John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God , etc.] Being taught to know the greatness of his being, and the nature of his mind and will, and the manner of his worship; and not with a slavish fear, but with a filial one, a reverential affection for God; being instructed in their duty, as of children, to their God and Father; (see Deuteronomy 5:29) to keep all his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee ; not in his own name, but in the name, and by the authority of God, whose minister and messenger he was; and all, having the stamp of divine authority on them, were to be observed and kept, and not one to be neglected or departed from: thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life ; a man and his children, and grandchildren; he was to take care that they kept all the commandments of the Lord as long as he lived, and had any concern with them: and that thy days may be prolonged ; long life being reckoned a very great outward mercy; a long enjoyment of, and continuance in the land of Canaan, is chiefly designed, which is usually expressed when this is observed; (see Deuteronomy 4:26,40 5:16,33).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - In this and the like passages, the "commandments" seem to denote the moral law, the "statues" the ceremonial law, and the "judgments" the law by which the judges decided. Moses taught the people all that, an that only, which God commanded him to teach. Thus Christ's minister are to teach his churches all he has commanded, neither more nor less Mt 28:20. The fear of God in the heart will be the most powerfu principle of obedience. It is highly desirable that not we only, but our children, and our children's children, may fear the Lord. Religio and righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of any people.
Original Hebrew למען4616 תירא3372 את853 יהוה3068 אלהיך430 לשׁמר8104 את853 כל3605 חקתיו2708 ומצותיו4687 אשׁר834 אנכי595 מצוך6680 אתה859 ובנך1121 ובן1121 בנך1121 כל3605 ימי3117 חייך2416 ולמען4616 יארכן748 ימיך׃3117
