Deuteronomy 11:8

ยถ Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

Therefore shall ye keep {H8104} all the commandments {H4687} which {H834} I command {H6680} you this day {H3117}, that ye may be strong {H2388}, and go in {H935} and possess {H3423} the land {H776}, whither ye go {H5674} to possess {H3423} it;

Therefore, you are to keep every mitzvah I am giving you today; so that you will be strong enough to go in and take possession of the land you are crossing over to conquer;

You shall therefore keep every commandment I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and possess the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

Therefore shall ye keep all the commandment which I command thee this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go over to possess it;

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Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:8 is a pivotal verse in Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, serving as a powerful reminder of the conditional nature of God's covenant with His people.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Deuteronomy 11 where Moses reiterates the importance of loving God and diligently obeying His statutes and judgments. The generation that rebelled in the wilderness had passed, and Moses was now speaking to the new generation, preparing them for the challenges and blessings awaiting them in Canaan. He emphasizes that their future success and ability to inherit and thrive in the land were directly contingent upon their faithfulness to God's commands. This passage follows a detailed account of God's mighty acts in Egypt and the wilderness, reminding them of His power and faithfulness, and establishing the basis for their required obedience.

Key Themes

  • Obedience as a Prerequisite: The core message is that keeping God's commandments is not optional but foundational for experiencing His blessings. It is the path to divine favor and enablement.
  • Divine Empowerment for Possession: The strength and ability to "go in and possess the land" are presented as direct results of obedience. This isn't about human might alone, but God empowering His obedient people for the task He has set before them.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: The "land" refers to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This verse connects their present actions to the ancient covenant promises, underscoring that their entry and possession were part of God's grand plan, but required their participation through obedience. See Genesis 12:7.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "strong" here is ื—ึธื–ึทืง (chazaq), which means to be firm, courageous, strong, or steadfast. It implies not just physical strength but also moral fortitude and spiritual resolve to face challenges. The word "possess" is ื™ึธืจึทืฉื (yarash), meaning to take possession of, inherit, or dispossess. It conveys the idea of displacing previous inhabitants and establishing permanent ownership, which was a significant aspect of their mission in Canaan.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 11:8 offers timeless principles:

  • Spiritual Strength through Obedience: Just as physical strength was needed for Israel to conquer the land, spiritual strength is essential for Christians to navigate life's challenges and fulfill God's purposes. This strength comes from loving and obeying God's Word.
  • "Possessing" Our Spiritual Inheritance: While we do not literally possess a physical land, believers are called to "possess" or live out their spiritual inheritance in Christ, which includes peace, joy, righteousness, and victory over sin and spiritual adversaries. This involves actively walking in the truth and applying biblical principles. See Ephesians 1:3.
  • Conditional Blessings: While salvation is by grace through faith, many of God's blessings and the effectiveness of our lives are contingent upon our willingness to walk in obedience to His revealed will. Our diligence in following God's commands enables us to experience the fullness of His promises and to be strong in the Lord.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 1:6

    Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

  • Joshua 1:7

    Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

  • Ephesians 6:10

    ยถ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • Philippians 4:13

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  • Ephesians 3:16

    That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

  • Deuteronomy 31:23

    And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

  • Deuteronomy 8:10

    ยถ When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
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