Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 6:17
You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, issuing this charge immediately after warning them not to test God at Massah and before outlining the blessings of covenant obedience.
The words — The Hebrew verb שָׁמ֣וֹר (sha.Mor) literally means to keep or guard, while the noun עֵדֹתָיו ('e.do.Ta/v) refers to his testimonies or recorded witness acts.
The thread — The motif of diligent observance appears in Deuteronomy 11:22, Psalms 119:4, and 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Why it lands — The text demands active, continuous adherence to divine commands rather than passive belief. It requires the reader to prioritize obedience as the baseline of covenant relationship.
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
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 11:22 For if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him—
- Psalms 119:4 You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
- Exodus 15:26 saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
- Titus 3:8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
- Deuteronomy 6:1 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,
- 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,