King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 6:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 6:2 in the King James Version says “That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Deuteronomy 6:2 · KJV


Context

1

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: go: Heb. pass over

2

That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

3

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The purpose of the law is relational: 'That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God.' Biblical 'fear' (Hebrew yirah) isn't terror but reverential awe that shapes conduct. The threefold audience—'thou, thy son, and thy son's son'—emphasizes intergenerational covenant transmission. The promise of prolonged days (longevity) connects obedience to blessing, a repeated theme in Deuteronomy. The 'fear of the LORD' produces life, contrasting with modern autonomy that promises freedom but delivers death.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Longevity in the Promised Land was both individual (personal blessing for obedience) and national (Israel's continued existence in Canaan). Israel's later exile to Babylon fulfilled the negative—disobedience led to expulsion from the land. The intergenerational emphasis shows God's design for covenant faithfulness to be preserved through family structures, not merely institutional religion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'fear of the LORD' differ from the world's concept of freedom and autonomy?
  2. What practical steps can you take to ensure biblical faith is transmitted to the next generation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לְמַ֨עַן1 of 23
H4616

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

תִּירָ֜א2 of 23

That thou mightest fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת3 of 23
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 23

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ5 of 23

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

לִ֠שְׁמֹר6 of 23

to keep

H8104

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

אֶת7 of 23
H853

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

כָּל8 of 23
H3605

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

חֻקֹּתָ֣יו9 of 23

all his statutes

H2708

a statute

וּמִצְוֹתָיו֮10 of 23

and his commandments

H4687

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 23
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֣י12 of 23
H595

i

מְצַוֶּךָ֒13 of 23

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אַתָּה֙14 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בִּנְךָ֔15 of 23

and thy son's

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

בִּנְךָ֔16 of 23

and thy son's

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

בִּנְךָ֔17 of 23

and thy son's

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

כֹּ֖ל18 of 23
H3605

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

יָמֶֽיךָ׃19 of 23

all the 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

חַיֶּ֑יךָ20 of 23

of 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

וּלְמַ֖עַן21 of 23
H4616

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

יַֽאֲרִכֻ֥ן22 of 23

may be prolonged

H748

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

יָמֶֽיךָ׃23 of 23

all the 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


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 6:2 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 6:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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