Deuteronomy 16:20

Deuteronomy 16:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
• New International Version (NIV)Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Context of Deuteronomy 16:20

18“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your cities (gates) which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. You shall pursue justice, and only justice [that which is uncompromisingly righteous], so that you may live and take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving you. 21“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree or wood beside the altar of the Lord your God, which you shall make. 22You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the Lord your God hates.

Deuteronomy 16:20 word by word

צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• That which is altogetherצֶ֫דֶקtsedeq · righteousnessH6664
• shalt thou followרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
• that thou mayest liveחָיָהchâyâh · to liveH2421
• and inheritיָרַשׁyârash yârêsh · to possess: takeH3423
• the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• which the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• thy Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• givethנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 16:20

• Deuteronomy 25:13“You shall not have in your bag inaccurate weights, a heavy and a light [so you can cheat others].
• Micah 6:8He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?
• Philippians 4:8Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
• Deuteronomy 4:1“Now, O Israel, listen and pay attention to the statutes and the judgments (God’s legal decisions) which I am teaching you to do, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
• Ezekiel 18:5“But if a man is righteous (keeps the law) and practices justice and righteousness,
• Romans 10:5For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law [with all its intricate demands] shall live by it.

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 16:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18-22Verses 18-22 These verses are closely connected in subject with the following chapter, and introduce certain directions for the administration of justice and the carrying on of the civil government of the people in Canaan. During the lifetime of Moses, he himself, especially inspired and guided by God, was sufficient, with the aid of the subordinate judges (compare Exodus 18:13 ff), for the duties in question. But now that Moses was to be withdrawn, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-22Verses 18-22 Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spirit, present every where. Alas! even in gospel days, and under a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-22The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction. The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2018-20. Judges and officers shalt thou make--These last meant heralds or bailiffs, employed in executing the sentence of their superiors. in all thy gates--The gate was the place of public resort among the Israelites and other Eastern people, where business was transacted and causes decided. The Ottoman Porte derived its name from the administration of justice at its gates.Read the comment

Topics related to Deuteronomy 16:20

• Honesty
• Injustice
• Integrity
• Judge
• Justice
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Gift
• Inherit
• Atonement, Day of
• Calendar
• Criticism
• Exodus, the Book of
• Genesis
• Justice

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings