Deuteronomy 16:20 Meaning and Explanation
“That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pursue justice absolutely so that you will live long and inherit the land God gives.
The Context of Deuteronomy 16:20
Justice is framed as the path to life—the opposite of betraying it through corruption.
What Does Deuteronomy 16:20 Mean?
Justice is not optional or negotiable; it is what you must 'follow'—pursue, chase after. The verb suggests that justice requires active effort, not passive avoidance of evil. Following justice is a way of life, not a rule to keep minimally.
The consequence is existential: you will 'live' and 'inherit the land.' Justice is tied to survival and to permanence in the land. Societies that corrupt justice decay; those that pursue it flourish. The promise assumes a moral order: right action stabilizes life, wrong action destabilizes it.
Deuteronomy 16:20 in the Original Language
altogether (כׇל, kol), 'all/complete/whole' — emphasizing the totality of the command, nothing held back or compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 16:20
What does Deuteronomy 16:20 mean?
Pursue justice absolutely so that you will live long and inherit the land God gives.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 16:20?
Justice is framed as the path to life—the opposite of betraying it through corruption.