Deuteronomy 6:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Observe diligently the mitzvot of ADONAI your God, and his instructions and laws which he has given you.

Berean Standard Bible:

You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.

American Standard Version:

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye shall diligently{H8104} keep{H8104} the commandments{H4687} of the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}, and his testimonies{H5713}, and his statutes{H2706}, which he hath commanded{H6680} thee.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 119:4

  • ¶ Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.

Deuteronomy 11:22

  • For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

2 Peter 1:5

  • ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:10

  • Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2 Peter 3:14

  • Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 Corinthians 15:58

  • ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Exodus 15:26

  • And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 6:17

Deuteronomy 6:17 is part of a larger discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book in the Pentateuch, the foundational texts of the Hebrew Bible. This verse is situated within a section often referred to as the Shema, which includes Deuteronomy 6:4-9, a central prayer in Judaism that emphasizes the oneness of God and the requirement to love Him wholeheartedly. The broader context of Deuteronomy is Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, reiterating the law and covenant that God established with them.

The verse itself, Deuteronomy 6:17, encapsulates a key theme of the book: the imperative for the Israelites to observe God's commandments meticulously. The text emphasizes a commitment to three aspects of divine instruction: the commandments, the testimonies, and the statutes. These encompass the moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that God has given to His people. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of religious and moral discipline, urging the Israelites to remain faithful to God's covenant.

In the historical context, this verse would have been particularly relevant as the Israelites stood on the brink of entering Canaan, a land with diverse cultures and religious practices. The exhortation to keep God's commandments diligently would have been a safeguard against assimilation and a means of maintaining their unique identity as God's chosen people. The call to obedience is not merely a legalistic demand but a response of love and faithfulness to the God who delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them at Sinai.

In summary, Deuteronomy 6:17 underscores the necessity for the Israelites to be vigilant in their adherence to God's laws, which is both a reflection of their commitment to God and a means of preserving their religious and national identity as they prepare to inhabit the Promised Land. This verse reflects the broader themes of Deuteronomy, which include covenant faithfulness, the importance of divine instruction, and the call to a holy and distinct life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H8104
    There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַר
    Transliteration: shâmar
    Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
  2. Strong's Number: H4687
    There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִצְוָה
    Transliteration: mitsvâh
    Pronunciation: mits-vaw'
    Description: from צָוָה; a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law); (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept.
  3. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  4. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  5. Strong's Number: H5713
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵדָה
    Transliteration: ʻêdâh
    Pronunciation: ay-daw'
    Description: feminine of עֵד in its techn. sense; testimony; testimony, witness. Compare עֵדָה.
  6. Strong's Number: H2706
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֹק
    Transliteration: chôq
    Pronunciation: khoke
    Description: from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task.
  7. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.