The Meaning of Deuteronomy 29:9 Explained

Deuteronomy 29:9

KJV: Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

YLT: and ye have kept the words of this covenant, and done them, so that ye cause all that ye do to prosper.

Darby: Ye shall keep then the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

ASV: Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Keep  therefore the words  of this covenant,  and do  them, that ye may prosper  in all that ye do. 

What does Deuteronomy 29:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 29:1-13 - The Covenant That Brings Prosperity
In one great final convocation Moses rehearsed the Covenant, and endeavored to bind the people to its provisions. It becomes us all from time to time to look into the vows that we have made, reviewing them to see if we have carefully observed and kept our pledges. We need also to enlarge their scope as one new department after another is added to the experience of our souls. A review also of God's great love and care through past years should constrain us, as by the mercies of God, to present ourselves anew to Him, as a "living sacrifice," Romans 12:1-2.
Notice the double aspect of Deuteronomy 29:12-13. It is not enough for us to be willing to enter into a covenant with God and to take His oath; we need that God should establish us unto Himself that we may become His peculiar people. The established heart and character are the very special gifts of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 1 Peter 5:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 29

1  Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen
10  All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18  The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29  Secret things belong unto God

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 29:9 mean?

Therefore keep - the words of covenant this and do them that you may prosper - in all that you do -
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗ם אֶת־ דִּבְרֵי֙ הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֔את וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם לְמַ֣עַן תַּשְׂכִּ֔ילוּ אֵ֖ת כָּל־ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֽׂוּן פ

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗ם  Therefore  keep 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
דִּבְרֵי֙  the  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
הַבְּרִ֣ית  of  covenant 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בְּרִית  
Sense: covenant, alliance, pledge.
הַזֹּ֔את  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם  and  do 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לְמַ֣עַן  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: לְמַעַן 
Sense: purpose, intent prep.
תַּשְׂכִּ֔ילוּ  you  may  prosper 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שָׂכַל 
Sense: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.
אֵ֖ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
כָּל־  in  all 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
תַּעֲשֽׂוּן  you  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation