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Deuteronomy 6

World English Bible

WEB

1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess; 2that you might fear Yahweh your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. 5You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. 6These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; 7and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates. 10It shall be, when Yahweh your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities which you didn’t build, 11and houses full of all good things which you didn’t fill, and cisterns dug out which you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees which you didn’t plant, and you shall eat and be full; 12then beware lest you forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 13You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name. 14You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you, 15for Yahweh your God among you is a jealous God, lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. 16You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in Massah. 17You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 18You shall do that which is right and good in Yahweh’s sight, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, 19to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has spoken. 20When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh our God has commanded you mean?” 21then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; 22and Yahweh showed great and awesome signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes; 23and he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore to our fathers. 24Yahweh commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are today. 25It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Deuteronomy Chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter in the Old Testament that emphasizes the importance of loving and obeying God. It begins with the command to keep the laws and decrees given by God, which are meant for the benefit of the Israelites. The chapter opens with the Shema, a foundational declaration of faith: 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.' This commandment (#Shema) highlights the total devotion that God desires from His people, urging them to integrate His teachings into every aspect of their lives, including their thoughts, actions, and family life. The call to love God is not just a personal commitment but a communal one, as it is meant to be passed down through generations.

The chapter continues with instructions on how to teach these commandments to children, emphasizing the importance of discussing God's laws at home and during daily activities. The Israelites are reminded to keep God's words close to their hearts and to display them visibly, symbolizing their constant reminder of His presence and authority. Furthermore, the chapter warns against forgetting the Lord when they enter the Promised Land and enjoy its blessings, urging them to remain faithful and not to turn to other gods. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, calling them to a life of obedience and love that reflects their identity as His chosen ones.

In summary, Deuteronomy 6 encapsulates the essence of the Israelite faith, urging them to love God wholeheartedly and to ensure that His commandments are central to their lives and the lives of future generations. It is a call to remember God's faithfulness and to live in a way that honors Him, reinforcing the idea that true worship is expressed through obedience and love. #Deuteronomy #Shema #LoveGod

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Genesis 18:19v6Genesis 18:19 highlights God's choice of Abraham to direct his children and household to keep the way of the Lord. This is similar to the command in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 for parents to teach God's commandments to their children.
  2. Exodus 13:9v8Exodus 13:9 speaks of the sign on the hand and frontlets between the eyes, which is echoed in Deuteronomy 6:8 as a reminder of God's commandments.
  3. Exodus 34:14v14Exodus 34:14 commands exclusive worship of God, which is reinforced in Deuteronomy 6:14-15, warning against idolatry.
  4. Joshua 22:5v5Joshua 22:5 emphasizes the importance of loving and serving God wholeheartedly, echoing the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and might.
  5. Joshua 23:11v5Joshua 23:11 commands Israel to love the Lord their God, paralleling the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love God with all heart, soul, and strength.
  6. Judges 2:10v6Judges 2:10 describes a generation that did not know the LORD, highlighting the failure to pass on faith, which Deuteronomy 6:6-9 commands as a crucial responsibility.
  7. 1 Samuel 7:3v51 Samuel 7:3 calls the Israelites to return to the Lord with all their heart, which echoes the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and might.
  8. 2 Kings 23:25v52 Kings 23:25 praises Josiah for his wholehearted devotion to God, reflecting the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and strength.
  9. 2 Chronicles 14:4v52 Chronicles 14:4 emphasizes Asa's command for Judah to seek the Lord and obey His laws, echoing the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and strength.
  10. 2 Chronicles 15:12v52 Chronicles 15:12 records the covenant to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, reflecting the command in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and strength.
  11. Proverbs 6:20-23v6Proverbs 6:20-23 emphasizes the importance of keeping parental commandments and teachings, similar to Deuteronomy 6:6-9, which instructs the Israelites to keep God's commandments in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children.
  12. Jeremiah 7:23v3Jeremiah 7:23 emphasizes obedience to God's voice, echoing the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:3-5, which calls for love and obedience to God.
  13. Matthew 4:7v16Matthew 4:7 records Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 in response to Satan's temptation to test God, reinforcing the principle that one should not put the Lord to the test.
  14. Matthew 4:10v13In Matthew 4:10, Jesus commands Satan to leave, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, which emphasizes worshiping and serving only God. This underscores the exclusive devotion required to God alone.
  15. Matthew 22:37v5Matthew 22:37 commands to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, directly quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, which is part of the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism.
  16. Mark 12:29-31v4Mark 12:29-31 cites the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, emphasizing the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and adds the command to love one's neighbor as oneself.
  17. Luke 4:8v13Jesus rebukes Satan by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, affirming the exclusive worship and service due to God alone.
  18. Luke 4:12v16Jesus responds to Satan's temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, teaching not to test God, reinforcing trust and obedience.
  19. Luke 10:27v5Luke 10:27 summarizes the law as loving God and neighbor, directly quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and might.
  20. 1 Corinthians 8:4v41 Corinthians 8:4 affirms the belief in one God, echoing the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, which declares the oneness of God, a foundational truth in both Old and New Testaments.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

  • Mark 12Greatest CommandmentGreat CommandmentLove of God
  • Matthew 22Greatest CommandmentGreat CommandmentLove for God
  • Deuteronomy 11Teaching ChildrenLove of GodFamily Values
  • Deuteronomy 5Family ValuesShemaGenerations
  • Deuteronomy 4Hearing (Spiritual Hearing)ShemaGenerations
  • Psalms 78Generational FaithGenerationsGenesis 1
  • Leviticus 19Exclusive WorshipGreat CommandmentThe Commandments
  • Joshua 24Exclusive WorshipAllegianceFaith in Art
  • Joshua 4Faith TransmissionGenerational FaithGenerations
  • Exodus 20MonotheismTemptationFamily
  • Ezra 7Religious EducationGenesis 1Teaching
  • Matthew 4Testing GodMonotheismTemptation

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