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the metaphor of 'walking' in God's ways emphasize that obedience involves comprehensive lifestyle, not isolated acts?
  2. What does Israel's inability to consistently walk in God's ways teach about humanity's need for divine grace to produce genuine obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
בְּכָל1 of 17
H3605

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

הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ2 of 17

in all the ways

H1870

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 17
H834

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

צִוָּ֜ה4 of 17

hath commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֧ה5 of 17

which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם6 of 17

your 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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם7 of 17
H853

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

תֵּלֵ֑כוּ8 of 17
H1980

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

לְמַ֤עַן9 of 17
H4616

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

תִּֽחְיוּן֙10 of 17

you that ye may live

H2421

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

וְט֣וֹב11 of 17

and that it may be well

H2895

to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense

לָכֶ֔ם12 of 17
H0
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם13 of 17

with you and that ye may prolong

H748

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

יָמִ֔ים14 of 17

your 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

בָּאָ֖רֶץ15 of 17

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

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

תִּֽירָשֽׁוּן׃17 of 17

which ye shall 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 5:33 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 5:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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