Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Deuteronomy 6:18

Next

And thou shalt do [that which is] right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,

And thou shalt do {H6213} that which is right {H3477} and good {H2896} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}: that it may be well {H3190} with thee, and that thou mayest go in {H935} and possess {H3423} the good {H2896} land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} sware {H7650} unto thy fathers {H1},

You are to do what is right and good in the sight of ADONAI, so that things will go well with you, and you will enter and possess the good land ADONAI swore to your ancestors,

Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, so that it may be well with you and that you may enter and possess the good land that the LORD your God swore to give your fathers,

And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of Jehovah; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:18 is a pivotal verse within Moses' final address to the Israelites, encapsulating the essence of their covenant relationship with God before entering the Promised Land. It emphasizes the direct link between faithful obedience and divine blessing.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Deuteronomy 6, often referred to as the "Shema" passage (from Deuteronomy 6:4-9), which calls Israel to singular devotion to the Lord. Moses is reminding the new generation of the covenant laws and the history of God's faithfulness. He is preparing them for life in Canaan, stressing that their success and well-being in the land are contingent upon their adherence to God’s commands. The surrounding verses highlight the importance of teaching these commands diligently to their children and remembering them constantly.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Blessing: The core message is that doing what is "right and good in the sight of the LORD" directly leads to prosperity and well-being ("that it may be well with thee"). This isn't merely about following rules, but about living in alignment with God's character and will, which naturally results in His favor.
  • Covenant Fulfillment: The verse explicitly connects obedience to the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to their ancestors. The ability to "possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers" (referring to the Abrahamic Covenant, as seen in Genesis 12:7) is presented as a direct outcome of their faithfulness.
  • Divine Perspective: The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" is crucial. It signifies that actions are not merely judged by human standards or societal norms, but by God's perfect and righteous judgment. True goodness is defined by His perspective.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words translated "right and good" are yashar and tov. Yashar implies straightness, uprightness, and moral rectitude—actions that are correct and just. Tov means good, pleasant, beneficial, and morally excellent. Together, they describe a holistic righteousness that is both ethically sound and pleasing to God, leading to positive outcomes for the individual and the community. This combination emphasizes not just adherence to laws, but a righteous disposition and actions that are truly beneficial.

Practical Application

While believers today are not inheriting a physical land in the same way ancient Israel did, the principle remains profoundly relevant. Our spiritual "well-being" and ability to "possess" the blessings God has for us are often tied to our obedience and faithfulness to Him. This verse encourages us to:

  • Seek God's Approval: Prioritize doing what is right in God's eyes, rather than merely conforming to societal expectations or pursuing self-interest. This aligns with seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
  • Trust God's Promises: Understand that God's commands are given for our ultimate good and that His promises are trustworthy. Obedience is an act of faith in His benevolent character.
  • Live Righteously: Strive for integrity and moral excellence in all areas of life, recognizing that such living brings peace and blessing, both individually and collectively.

Deuteronomy 6:18 serves as a timeless reminder that living in harmony with God's will is the path to true prosperity and the fulfillment of His promises.

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 4:40 (8 votes)

    Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

  • Deuteronomy 12:25 (5 votes)

    Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

  • Romans 12:2 (4 votes)

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  • Deuteronomy 5:29 (4 votes)

    O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

  • John 8:29 (3 votes)

    And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

  • Ezekiel 33:19 (3 votes)

    But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

  • Ezekiel 33:14 (2 votes)

    Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;