Deuteronomy 4:40 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Keep God's statutes so that it will go well with you and your descendants for all your days in the land.
The Context of Deuteronomy 4:40
Moses returns to the opening theme: obedience brings blessing and long life in the land.
What Does Deuteronomy 4:40 Mean?
Having established the unique privilege of knowing the LORD and the basis for covenant obligation, Moses now calls Israel to obedience. The statutes and commandments he has taught are not burdensome but the path to blessing. Keeping them produces the ripple effect of blessing across generations—for the individual, their children, and descendants yet unborn.
The promise is multifaceted: things will 'go well'—prosperity and peace are the natural fruit of obedience. The days will be 'prolonged'—obedience brings long life to individuals and permanence to Israel in the land. This is not arbitrary reward but the organic consequence of living according to the wise, righteous law that reflects God's character and purposes. The land itself—'which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever'—belongs eternally to those who maintain covenant faithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 4:40
What does Deuteronomy 4:40 mean?
Keep God's statutes so that it will go well with you and your descendants for all your days in the land.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 4:40?
Moses returns to the opening theme: obedience brings blessing and long life in the land.