Deuteronomy 15:5

KJV

Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

Only if thou carefully {H8085} hearken {H8085} unto the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, to observe {H8104} to do {H6213} all these commandments {H4687} which I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

if only you will listen carefully to what ADONAI your God says and take care to obey all these mitzvot I am giving you today.

Berean Standard Bible

if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.

American Standard Version

if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:5 establishes a crucial conditional principle within the Mosaic covenant: the promise of divine blessing, particularly the ideal of eliminating systemic poverty and ensuring national prosperity, is directly contingent upon Israel's diligent, comprehensive, and active obedience to all of God's commandments. This verse underscores that God's profound desire to bless His people is met by their careful and responsive adherence to His revealed will, thereby forging an unbreakable link between covenant faithfulness and the flourishing of the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Moses' final discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. It is part of a broader section (Deuteronomy 15:1-18) that outlines socio-economic laws designed to prevent the entrenchment of poverty and foster justice within the community. The preceding verse, [Deuteronomy 15:4](/deuteronomy/15-4 "Deuteronomy 15:4 - The Promise of No Poor"), declares the aspirational ideal: "there will be no poor among you." Deuteronomy 15:5 then serves as the indispensable condition for the realization of this ideal. The subsequent verses elaborate on practical applications of this principle, such as the Sabbatical year for debt cancellation [Deuteronomy 15:1-3](/deuteronomy/15-1-3 "Deuteronomy 15:1-3 - The Sabbatical Year for Debt Cancellation") and the release of Hebrew servants [Deuteronomy 15:12-18](/deuteronomy/15-12-18 "Deuteronomy 15:12-18 - Laws Concerning Hebrew Servants"), all designed to cultivate a society where the vulnerable are protected and economic disparity is mitigated through faithful covenantal living.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy represents a re-presentation and re-emphasis of the Law, specifically adapted for a generation transitioning from nomadic wilderness life to a settled agricultural existence in Canaan. The Israelites were about to enter a land already occupied by various peoples with distinct legal, economic, and social systems. The Mosaic Law, as reiterated here, provided a unique socio-economic framework rooted in Yahweh's absolute sovereignty and Israel's exclusive covenant relationship with Him. Unlike surrounding cultures where poverty, debt slavery, and permanent social stratification were often accepted norms, Israel's divinely ordained laws—including the Sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Year of Jubilee")—were designed to prevent the perpetual accumulation of wealth and land in the hands of a few and to ensure that all members of the covenant community had access to the means of production (land) and regular opportunities for a fresh start. This verse profoundly underscores that the success of this revolutionary, divinely ordained system was not automatic but entirely dependent on their faithful and diligent adherence to God's specific instructions.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 15:5 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. The theme of **Conditional Blessing** is paramount, clearly articulating that God's promised abundance and the ideal of "no poor among you" are directly contingent upon Israel's active and careful obedience. This highlights that while God's desire is to bless, human responsibility lies in diligent adherence to His will, a principle consistently woven throughout the covenant relationship established at Sinai [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - The Covenant at Sinai"). The phrase "carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God" emphasizes **Active Obedience**, signifying not merely passive hearing but attentive listening with the explicit intent to perform. This proactive response is foundational to the covenant, where God's commands are not mere suggestions but divine decrees reflecting His **Divine Authority** and righteous character. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that Israel's national well-being, security, and their ability to embody God's vision for a just society are inextricably linked to their unwavering loyalty to the covenant stipulations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_ H8085):** From an unused root meaning to call aloud, this verb signifies "to hear intelligently," often implying "attention, obedience, etc." In this context, "carefully hearken" intensifies the meaning, demanding a deliberate, attentive, and intentional act of receiving God's word with the explicit purpose of compliance. It speaks to the inner disposition required for true, responsive obedience, moving beyond mere auditory perception to active engagement and submission.
* **commandments (Hebrew, _mitsvâh_ H4687):** From the root _tsâvâh_ (to enjoin), this noun refers to a divine command, precept, or instruction. It carries the full weight of divine authority and obligation. The use of "all these commandments" emphasizes the comprehensive and holistic nature of God's law; obedience is not selective or partial but encompasses the entirety of God's revealed will, given "this day" to be immediately and continually relevant.
* **observe to do (Hebrew, _shâmar_ H8104, _ʻâsâh_ H6213):** This phrase combines two significant verbs. _Shâmar_ (to hedge about, i.e., guard, protect, attend to) conveys the idea of carefully guarding or preserving. _ʻÂsâh_ (to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application) means to perform or execute. Together, they convey the profound idea of diligently guarding or preserving the commandments by actively and practically performing them. It is not a casual or superficial adherence but a careful, consistent, and practical application of God's instructions in daily life, ensuring they are not forgotten, neglected, or violated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God,"**: This opening phrase establishes the absolute conditionality upon which the subsequent blessings (implied from the preceding verse) depend. The emphatic "Only if" sets a strict prerequisite. "Carefully hearken" demands an active, attentive, and obedient listening, emphasizing an internal disposition that leads to external action. "Unto the voice of the LORD thy God" identifies the divine source and supreme authority of the commands, underscoring that these are not human suggestions but divine imperatives from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.
* **"to observe to do all these commandments"**: This clause specifies the precise nature of the required response: not merely hearing, but actively "observing to do." The emphasis is squarely on practical, diligent, and consistent performance of the divine will. The inclusion of "all these commandments" highlights the comprehensive scope of obedience; partial or selective adherence is insufficient. It calls for a wholehearted commitment to the entirety of God's revealed will, without reservation or exception.
* **"which I command thee this day."**: This concluding phrase powerfully reinforces both the divine origin and the immediate, urgent relevance of the commandments. "I command thee" reiterates that God Himself, through Moses, is the one issuing these decrees, establishing their non-negotiable authority. "This day" emphasizes the present binding nature and urgency of the instructions for the generation standing on the brink of entering the Promised Land, making it clear that these are not ancient, irrelevant laws but living, binding instructions for their immediate future and ongoing national life and prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 15:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is a **Conditional Clause**, introduced by the emphatic "Only if," which explicitly links the desired outcome (divine blessing, absence of poverty) to a specific, non-negotiable condition (diligent obedience). This "if-then" structure is fundamental to covenant theology, where blessings and curses are intrinsically tied to faithfulness or disobedience. There is also a strong sense of **Exhortation**, as Moses, acting as God's mouthpiece, passionately urges the people to choose the path of life and flourishing through obedience. The repetition and close proximity of ideas like "hearken" and "observe to do" functions as **Emphasis**, underscoring the vital importance of active, practical obedience over mere passive hearing or intellectual assent. The phrase "the voice of the LORD thy God" is a form of **Metonymy**, where "voice" stands for the entirety of God's revealed will, His authoritative word, and His very presence, making the divine source of the commands palpable and personal. Finally, the verse is steeped in **Covenant Language**, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where the great king (God) sets forth the terms for his vassal (Israel), promising protection, prosperity, and national well-being in exchange for loyalty and comprehensive obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 15:5 stands as a foundational statement regarding the nature of God's relationship with His people under the Old Covenant: divine blessing is inextricably linked to human obedience. This is not a transactional exchange where God is obligated by human action, but rather a profound reflection of His character as a righteous, faithful, and good God who blesses those who align their lives with His perfect will. It reveals that God's desire for His people's flourishing (the "no poor among you" ideal of [Deuteronomy 15:4](/deuteronomy/15-4 "Deuteronomy 15:4 - The Promise of No Poor")) is realized when they live in harmony with His just and loving commands. Obedience, therefore, is not burdensome but the very pathway to true prosperity, security, and national identity, demonstrating profound trust in God's wisdom and goodness. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that living according to God's word is the path to a blessed and fruitful life, both individually and communally.

* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7-8 "Success Through Obedience to the Law")
* [Psalm 1:1-3](/psalm/1-1-3 "The Blessed Man and God's Law")
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "The Wise and Foolish Builders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 15:5, though rooted in the Old Covenant, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. The call to "carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God" remains paramount. For us, God's voice is primarily heard through His inspired Word, the Bible, and discerned through the illuminating and guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. "Hearkening" is not a passive reception, but an active, intentional engagement with Scripture, allowing its truths to penetrate our hearts and minds, shaping our worldview, values, and priorities. The subsequent command "to observe to do" emphasizes that true faith is always active and demonstrative. It's not enough to intellectually assent to biblical truths; we are called to embody them in our daily lives, in our relationships, our work ethic, our financial stewardship, and especially in our compassionate care for the vulnerable and marginalized. This verse challenges us to honestly examine the areas where our obedience might be partial, hesitant, or lacking, reminding us that holistic spiritual flourishing and effectiveness in our witness are often directly tied to our diligence in living out God's revealed will, trusting implicitly that His commands are always for our ultimate good and His supreme glory. Our obedience in the New Covenant is a joyful and loving response to the One who first loved us, not a means to earn His favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "carefully hearken" to God's voice as revealed in Scripture, and what practical steps can you take to cultivate a more attentive and receptive spirit?**
* **How does your understanding of "observing to do" God's commandments translate into tangible, practical actions in your daily life, particularly concerning generosity, justice, and care for those in need?**
* **Do you primarily view obedience to God's commands as a burdensome obligation or as a joyful pathway to blessing, freedom, and flourishing? How might a shift in this perspective deepen your walk with Christ?**
* **Considering the ideal of a community without systemic poverty, how does your personal obedience and commitment to biblical principles of justice contribute to or hinder the flourishing and equity within your local church and broader community?**

