Deuteronomy 28:6

KJV

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288} shalt thou be when thou comest in {H935}, and blessed {H1288} shalt thou be when thou goest out {H3318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A blessing on you when you go out, and a blessing on you when you come in.

Berean Standard Bible

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

American Standard Version

Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:6 encapsulates a profound promise of comprehensive divine blessing, assuring the Israelites that their obedience to God's covenant would result in His favor encompassing every facet of their lives. This concise declaration, "Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out," signifies an all-encompassing well-being, safety, and prosperity that would accompany them in all their daily activities, transitions, and undertakings, from beginning to end. It serves as a powerful testament to God's desire to bless His people when they walk in faithfulness to His commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:6 is situated within the pivotal opening section of Deuteronomy chapter 28, which meticulously details the blessings promised to the nation of Israel for their faithful obedience to God's covenant. This chapter serves as a climactic summary of the conditional nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh, delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab just before they entered the Promised Land. The first fourteen verses (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) enumerate abundant blessings, while the subsequent verses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) starkly outline the severe curses that would befall them for disobedience. Thus, verse 6 stands as a specific, emphatic assurance of God's pervasive favor, contingent upon the nation's adherence to the laws given at Mount Sinai, forming an integral part of the [promises for obedience](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Blessings for Obedience") that initiate the chapter's discourse on covenantal faithfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy itself is presented as Moses' farewell address to the second generation of Israelites, delivered on the threshold of the Promised Land, approximately 40 years after the Exodus. They stood poised to inherit the land promised to their ancestors, but their success and well-being within it were entirely dependent on their fidelity to the Mosaic Covenant. Culturally, covenants were foundational to ancient Near Eastern societies, establishing reciprocal relationships between parties, often between a suzerain (a dominant ruler) and a vassal (a subordinate state). Here, Yahweh is the divine Suzerain, and Israel is His vassal. The blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 mirror the structure of such ancient treaties, emphasizing the serious consequences of breaking covenant stipulations. The concept of "coming in and going out" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian and nomadic society, encompassing their daily movements, economic activities, and military campaigns.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Comprehensive Blessing**, underscoring that God's favor is not limited to specific areas but extends to every facet of life—personal, communal, economic, and spiritual. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Presence and Protection**, signifying God's continuous oversight and safeguarding of His people in all their daily movements, activities, and transitions. The idiom implies that wherever they go and whatever they do, God's watchful eye and protective hand are upon them. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Covenantal Fulfillment**, explicitly linking these blessings to Israel's adherence to the covenant. It underscores the reciprocal nature of their relationship with God, where obedience leads to flourishing, as seen in the broader context of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _baruch'_):** This word (בָּרוּךְ) carries a rich theological meaning, signifying a state of being endowed with favor, prosperity, and well-being by God. It is not merely a wish or a human declaration, but an active divine empowerment that results in flourishing. To be "blessed" by God means to be the recipient of His active, benevolent intervention in one's life, leading to success, fruitfulness, and peace in all endeavors. It implies a divine approval and an outpouring of goodness.
* **When thou comest in, and when thou goest out (Hebrew, _b'vo'akha u'v'tzeit'kha'_):** This phrase (בְּבֹאֲךָ וּבְצֵאתֶךָ) is a common and significant Hebrew idiom. It does not refer solely to the physical acts of entering or leaving a dwelling. Instead, it is a merism, encompassing the totality of one's life activities, daily routines, undertakings, and transitions. It signifies the whole of one's existence—from the beginning of any enterprise to its conclusion, from dawn to dusk, from youth to old age, and from private life to public engagement. It implies a blessing that covers one's entire existence and all one's movements, whether in peace or in war, in prosperity or in adversity. This idiom is also used to describe comprehensive leadership or general conduct, as seen in [Numbers 27:17](/numbers/27-17 "Numbers 27:17 - Joshua's Leadership").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in":** This clause promises divine favor and well-being at the commencement of all activities, at the beginning of the day, upon entering one's home or community, or at the outset of any new venture. It speaks to God's blessing on one's domestic life, one's initial steps into the public sphere, and the very start of daily living. It implies safety, provision, and success in the initial stages of all undertakings.
* **"and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out":** This parallel clause assures God's blessing upon the conclusion of activities, at the end of the day, upon leaving one's home or community, or at the completion of any venture. It signifies divine protection and favor in one's movements, in one's public life, and in the successful completion of tasks. Together with the first clause, it forms a comprehensive statement of God's pervasive and continuous blessing over the entirety of one's life and all its transitions.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Merism**, where two contrasting parts ("coming in" and "going out") are used to represent the whole or totality of a concept—in this case, the entirety of one's life, activities, and movements. This device effectively communicates the all-encompassing nature of God's blessing. Furthermore, **Repetition** of the phrase "blessed shalt thou be" serves to emphasize and reinforce the certainty and comprehensive nature of the divine favor being promised. The **Parallelism** between the two clauses ("when thou comest in" and "when thou goest out") creates a rhythmic and memorable structure, enhancing the verse's impact and reinforcing the idea of a blessing that covers every aspect of existence. The verse functions as a concise **Aphorism**, a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth, making it easily remembered and profoundly impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:6, while rooted in the specific covenantal context of ancient Israel, articulates a timeless theological principle: God's desire to bless His people comprehensively when they walk in obedience and faithfulness. This promise reflects God's character as a benevolent Giver and Provider, whose favor extends to every dimension of human existence. It underscores the biblical theme that true flourishing is ultimately derived from a right relationship with God, characterized by trust and adherence to His revealed will. The verse also implicitly connects to the broader concept of Shalom, a holistic peace and well-being that encompasses spiritual, physical, social, and material prosperity, which is a hallmark of God's covenantal blessings.

