Deuteronomy 10:13

KJV

To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

KJV (with Strong's)

To keep {H8104} the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068}, and his statutes {H2708}, which I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117} for thy good {H2896}?

Complete Jewish Bible

to obey, for your own good, the mitzvot and regulations of ADONAI which I am giving you today.

Berean Standard Bible

and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?

American Standard Version

to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 10:13 encapsulates the profound truth that God's commands and statutes are not burdensome impositions but benevolent guidelines, meticulously designed for the ultimate well-being and flourishing of His people. This verse reveals the compassionate heart of the Lord, demonstrating that His divine instructions are always given with humanity's truest good in mind, serving as a pathway to a life of blessing, peace, and wholeness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before their entry into the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," functions as a renewed covenant instruction, urging the people to remember God's mighty acts of deliverance and His unwavering faithfulness. Immediately preceding this verse, Moses has reminded them of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, declaring that "the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is" [Deuteronomy 10:14](/deuteronomy/10-14 "Deuteronomy 10:14 - God's Sovereignty Over All Creation"). He also recalls God's unique and gracious choice of Israel as His treasured possession, despite their smallness and stubbornness [Deuteronomy 10:15](/deuteronomy/10-15 "Deuteronomy 10:15 - God's Love and Choice of Israel"). Within this grand narrative of divine power, election, and covenant renewal, the call to obedience in verse 13 is framed not as a demand from a distant, arbitrary ruler, but as an invitation from a loving, sovereign Father who desires only the best for His children.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood at a pivotal moment in their history, poised to enter Canaan after forty years of wilderness wandering. This generation had not personally witnessed the Exodus or the giving of the Law at Sinai, though they lived under its provisions. Moses' discourses in Deuteronomy served to re-establish the covenant with this new generation, preparing them for life in the land. In the ancient Near East, covenants were common, often taking the form of suzerain-vassal treaties where a powerful king (suzerain) would dictate terms to a lesser king or people (vassal). While God's covenant with Israel shared some structural similarities, it was fundamentally distinct. Unlike typical treaties driven by mutual benefit or conquest, God's covenant with Israel was initiated by His redemptive love and grace, not by Israel's merit. The "commandments" and "statutes" were not arbitrary rules but the very stipulations of this unique, gracious covenant, designed to order their society, maintain their distinct identity, and ensure their flourishing as God's holy people in a land surrounded by pagan nations.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 10:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent is **Obedience for Blessing**, emphasizing that God's commandments are not arbitrary rules or tests of loyalty, but rather guidelines inherently designed "for thy good." This concept is a recurring motif, powerfully articulated in [Deuteronomy 6:24](/deuteronomy/6-24 "Deuteronomy 6:24 - God's Commands for Our Good"), which states, "And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day." Another crucial theme is **Divine Benevolence**, highlighting God's character as a loving, caring, and wise Father. His commands flow from His perfect wisdom and His desire for His people to experience true life, joy, and prosperity, rather than harm or hardship, as seen in His provision throughout the wilderness journey [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Provision in the Wilderness"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel. Keeping God's commandments is an active demonstration of Israel's commitment to the covenant established with the LORD, signifying their trust in His wisdom and His plans for their future in the land He promised to their ancestors [Deuteronomy 7:7-9](/deuteronomy/7-7 "God's Covenant Love for Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvot'_):** This term refers to the specific divine instructions, often moral or ethical in nature, that God has given to His people. They are not merely suggestions but authoritative directives from the sovereign Lord, forming the core of the covenant relationship. The *mitzvot* are comprehensive, covering all aspects of life—worship, social justice, personal conduct, and community well-being.
* **Statutes (Hebrew, _chukkim'_):** These refer to the ordinances, decrees, or prescribed rules, often ritualistic or ceremonial, that are "engraved" or "fixed." They represent the established order and boundaries set by God, serving to distinguish Israel from other nations and to provide a framework for their life of holiness and worship. While distinct from "commandments," they are equally binding and contribute to the overall divine law.
* **For thy good (Hebrew, _le'tov lach'_):** This crucial phrase translates the Hebrew *tov* (טוֹב), meaning "good," "beneficial," "pleasant," "prosperous," or "advantageous." It signifies not just moral goodness in an abstract sense, but concrete well-being, wholeness, flourishing, and true advantage in all aspects of life—physical, spiritual, communal, and material. It emphasizes that God's commands are inherently designed to lead to a life of genuine prosperity and blessing, both individually and corporately, within the promised land and beyond.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes":** This opening phrase establishes the core expectation: active obedience to God's revealed will. "Keeping" implies not just intellectual assent but diligent observance, guarding, and living by both the broad moral principles ("commandments") and the specific prescribed ordinances ("statutes"). This obedience is directed towards "the LORD," emphasizing that the source and authority of these laws are divine, not human.
* **"which I command thee this day":** This clause highlights the immediacy and personal nature of the instruction. Moses, as God's mediator, is delivering these commands "this day," making them current and relevant for the generation standing before him. It underscores the ongoing nature of the covenant and the continuous call to obedience for each successive generation. The "I" refers to God, speaking through Moses, reinforcing divine authority.
* **"for thy good?":** The KJV's use of a question mark here is a stylistic choice that emphasizes the rhetorical nature of the statement. It's not a genuine question seeking an answer, but a powerful affirmation. The commands are unequivocally "for thy good." This phrase encapsulates the benevolent purpose behind all divine legislation, revealing God's ultimate desire for the flourishing and well-being of His people. It reframes obedience from a burden to a blessing, from a duty to a delightful pathway to life.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 10:13 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, implied by the KJV's punctuation, which serves not to elicit an answer but to make a forceful assertion: God's commands are undeniably for Israel's good. This device engages the reader/listener, compelling them to affirm the self-evident truth of God's benevolent intent. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "commandments" and "statutes," common in biblical law, which together encompass the entirety of God's revealed will. This pairing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of divine instruction. Furthermore, there is a clear **Emphasis** on the beneficial outcome of obedience through the repeated phrase "for thy good" (or similar expressions) found throughout Deuteronomy (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:24](/deuteronomy/6-24 "Deuteronomy 6:24 - God's Commands for Our Good"), [Deuteronomy 4:40](/deuteronomy/4-40 "Deuteronomy 4:40 - Keeping God's Statutes for Your Good")). This repetition reinforces the central message that God's law is a gift, not a burden, designed for human flourishing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 10:13 offers a foundational theological insight into the nature of God's law and His relationship with humanity. It challenges the common misconception that divine commands are arbitrary or restrictive, instead revealing them as expressions of God's perfect wisdom and profound love. This verse establishes the principle that true human flourishing—holistic well-being, peace, and prosperity—is intrinsically linked to aligning one's life with God's revealed will. It underscores the benevolent character of God, who, as the Creator, knows what is best for His creation and provides the blueprint for a life of purpose and blessing. This perspective transforms obedience from a grudging duty into a joyful response of trust and gratitude, recognizing that God's ways are always designed for our ultimate good, even when they require sacrifice or self-denial.

* [Deuteronomy 6:24](/deuteronomy/6-24 "Deuteronomy 6:24 - God's Commands for Our Good")
* [Psalm 19:7-11](/psalm/19-7 "Psalm 19:7-11 - The Perfection of God's Law")
* [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy, Just, and Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 10:13 offers a timeless and transformative principle for believers today, profoundly reshaping our understanding of God's commands. In a world that often views rules as limitations on freedom, this verse invites us to see God's instructions as a divine roadmap to genuine freedom, fulfillment, and blessing. When we grasp that God's laws—whether found in the Old Testament or in the ethical teachings of Christ—are fundamentally "for our good," our motivation for obedience shifts dramatically. It moves from a reluctant compliance driven by fear or obligation to a joyful trust born of gratitude and an understanding of God's perfect wisdom. This truth encourages us to actively seek and embrace God's Word in all areas of life—relationships, finances, ethics, spiritual disciplines—confident that His ways are always perfect and lead to the most abundant and truly good life possible. Embracing this perspective cultivates a heart that delights in God's law, recognizing it as the very pathway to His presence and His promised blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's commands as being "for thy good" change your perspective on areas of your life where you feel His will might be restrictive?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply that God's instructions are truly designed for your ultimate well-being?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart that delights in God's law, rather than viewing it as a burden?**
* **How can the principle of "obedience for good" inform your discipleship and your witness to others about the nature of God?**

### FAQ
**Does Deuteronomy 10:13 teach that salvation is earned by keeping God's commandments?**

Answer: No, Deuteronomy 10:13 does not teach salvation by works in the sense of earning eternal life through human effort. Rather, it speaks within the context of the Old Covenant, where obedience to God's commands was the means by which Israel maintained their covenant relationship with the LORD and experienced His blessings in the Promised Land. Salvation, even in the Old Testament, was always by God's grace, initiated through His sovereign choice and redemptive acts (e.g., the Exodus, as recounted in [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love and Choice of Israel")). The commands were given *after* Israel had been redeemed, as a framework for living out their identity as God's holy people. The "good" spoken of in this verse primarily refers to the temporal, holistic well-being, prosperity, and peace that came from living in alignment with God's wise and benevolent design for their national and individual lives. It was about experiencing the fullness of the covenant blessings, not about earning God's initial favor or eternal salvation, which remained a gift of grace. The New Testament clarifies that while the Law is good and holy, humanity's inability to perfectly keep it points to the need for a different kind of righteousness, found only through faith in Christ [Romans 3:20-24](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20-24 - Righteousness Through Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 10:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant law was given "for thy good" to Israel, it ultimately revealed humanity's inability to perfectly keep it, thus highlighting the need for a Savior [Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law Reveals Sin"). Jesus, the perfect Son of God, not only perfectly embodied and fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law") but also became the means by which humanity can truly experience the "good" God intended. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ bore the curse of the Law for us, freeing us from its condemnation [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us From the Curse of the Law"). Now, by faith in Him, believers are declared righteous and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that truly pleases God, not under the burden of earning favor, but out of a loving response to His grace [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Us by the Spirit"). The "good" God desires for us is ultimately found in union with Christ, where we receive new hearts that delight in His commands and are enabled to walk in His ways, producing the fruit of the Spirit, which is inherently beneficial and life-giving [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"). Thus, obedience in Christ is not a means to salvation, but a joyful expression of salvation, leading to the truest and most abundant life God ever intended [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 32:39

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Deuteronomy 6:24

And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as [it is] at this day.

James 1:25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Proverbs 9:12

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].