### FAQ

**Is this verse teaching a works-based salvation?**

Answer: No, Deuteronomy 15:5 is not teaching a works-based salvation in the New Testament sense of earning eternal life. This verse operates within the framework of the Mosaic Covenant, which was a conditional covenant given specifically to the nation of Israel. It outlined the terms for Israel's national prosperity, well-being, and continued enjoyment of the Promised Land. Their obedience to God's laws was the condition for receiving temporal, national, and communal blessings (such as the absence of systemic poverty and material abundance), not for earning individual eternal salvation. Salvation, even in the Old Testament, was always by God's grace through faith, as exemplified by the call of Abraham [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Accounted as Righteousness") and the provision of atonement through the sacrificial system. The Law primarily revealed God's righteous character and humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey, thus pointing to their profound need for a Savior.

**How does this relate to the New Testament concept of grace?**

Answer: This verse provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the New Testament concept of grace. In the Old Covenant, the promised blessings were conditional upon Israel's collective obedience to the Law. However, Israel consistently failed to perfectly "hearken" and "observe to do" God's commandments, leading to cycles of judgment and ultimately exile. This historical reality powerfully demonstrated humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands. The New Testament reveals that what the Law could not accomplish because of human weakness, God did through the perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - What the Law Could Not Do"). Grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, provides complete forgiveness for our disobedience and empowers us to live in a new kind of obedience—one that flows from a transformed heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit, rather than being a means to earn divine favor. Our obedience in the New Covenant is a grateful and loving response to God's saving grace, not a prerequisite for it [Ephesians 2:8-10](/ephesians/2-8-10 "Ephesians 2:8-10 - Grace, Faith, and Good Works").

**What does "no poor among you" mean in light of this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "no poor among you" in [Deuteronomy 15:4](/deuteronomy/15-4 "Deuteronomy 15:4 - The Promise of No Poor") presents an ideal state of national flourishing, social justice, and communal equity that God desired for Israel. Deuteronomy 15:5 clarifies that this ideal was conditional upon their collective and diligent obedience to God's commandments, particularly those related to economic justice, debt cancellation, and compassionate care for the needy (as outlined in [Deuteronomy 15:1-11](/deuteronomy/15-1-11 "Deuteronomy 15:1-11 - The Year of Release and Care for the Poor")). It implied that if Israel faithfully implemented God's economic and social laws, poverty would not become a systemic, entrenched, or perpetual problem in their society. While later verses (like [Deuteronomy 15:11](/deuteronomy/15-11 "Deuteronomy 15:11 - The Poor Will Always Be Among You")) acknowledge that the poor would always exist due to human sin and failure to perfectly obey, the ideal remained a powerful aspiration and a divine standard against which Israel's faithfulness was measured. It profoundly underscores God's compassionate heart for the poor and His divine design for a truly just and equitable society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:5, with its profound emphasis on conditional blessing through perfect obedience, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Where Israel, and indeed all humanity, consistently failed to "carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD" and "observe to do all these commandments," Jesus perfectly fulfilled every single demand of the Law. He is the perfectly obedient Son, whose entire life was characterized by absolute and unwavering submission to the Father's will, even unto death on a cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death"). His active obedience, culminating in His atoning sacrifice, secured the blessings of the New Covenant, which are not conditional on our imperfect obedience but are freely given by God's boundless grace through faith in Him [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant Based on Better Promises"). The "blessing" promised in [Deuteronomy 15:4](/deuteronomy/15-4 "Deuteronomy 15:4 - The Promise of No Poor"), an ideal of a community free from systemic poverty, is spiritually fulfilled in the abundance of life and the immeasurable spiritual riches found in Christ, where believers are made eternally rich in Him, though He became poor for our sake [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches"). Our "hearkening" now is primarily to the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, and our "observing to do" His commandments flows not from a desire to earn blessing, but as a loving, grateful response to His finished work and the empowering presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments"). He is the one who truly fulfills the Law's righteous demands, and in Him, we receive the promised blessings and the righteousness that Israel could not fully attain through their own efforts [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law").

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

Deuteronomy 28:1

¶ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Deuteronomy 28:15

¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

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.

Deuteronomy 11:13

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 11:15

And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

Leviticus 26:3

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

Leviticus 26:14

¶ But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;