Deuteronomy 6:17-25

17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.
18 Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors,
19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.
20 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?”
21 tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
22 Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.
23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors.
24 The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

Deuteronomy 6:17-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 6

In this chapter Moses proceeds on in his exhortations to the people of Israel, to attend to the commandments of God, that it might be well with them, De 6:1-3, and begins with a principal and fundamental article of religion, which deserved their first and chief regard, the unity of God, and the love of him, De 6:4,5, which they were carefully to instinct their children in, and ever to be mindful of themselves, De 6:6-9, and when they were come into the land of Canaan, and into a plentiful enjoyment of all good things in it, they are exhorted to be careful not to forget the Lord, their kind benefactor; but to fear him, serve him, and not go after other gods, since he is jealous of his honour and worship, De 6:10-15 and not to tempt him, as they had done, but diligently keep, his commandments, that it might be well with them in that land, De 6:16-19, and when their children inquired the reason and meaning of such testimonies, statutes, and judgments, that were enjoined them, they were to give them the history of their case in Egypt, their deliverance from thence, the wonders that were wrought for them, and the introduction of them into the good land of Canaan; and to let them know that these commands were some of them in commemoration of these blessings; and by these they were laid under obligation to regard them all, and the rather, since they were not only for the glory of God, but for their own good, De 6:20-25.

Cross References 11

  • 1. S Leviticus 26:3
  • 2. Deuteronomy 11:22; Psalms 119:4,56,100,134,168">Psalms 119:4,56,100,134,168; Psalms 119:4
  • 3. 2 Kings 18:6; Isaiah 36:7; Isaiah 38:3
  • 4. Deuteronomy 4:40
  • 5. Exodus 23:27; Joshua 21:44; Psalms 78:53; Psalms 107:2; Psalms 136:24
  • 6. S Exodus 10:2; Exodus 13:14
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 4:34
  • 8. Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalms 86:11; Jeremiah 32:39
  • 9. Psalms 27:12; Psalms 41:2; S Romans 10:5
  • 10. Psalms 103:18; Psalms 119:34,55
  • 11. Deuteronomy 24:13; S Romans 9:31; Romans 10:3,5
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.