* [Numbers 27:17](/numbers/27-17 "Numbers 27:17 - Joshua's Leadership and the Idiom of Coming In and Going Out")
* [Psalm 121:8](/psalms/121-8 "Psalm 121:8 - The Lord Will Keep Your Going Out and Your Coming In")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Mosaic Covenant's specific terms are not directly applicable to New Testament believers in the same way, the underlying principles of God's character and His desire to bless those who trust and obey Him remain profoundly relevant. Deuteronomy 28:6 encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's pervasive providence, recognizing that His care extends to every detail of our lives, from our mundane routines to our most significant transitions. It calls us to live intentionally, seeking God's guidance and inviting His blessing into all our endeavors—our work, relationships, decisions, and daily movements. For the believer, this means walking in the Spirit, seeking to honor Christ in every sphere, and understanding that true flourishing comes from aligning our lives with God's purposes, not from our own strength or wisdom. It is a reminder that our security and success are ultimately found in His comprehensive care, not in the circumstances of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need to experience God's comprehensive blessing today?**
* **How does the understanding of God's pervasive care ("when you come in and go out") influence your daily walk and decisions?**
* **What does it mean for you, as a New Testament believer, to "walk in obedience" in a way that invites God's favor, distinct from legalism?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that if I obey God, I will never face hardship or difficulty?**

Answer: No, this verse, while promising comprehensive blessing for obedience, does not guarantee a life free from all hardship or difficulty. The blessings in Deuteronomy 28 are primarily communal and national, promising prosperity and security for Israel as a nation in the land. For individuals, and especially for New Testament believers, the concept of "blessing" is broadened beyond purely material or physical well-being. While God does bless and provide, the Christian life is also marked by trials and suffering, which can refine faith and draw us closer to God (cf. [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Benefits of Suffering") and [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith")). The comprehensive blessing for believers often manifests as spiritual peace, inner strength, divine presence in adversity, and the assurance of eternal life, even amidst earthly challenges. God's blessing means His presence and favor are with us "when we come in and when we go out," regardless of external circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:6, with its promise of comprehensive blessing for covenantal obedience, finds its ultimate and transformed fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Mosaic Covenant offered conditional blessings for external adherence to the law, Christ embodies the New Covenant, where the blessing is unconditional, rooted in grace, and secured through His perfect obedience. In Christ, believers are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), transcending the temporal and material. He is the one through whom "all the promises of God find their Yes in him" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Our "coming in and going out" is now lived in union with Him, meaning His presence and favor accompany us not based on our perfect performance, but on His finished work. The comprehensive blessing promised in Deuteronomy 28:6 is fully realized in the believer's union with Christ, who is our peace, our righteousness, and our ultimate source of flourishing, both now and eternally, regardless of earthly circumstances, for "in him we live and move and have our being" ([Acts 17:28](/acts/17-28 "Acts 17:28 - In Him We Live")).

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

Psalms 121:8

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

2 Chronicles 1:10

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, [that is so] great?

Numbers 27:17

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

2 Samuel 3:25

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

Deuteronomy 31:2

And he said unto them, I [am] an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.