Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 15:5
if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the assembled Israelites on the plains of Moab, restating covenant stipulations immediately after promising national prosperity in Deuteronomy 15:4. The verse operates as the conditional clause that governs the preceding promise and the subsequent blessing described in Deuteronomy 15:6.
The words — The Hebrew רַק (rak) means "only" or "surely," and אִם ('im) means "if," together forming a strict conditional frame. The verb שָׁמַע (shama') translates literally to "listen" or "obey," paired with לִשְׁמֹר (lishmor), meaning "to keep" or "take care," establishing compliance as the operative requirement.
The thread — This conditional pattern appears in Deuteronomy 28:1, Leviticus 26:3, and Deuteronomy 11:13, where collective blessing is consistently structured as a direct consequence of covenant faithfulness.
Why it lands — The text states that the promised absence of poverty and national elevation depends entirely on active obedience to the specified commandments. It requires the reader to treat adherence as a non-negotiable prerequisite rather than a secondary spiritual ideal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 28:1 “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.
- Leviticus 26:3 If you follow My statutes and carefully keep My commandments,
- Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,
- Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
- Psalms 19:11 By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.
- Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.
- Philippians 1:27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
- Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.