Deuteronomy 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE. (Deu. 11:1-32) Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge--The reason for the frequent repetition of the same or similar counsels is to be traced to the infantine character and state of the church, which required line upon line and precept upon precept. Besides, the Israelites were a headstrong and perverse people, impatient of control, prone to rebellion, and, from their long stay in Egypt, so violently addicted to idolatry, that they ran imminent risk of being seduced by the religion of the country to which they were going, which, in its characteristic features, bore a strong resemblance to that of the country they had left.
Open source ↗Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God,.... Because he is so great and glorious in himself, and because he had done such great and good things for them, the Israelites, particularly in the multiplication of them, the last thing mentioned: and keep his charge; whatsoever the Lord had charged them to observe, even what follow: and his statutes and his judgments, and his commandments, alway; all his laws, ceremonial, judicial, and moral; and that constantly and continually, all the days of their lives.
Open source ↗In Deu 11:1-12 the other feature in the divine requirements (Deu 10:12), viz., love to the Lord their God, is still more fully developed. Love was to show itself in the distinct perception of what had to be observed towards Jehovah (to "keep His charge," see at Lev 8:35), i.e., in the perpetual observance of His commandments and rights. The words, "and His statutes," etc., serve to explain the general notion, "His charge." "All days," as in Deu 4:10.
Open source ↗Because God has made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude (so the preceding chapter concludes), therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God (so this begins). Those whom God has built up into families, whose beginning was small, but whose latter end greatly increases, should use that as an argument with themselves why they should serve God. Thou shalt keep his charge, that is, the oracles of his word and ordinances of his worship, with which they were entrusted and for which they were accountable. It is a phrase often used concerning the office of the priests and Levites, for all Israel was a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Observe the connection of these two: Thou shalt love the Lord and keep his charge, since love will work in obedience, and that only is acceptable obedience which flows from a principle of love. Jo1 5:3. Mention is made of the great and terrible works of God which their eyes had seen, Deu 11:7. This part of his discourse Moses addresses to the seniors among the people, the elders in age; and probably the elders in office were so, and were now his immediate auditors: there were some among them that could remember their deliverance out of Egypt, all above fifty, and to them he speaks this, not to the children, who knew it by hearsay only, Deu 11:2. Note, God's mercies to us when we were young we should remember and retain the impressions of when we are old; what our eyes have seen, especially in our early days, has affected us, and should be improved by us long after. They had seen what terrible judgments God had executed upon the enemies of Israel's peace, 1. Upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians that enslaved them. What a fine country was ruined and laid waste by one plague after another, to force Israel's enlargement! Deu 11:3. What a fine army was en…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… גֹּדֶל (gôdel, H1433) — magnitude (literally or figuratively) חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
Open source ↗אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen סוּף (çûwph, H5488) — a reed, especially the papyrus יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… צוּף (tsûwph, H6687) — to overflow פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּתָן (Dâthân, H1885) — Dathan, an Israelite אֲבִירָם (ʼĂbîyrâm, H48) — Abiram, the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֱלִיאָב (ʼĔlîyʼâb, H446) — Eliab, the name of six Israelites רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פָּצָה (pâtsâh, H6475) — to rend, i.e. open (especially the mouth) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) יְקוּם (yᵉqûwm, H3351) — properly, standing (extant), i.e. by implication, a living thing רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗אָרַךְ (ʼârak, H748) — to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) זוּב (zûwb, H2100) — to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to… חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine) דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) יָרָק (yârâq, H3419) — properly, green; concretely, a vegetable
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds…
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. יוֹרֶה (yôwreh, H3138) — sprinkling; hence, a sprinkling (or autumnal showers) מַלְקוֹשׁ (malqôwsh, H4456) — the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
You must remain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and keep the LORD’s charge so that you will not die, for this is what I have been commanded.”
These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess,
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here.
Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.
See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.
Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah!
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy.