Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 6:13
Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, concluding his covenant renewal discourse after warning them not to forget Yahweh's deliverance from Egypt.
The words — The imperative תִּירָא (ti.ra') translates to "you will fear," and תַעֲבֹד (ta'avod) translates to "you will serve," forming the dual core of the command.
The thread — The same pairing of fearing and serving Yahweh appears in Deuteronomy 10:20 and Deuteronomy 13:4, while Jesus cites the command in Luke 4:8 during his wilderness temptation narrative.
Why it lands — The text commands exclusive reverence, worship, and sworn commitments to Yahweh alone. Readers must abandon competing loyalties and direct all formal vows and daily obedience solely to Him.
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
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Cross-references
- Luke 4:8 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
- Deuteronomy 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.
- Deuteronomy 13:4 You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him.
- Matthew 4:10 “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
- Leviticus 19:12 You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 10:12 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,
- Psalms 63:11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.
- Isaiah 45:23 By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
- Isaiah 65:16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My sight.
- Jeremiah 12:16 And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.