Deuteronomy 11:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Keeping God's commandments will give Israel strength to conquer and settle Canaan.
The Context of Deuteronomy 11:8
Moses now states the direct consequence of obedience: strength to possess the land.
What Does Deuteronomy 11:8 Mean?
Having established Israel's debt to God for past deliverance, Moses now ties obedience to future success. Keeping all the commandments is presented as the means to strength—not just physical strength but the resolve and blessing needed to possess Canaan.
The land is not a gift handed over passively; it is something Israel must actively enter and claim. Obedience to God's law is portrayed as the engine of that conquest and settlement.
Deuteronomy 11:8 in the Original Language
chazaq (חָזַק), 'strong' — to grow firm, harden, or become strong; often used of both physical and spiritual strengthening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 11:8
What does Deuteronomy 11:8 mean?
Keeping God's commandments will give Israel strength to conquer and settle Canaan.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 11:8?
Moses now states the direct consequence of obedience: strength to possess the land.