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 4:40KJV
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Deuteronomy 4:40 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 4:40 mean?

Deuteronomy 4:40 tells the people to keep God’s rules and commands so that things will go well for them and their children, and so they will live long in the land God is giving them. The verse connects obedience to God’s instructions with a promise of well-being and lasting life in the land.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land God promised them. He reminds them that following God’s statutes and commandments is not just about duty, but is tied to their future prosperity and the well-being of their descendants. The verse highlights the connection between faithfulness to God and the blessings of a secure, lasting home.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 4:40

  • "Keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar) means to guard, watch, or carefully observe. This word suggests more than just following rules—it calls for attentive, ongoing care in living out God’s instructions.
  • "Statutes" (חֹק, choq) refers to specific decrees or ordinances, often understood as rules set by God that may not always be explained but are meant to be followed.
  • "Commandments" (מִצְוָה, mitsvah) means commands or instructions, emphasizing what God has directly told the people to do.
  • "Prolong" (אַרַךְ, arak) means to lengthen or extend, here referring to a longer life or extended time in the land, showing that obedience is linked to enduring blessings.

Why Deuteronomy 4:40 matters

  • Deuteronomy 4:40 makes clear that God’s laws are not arbitrary; they are given for the good of the people and their families, tying obedience to real-life outcomes.
  • The verse emphasizes that the promised land is a gift from God, but enjoying it fully depends on the people’s ongoing faithfulness.
  • This verse connects the immediate audience’s choices to the future of their children, showing that faithfulness has effects that reach beyond one generation.

Where else these words appear

“prolong” Hebrew H748 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
  • Deuteronomy 25:15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  • Proverbs 28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

“well” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Joshua 22:30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
  • Psalms 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

“statutes” Hebrew H2706 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 47:22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
  • Deuteronomy 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
  • Psalms 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.