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Deuteronomy 11:22

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For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

For if ye shall diligently {H8104} keep {H8104} all these commandments {H4687} which I command {H6680} you, to do {H6213} them, to love {H157} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, to walk {H3212} in all his ways {H1870}, and to cleave {H1692} unto him;

"For if you will take care to obey all these mitzvot I am giving you, to do them, to love ADONAI your God, to follow all his ways and to cling to him,

For if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him—

For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:22 serves as a pivotal verse in Moses' final address to the Israelites, laying out the conditions for their continued prosperity and blessing in the Promised Land. It encapsulates the essence of the covenant relationship God desired with His people: not merely external conformity but a deep, heartfelt devotion.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Deuteronomy where Moses reiterates the Law and reminds the new generation of Israelites about the importance of covenant faithfulness before they enter Canaan. Chapter 11, in particular, emphasizes the stark choice before them: blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Verse 22 sets the foundational requirement, leading directly into the promises of prosperity and dominion in the following verses (e.g., Deuteronomy 11:23-25). It underscores that their future success in the land would depend entirely on their commitment to God's statutes and their relationship with Him.

Key Themes

  • Conditional Obedience: The phrase "For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments" highlights the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings. Their flourishing in the land was directly tied to their active and consistent adherence to God's instructions.
  • Holistic Devotion: The verse moves beyond mere rule-following, emphasizing a comprehensive commitment: "to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him." This portrays obedience as flowing from a heart of love and a life lived in alignment with God's character and will.
  • Covenant Relationship: At its core, Deuteronomy 11:22 articulates the reciprocal relationship God desired with Israel. It's a call to intimacy and loyalty, where obedience is an expression of love and devotion to the covenant-making God, demonstrating a profound personal commitment.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "to cleave unto him" translates the Hebrew word dabaq (דָּבַק), which means to cling, stick, or join oneself firmly to something or someone. This word is used in profound relational contexts, such as the husband and wife becoming "one flesh" in Genesis 2:24, or Ruth's unwavering loyalty to Naomi in Ruth 1:14. In Deuteronomy 11:22, it signifies a deep, inseparable attachment and profound loyalty to God, going beyond intellectual assent to an active, passionate devotion that permeates all aspects of life.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 11:22 remains profoundly relevant. It reminds us that our faith is not just about knowing doctrines or performing religious duties, but about cultivating a passionate, loving relationship with God. True obedience springs from a heart that genuinely loves God and desires to walk in His ways. Just as ancient Israel's well-being was tied to their devotion, our spiritual vitality and experience of God's blessings are intimately connected to our willingness to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might, and to "cleave" to Him in every circumstance. This verse calls us to a life of diligent adherence to God's word, motivated by love, and expressed through our daily walk.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 11:13 (5 votes)

    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 6:17 (5 votes)

    ¶ Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

  • Deuteronomy 10:20 (4 votes)

    Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

  • 1 John 5:2 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 John 5:3 (3 votes)

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

  • Matthew 22:37 (2 votes)

    Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

  • Genesis 2:24 (2 votes)

    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.