Deuteronomy 30:20
New International Version
and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

New Living Translation
You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

English Standard Version
loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Berean Standard Bible
and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

King James Bible
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

New King James Version
that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

New American Standard Bible
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

NASB 1995
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

NASB 1977
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
by loving Yahweh your God, by listening to His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Amplified Bible
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD promised (swore) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Christian Standard Bible
love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days as you live in the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
love the LORD your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the LORD swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

American Standard Version
to love Jehovah thy God, to obey his voice, and to cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days; that thou mayest dwell in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Contemporary English Version
Be completely faithful to the LORD your God, love him, and do whatever he tells you. The LORD is the only one who can give life, and he will let you live a long time in the land that he promised to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

English Revised Version
to love the LORD thy God, to obey his voice, and to cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Love the LORD your God, obey him, and be loyal to him. This will be your way of life, and it will mean a long life for you in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Good News Translation
Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

International Standard Version
Love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cling to him, because he is your life—even your long life—so that you may live in the land that the LORD promised to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Majority Standard Bible
and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

NET Bible
I also call on you to love the LORD your God, to obey him and be loyal to him, for he gives you life and enables you to live continually in the land the LORD promised to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

New Heart English Bible
to love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Webster's Bible Translation
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave to him (for he is thy life, and the length of thy days) that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

World English Bible
to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
to love your God YHWH, to listen to His voice, and to cleave to Him (for He [is] your life and the length of your days), to dwell on the ground which YHWH has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them.”

Young's Literal Translation
to love Jehovah thy God, to hearken to His voice, and to cleave to Him (for He is thy life, and the length of thy days), to dwell on the ground which Jehovah hath sworn to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
To love Jehovah thy God; to hear to his voice and to cleave to him (for this thy life and the length of thy days) to dwell upon the land which Jehovah aware to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaak, and to Jacob, to give to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and obey his voice, and adhere to him (for he is thy life, and the length of thy days,) that thou mayst dwell in the land, for which the Lord swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give it them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and so that you may love the Lord your God, and obey his voice, and cling to him, (for he is your life and the length of your days) and so that you may live in the land, about which the Lord swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he would give it to them.”

New American Bible
by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them.

New Revised Standard Version
loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cleave to him; for he is your life and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
When you love LORD JEHOVAH your God and you will hear his voice and you are joined to him, because he is your life and the length of your days, that you will dwell in the land that LORD JEHOVAH swore to your fathers, to Abraham and to Isaac and to Yaquuv, to give you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
to love the LORD thy God, to hearken to His voice, and to cleave unto Him; for that is thy life, and the length of thy days; that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to love the Lord thy God, to hearken to his voice, and cleave to him; for this is thy life, and the length of thy days, that thou shouldest dwell upon the land, which the Lord sware to thy fathers, Abraam, and Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Choice of Life or Death
19I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, 20and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Cross References
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Joshua 23:8
Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

Acts 17:28
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’

Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him. / When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. / With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

1 John 5:12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. / My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

1 Corinthians 8:6
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Colossians 3:3-4
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. / When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.


Treasury of Scripture

That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may hold to him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

love

Deuteronomy 30:6,16
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live…

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Deuteronomy 11:22
For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

cleave

Deuteronomy 4:4
But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

Deuteronomy 10:20
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

Joshua 23:8
But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.

thy life

Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

thou mayest

Deuteronomy 4:40
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 5:16
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 11:9
And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Cleave Cleaving Dwell Hearken Hold Holding Isaac Jacob Love Loving Mayest Means Obey Obeying Sware Swore Voice
Jump to Next
Abraham Cleave Cleaving Dwell Hearken Hold Holding Isaac Jacob Love Loving Mayest Means Obey Obeying Sware Swore Voice
Deuteronomy 30
1. Great mercies promised unto the penitent
11. The commandment is manifest
15. Death and life are set before them














and that you may love the LORD your God
The Hebrew word for "love" here is "אָהַב" (ahav), which implies a deep, covenantal love that goes beyond mere affection. This love is a commitment to the LORD, who is not just a distant deity but a personal God ("your God"). This phrase calls believers to a relationship characterized by devotion and loyalty, reflecting the covenant relationship God established with Israel. Historically, this love is not just emotional but is demonstrated through actions and obedience, as seen throughout the Torah.

obey His voice
The Hebrew word for "obey" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention and obedience. This phrase emphasizes the importance of not just hearing God's commandments but actively following them. In the historical context of Deuteronomy, this obedience was crucial for Israel's survival and prosperity in the Promised Land. It underscores the principle that true love for God is expressed through obedience to His commands.

and hold fast to Him
The phrase "hold fast" comes from the Hebrew "דָּבַק" (dabaq), meaning to cling or adhere. This suggests a tenacious, unwavering commitment to God, akin to the bond of marriage. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this would imply loyalty and faithfulness, rejecting other gods and influences. It is a call to steadfastness in faith, especially in times of trial or temptation.

For He is your life
This profound statement identifies God as the source and sustainer of life. The Hebrew word for "life" is "חַיִּים" (chayim), which encompasses physical, spiritual, and eternal life. This phrase reminds believers that their existence and well-being are entirely dependent on God. It is an affirmation of faith that God is not only the giver of life but also the one who enriches and sustains it.

and He will prolong your life in the land
The promise of prolonged life is tied to the covenant blessings associated with obedience. The Hebrew concept of "prolong" (אָרַךְ, arak) implies an extension of days, suggesting not just longevity but a life filled with purpose and blessing. This promise is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God and His commandments, reflecting the covenantal relationship where blessings follow obedience.

the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
This phrase anchors the promise in the historical and covenantal context of the patriarchs. The Hebrew word for "swore" (נִשְׁבַּע, nishba) indicates a solemn oath, underscoring the certainty and faithfulness of God's promises. The mention of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob connects the current generation to their heritage and God's unchanging faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the continuity of God's plan and the fulfillment of His promises through the ages.

(20) He is thy life, and the length of thy days.--This is the Old Testament form of a well-known saying in the New Testament, which may yet be fulfilled in Israel, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).

Verse 20. - For he is thy life; rather, for this is thy life; to love the Lord is really to live the true, the higher life (cf. Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 32:47).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and that you may love
לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ (lə·’a·hă·ḇāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God,
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

obey Him,
לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ (liš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and hold fast
וּלְדָבְקָה־ (ū·lə·ḏā·ḇə·qāh-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

to Him.
ב֑וֹ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He [is]
ה֤וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

your life,
חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙ (ḥay·ye·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and He will prolong
וְאֹ֣רֶךְ (wə·’ō·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 753: Length

your life
יָמֶ֔יךָ (yā·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the land
הָאֲדָמָ֗ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

the LORD
יְהוָ֧ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

swore
נִשְׁבַּ֨ע (niš·ba‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to give
לָתֵ֥ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to your fathers,
לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ (la·’ă·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Abraham,
לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

Isaac,
לְיִצְחָ֥ק (lə·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

and Jacob.?
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב (ū·lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc


Links
Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV
Deuteronomy 30:20 NLT
Deuteronomy 30:20 ESV
Deuteronomy 30:20 NASB
Deuteronomy 30:20 KJV

Deuteronomy 30:20 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 30:20 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 30:20 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 30:20 French Bible
Deuteronomy 30:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 30:20 To love Yahweh your God to obey (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 30:19
Top of Page
Top of Page