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Deuteronomy 28:1

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¶ 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:

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken {H8085} diligently {H8085} unto the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, to observe {H8104} and to do {H6213} all his commandments {H4687} which I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117}, that the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} will set {H5414} thee on high {H5945} above all nations {H1471} of the earth {H776}:

"If you listen closely to what ADONAI your God says, observing and obeying all his mitzvot which I am giving you today, ADONAI your God will raise you high above all the nations on earth;

“Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

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

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 28 marks a pivotal point in Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter, often referred to as the "Blessings and Curses" chapter, lays out in stark terms the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God's covenant. Verse 1 serves as the grand introduction to the blessings, setting the stage for the conditional nature of Israel's prosperity and position among nations. It underscores the foundational principle of the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai, where God promised to be their God if they would be His people.

Key Themes

  • Conditional Blessing: This verse clearly states that God's favor and the nation's exaltation are contingent upon Israel's diligent obedience. It's a direct cause-and-effect relationship between human action and divine response.
  • Obedience as Exaltation: The promise to "set thee on high above all nations of the earth" signifies not just political prominence but also spiritual distinction and divine favor. Israel's unique status was tied to its adherence to God's laws, setting them apart from surrounding pagan cultures.
  • Covenant Relationship: The verse highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant. God's blessings are offered, but they require a committed response from His people—to "hearken diligently," "observe," and "do" His commandments.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hearken diligently" (KJV) translates from the Hebrew shama shamoa (שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע), which is a powerful idiom. It uses the infinitive absolute before the finite verb, emphasizing the intensity and certainty of the action. It implies not just passive hearing, but active, attentive listening that leads to obedience. It's about truly internalizing God's voice and responding with full commitment. Similarly, "observe and to do" emphasizes both the intellectual understanding and the practical execution of God's commands.

Practical Application

While this verse was specifically addressed to ancient Israel, its underlying principle holds profound spiritual truth for believers today. The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments as an expression of love and a path to blessing. Though salvation is by grace through faith, walking in obedience to God's Word leads to a fuller, more fruitful life and reflects His character to the world. For individuals, this means attentively listening to the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture, and then actively applying them in daily life. For the church, it means living out God's will collectively, which can result in spiritual distinction and impact within society.

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

  • Isaiah 1:19 (84 votes)

    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

  • Exodus 23:22 (67 votes)

    But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

  • Leviticus 26:3 (58 votes)

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

  • Leviticus 26:13 (58 votes)

    I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.

  • John 15:14 (50 votes)

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Luke 11:28 (47 votes)

    But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  • Exodus 15:26 (40 votes)

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.