Deuteronomy 26:16

KJV

¶ This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

This day {H3117} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath commanded {H6680} thee to do {H6213} these statutes {H2706} and judgments {H4941}: thou shalt therefore keep {H8104} and do {H6213} them with all thine heart {H3824}, and with all thy soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Today ADONAI your God orders you to obey these laws and rulings. Therefore, you are to observe and obey them with all your heart and all your being.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these statutes and ordinances. You must be careful to follow them with all your heart and with all your soul.

American Standard Version

This day Jehovah thy God commandeth thee to do these statutes and ordinances: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 26:16 serves as a climactic and urgent exhortation within Moses' final address to the Israelites, encapsulating the very essence of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This verse underscores that the divine commands, encompassing both "statutes and judgments," are not merely external rules but demand a complete, unreserved, and internal commitment. It calls the people to a holistic obedience, rooted in the deepest affections and intentions of their "heart" and "soul," signaling that their future prosperity and faithfulness in the Promised Land hinge upon this total devotion to God's revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 26:16 appears at a pivotal moment in Moses' farewell discourse, immediately following the detailed exposition of the covenant stipulations (chapters 12-25) and the prescribed rituals for entering the land, such as the offering of firstfruits and tithes (chapter 26:1-15). This verse acts as a solemn conclusion to the legal and ethical sections, transitioning into the formal covenant renewal ceremony outlined in [Deuteronomy 27](/deuteronomy/27 "Deuteronomy 27 - Covenant Renewal Ceremony") and the comprehensive blessings and curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). It frames the entire legal corpus as a divine command requiring immediate and absolute adherence, setting the stage for the people's public affirmation of their commitment to God's covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stand on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, a new generation ready to inherit the covenant promises made to their ancestors. Moses, as their leader and mediator, delivers this final, impassioned appeal, reminding them of their unique identity as God's chosen people. Culturally, the language of "statutes and judgments" resonates with ancient Near Eastern treaty forms, where a suzerain (God) established terms with a vassal (Israel), demanding loyalty and obedience. The emphasis on "this day" highlights the immediacy and solemnity of this covenant renewal, a critical juncture where the nation's future, prosperity, and relationship with God would be defined by their collective and individual response to His commands. This moment is a historical pivot, marking the transition from wilderness wandering to settled life, making the call to wholehearted obedience particularly crucial for their success and faithfulness in a new environment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Authority and Command**, asserting that the laws are not human inventions but emanate directly from "the LORD thy God," the sovereign Creator and faithful Redeemer of Israel. Secondly, the call to "keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul" underscores the theme of **Wholehearted Obedience and Internal Devotion**. This is not merely external compliance but a profound internal disposition, mirroring the foundational command to [love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Greatest Commandment"). Finally, "This day" highlights the theme of **Covenant Commitment and Decision**, demanding a definitive choice to align fully with God's will, recognizing that their future flourishing in the land is intrinsically linked to their faithfulness to this covenant relationship. This theme of decision is pervasive throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy"), culminating in the choice between life and death presented in [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God (H3068), revealing His personal, relational, and unchanging character. By declaring "the LORD thy God hath commanded," the verse grounds the authority of the statutes and judgments not in abstract law, but in the personal, faithful God who delivered Israel from slavery and entered into a unique relationship with them. It underscores that these commands are an expression of His character and His desire for their good.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêbâb'_):** In biblical thought, the "heart" (H3824) is far more than just the seat of emotions; it is the center of one's intellect, will, thoughts, and moral character. To obey with "all thine heart" means to engage one's entire inner being—mind, will, and affections—in understanding, desiring, and committing to God's commands, ensuring that obedience stems from genuine conviction, not mere external pressure or superficial compliance.
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** The "soul" (H5315) refers to the entire living being, the life force, desire, and essence of a person. When paired with "heart," "soul" emphasizes the totality of one's existence and vitality. To obey with "all thy soul" means to commit one's very life, energy, and deepest desires to God's will, ensuring that obedience is an all-encompassing, living reality that permeates every aspect of existence, from one's physical actions to one's deepest aspirations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee":** This opening phrase emphasizes the immediate, present, and binding nature of the divine imperative. "This day" (H3117, _yôwm_) signifies a fresh, solemn declaration of the covenant, demanding an immediate and decisive response from the new generation. The authority is explicitly attributed to "the LORD thy God" (H3068, H430), highlighting His sovereign right to command (H6680, _tsâvâh_) and His covenantal relationship with Israel as the basis for these demands.
* **"to do these statutes and judgments":** "Statutes" (H2706, _chôq_) and "judgments" (H4941, _mishpâṭ_) refer to the entire body of God's revealed law—His decrees, ordinances, and moral rulings. The command is not merely to "know" or "hear" them, but emphatically "to do" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) them, underscoring the necessity of practical, active obedience as the tangible expression of their covenant fidelity. This phrase encompasses both the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Law.
* **"thou shalt therefore keep and do them":** This reiteration reinforces the imperative, emphasizing the required human response. "Keep" (H8104, _shâmar_) implies guarding, observing, and preserving the commands, suggesting careful attention and adherence. "Do" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) signifies putting them into practice. The "therefore" links the divine command directly to the human responsibility, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between God's decree and Israel's required response, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of their commitment.
* **"with all thine heart, and with all thy soul":** This is the qualitative core of the command, specifying the *manner* of obedience. It demands a holistic, internal, and passionate commitment. Obedience is not to be grudging or superficial, but to flow from the deepest wellsprings of one's being—encompassing intellect, will, emotion, and life force. This phrase establishes the standard for genuine, covenantal fidelity, moving beyond mere external compliance to an inner disposition of devotion.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 26:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message and impress upon the people the gravity of their covenant commitment. The most prominent is **Exhortation**, as Moses passionately appeals to the people to obey God's commands, using direct address ("thee," "thou shalt"). This is powerfully reinforced by the use of **Imperative Language**, with phrases like "hath commanded thee to do" and "thou shalt therefore keep and do them," which convey a direct, non-negotiable divine mandate. The phrase "with all thine heart, and with all thy soul" functions as a **Merism**, a literary device where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a complete whole. Here, "heart" (representing the inner being, intellect, will, and affections) and "soul" (representing the life force, desires, and entire living person) together signify the totality and comprehensiveness of one's being, emphasizing that obedience must be holistic and permeate every faculty. The phrase "This day" also acts as a powerful **Temporal Marker**, creating a sense of immediacy, urgency, and solemnity, demanding a present and decisive commitment from the people at this pivotal moment in their history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 26:16 encapsulates a profound theological truth: God desires not merely outward compliance but a deep, internal, and holistic devotion from His people. This verse reveals that true obedience is an overflow of a heart fully committed to God, demonstrating that the covenant relationship is founded on love and trust, not just legalistic adherence. It underscores the biblical understanding that faith is never purely intellectual or ritualistic but must permeate every aspect of one's being, transforming motivations and actions from the inside out. This principle of wholehearted devotion to God's commands is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, serving as the bedrock for a flourishing relationship with the divine and a just society, reflecting God's own character of complete commitment to His covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 10:12](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12 - What the LORD Requires")
* [Matthew 22:37](/matthew/22-37 "Matthew 22:37 - The Greatest Commandment")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 26:16 issues a timeless challenge to all who claim to follow God: Is our obedience merely external, a grudging compliance with rules, or does it spring from a deep, internal wellspring of love and devotion? Just as the Israelites were called to a complete commitment as they stood on the precipice of their inheritance, so too are believers today called to live out their faith with sincerity and passion, engaging every facet of their being in service to God. This verse compels us to examine our motivations, asking whether our actions are truly an expression of a heart and soul fully surrendered to Christ, or if we are holding back parts of ourselves from His transforming power. It reminds us that authentic faith demands nothing less than our whole selves, joyfully offered in response to God's boundless grace and unwavering faithfulness, recognizing that true spiritual vitality flows from a life fully consecrated to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering partial or superficial obedience to God, rather than wholehearted devotion?**
* **How can I intentionally cultivate a deeper, more profound love for God that naturally translates into joyful and complete obedience to His commands?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to ensure that my faith is not merely an outward display but a genuine commitment of "all my heart and all my soul"?**

### FAQ
**Why does God demand "all thine heart, and with all thy soul" for obedience?**

Answer: God demands "all thine heart, and with all thy soul" for obedience because He desires a genuine, loving relationship with His people, not just external conformity or ritualistic performance. This holistic demand reflects God's own nature as one who gives Himself fully in covenant. If obedience were merely external, it could be feigned or grudging, lacking the transformative power that comes from true devotion. By requiring the "heart" (the seat of intellect, will, and emotion) and the "soul" (the entire living being, including desires and vitality), God ensures that obedience is rooted in genuine love, trust, and an internal desire to honor Him. This comprehensive commitment is essential for the flourishing of the individual and the community, as it aligns their deepest affections and motivations with God's perfect will, leading to true blessing and intimacy, as echoed in the greatest commandment to [love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Greatest Commandment"). It also foreshadows the New Covenant promise where God's law would be written on the heart, enabling internal obedience (cf. [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on the Heart") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 26:16, with its call for wholehearted obedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, embodying the "heart and soul" obedience that Israel so often failed to achieve. Jesus declared that He did not come to abolish the Law but to [fulfill it](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"), demonstrating a life of complete devotion to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). For believers, the command to obey with "all thine heart, and with all thy soul" is no longer a burden to be met by human strength, but a joyful response enabled by the Holy Spirit. Through Christ's atoning work, the power of sin is broken, and the Spirit is given to indwell believers, empowering them to live in a way that truly pleases God, writing His laws not on tablets of stone but [on their hearts](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant"). Our obedience, therefore, becomes a Spirit-empowered act of love, a grateful response to the One who first loved us, knowing that [if we love Him, we will keep His commandments](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments"). In Christ, the impossible demand of Deuteronomy becomes a Spirit-enabled delight, transforming us from within to reflect His perfect obedience and enabling us to [walk in newness of life](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of 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

Deuteronomy 12:1

¶ These [are] the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.

John 14:15

¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1 John 5:2

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Deuteronomy 6:1

¶ Now these [are] the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do [them] in the land whither ye go to possess it:

Deuteronomy 13:3

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.