Deuteronomy 29:9

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Keep therefore the words of this covenant . . . that ye may prosper.—Comp. Joshua 1:8 (Note); Psalm 1:3.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

29:1-9 Both former mercies, and fresh mercies, should be thought on by us as motives to obedience. The hearing ear, and seeing eye, and the understanding heart, are the gift of God. All that have them, have them from him. God gives not only food and raiment, but wealth and large possessions, to many to whom he does not give grace. Many enjoy the gifts, who have not hearts to perceive the Giver, nor the true design and use of the gifts. We are bound, in gratitude and interest, as well as in duty and faithfulness, to keep the words of the covenant.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That ye may prosper - literally, "that ye may act wisely." The connection of the two ideas of wisdom in conduct and prosperity in circumstances is noteworthy.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. Moses called unto all Israel, … Ye have seen all that the Lord did, &c.—This appeal to the experience of the people, though made generally, was applicable only to that portion of them who had been very young at the period of the Exodus, and who remembered the marvellous transactions that preceded and followed that era. Yet, alas! those wonderful events made no good impression upon them (De 29:4). They were strangers to that grace of wisdom which is liberally given to all who ask it; and their insensibility was all the more inexcusable that so many miracles had been performed which might have led to a certain conviction of the presence and the power of God with them. The preservation of their clothes and shoes, the supply of daily food and fresh water—these continued without interruption or diminution during so many years' sojourn in the desert. They were miracles which unmistakably proclaimed the immediate hand of God and were performed for the express purpose of training them to a practical knowledge of, and habitual confidence in, Him. Their experience of this extraordinary goodness and care, together with their remembrance of the brilliant successes by which, with little exertion or loss on their part, God enabled them to acquire the valuable territory on which they stood, is mentioned again to enforce a faithful adherence to the covenant, as the direct and sure means of obtaining its promised blessings.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,.... To do which they were laid under great obligations, through the goodness of God to them, in giving them victory over the two kings, and delivering their countries into their hands, as well as by all the favours bestowed on them in the wilderness, where they were sufficiently supplied with food, drink, and raiment; all which is made use of as a motive and argument to engage them to observe and keep the covenant the Lord made with them:

that ye may prosper in all that ye do: in all their occupations and businesses of life, in their manufactures and commerce, in the culture of their fields and vineyards, and in whatsoever they were employed in a lawful way; the word used has sometimes, the signification of acting wisely and prudently, as in Isaiah 52:13; hence the Septuagint version is, "that ye may understand all that ye do"; and so the Jerusalem Targum.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. Keep … and do] See on Deuteronomy 4:6; and cp. Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 5:1.

the words of this covenant] See above on Deuteronomy 29:1 and on Deuteronomy 4:13. prosper] But the vb. also covers the deal wisely of the R.V. margin.

‘Originally a mental process or quality—has insight, is farseeing—it includes the effect of this—understands so as to get on, deals wisely so as to succeed, is practical both in his way of working, and in being sure of his end. Ewald has found an almost exact equivalent in German: “hat Geschick,” for “Geschick” means both “skill” or “address” and “fate” or “destiny.” ’ (Isaiah xl.–lxvi., Expositor’s Bible, p. 346 on Isaiah 52:13.) In the Hex. only here, and elsewhere (except for one or two passages) only in later writings.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - That ye may prosper in all that ye do. The verb here used (הִשְׂכִּיל) means primarily to look at, to consider or attend to, hence to become intelligent, to be prudent, to act wisely, and so to have success, to prosper. It is the prosperity which comes from wise and prudent action that God commends to his people (cf. Joshua 1:7, 8). Deuteronomy 29:9

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

These benefits from the Lord demanded obedience and fidelity. "Keep the words of this covenant," etc. (cf. Deuteronomy 8:18). השׂכּיל, to act wisely (as in Deuteronomy 32:29), bearing in mind, however, that Jehovah Himself is the wisdom of Israel (Deuteronomy 4:6), and the search for this wisdom brings prosperity and salvation (cf. Joshua 1:7-8).