Deuteronomy 11 20

Deuteronomy 11:20 kjv

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

Deuteronomy 11:20 nkjv

And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:20 niv

Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:20 esv

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:20 nlt

Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11 verses

Deuteronomy 11 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 11:20 commands the Israelites to inscribe God's words on the doorposts of their houses and on their gates. This serves as a constant, visual reminder of divine law and a perpetual commitment to covenant obedience, extending from the private sphere of the home to the public realm of the community, fostering a continuous spiritual environment and intergenerational teaching.

Deuteronomy 11 20 Context

Deuteronomy 11:20 is situated within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter reiterates and elaborates on the foundational principles of the Shema (Deut 6:4-9). The broader context emphasizes the absolute singularity and sovereignty of Yahweh and the direct relationship between Israel's obedience to God's commandments and their well-being in the land. The verses preceding this (11:18-19) command the people to internalize God's words ("lay up these words in your heart and in your soul") and diligently teach them to their children. Verse 20 provides a tangible, outward expression of this internal commitment and educational mandate, ensuring constant exposure to divine truth. It's part of a series of injunctions designed to prevent forgetting the Lord and to ensure continuous covenant loyalty through constant remembrance and engagement with His words, leading to blessings of rain, abundant harvests, and prolonged life in the land.

Deuteronomy 11 20 Word analysis

• And you shall write them (וּכְתַבְתָּם - u-k'tavtam): This is a Hebrew verb in the Qal perfect consecutive tense, indicating a direct command with a future implication tied to preceding actions. The act of "writing" (כתב - katav) is significant; it makes something tangible, permanent, and publicly accessible. "Them" refers to "these words" (דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה - devarai elleh) from Deuteronomy 11:18, encompassing the totality of God's covenant commands and instructions, not merely selected portions. This implies the entirety of God's revealed will should saturate their lives. The imperative underscores the individual and communal responsibility in preserving and propagating divine truth.

• on the doorposts (עַל מְזֻזוֹת - al m'zuzot): The word mezuzot refers specifically to the doorposts of a building. These are the vertical frames on either side of a doorway. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, inscriptions on doorposts could signify ownership, protective charms, or religious dedications. Here, the unique polemic is that instead of pagan symbols or incantations, Israel is commanded to place God's revealed words, emphasizing instruction and covenant over superstition or idolatry. This placement signifies God's active presence and authority within the home and a commitment to Him as one enters and exits. It fosters an environment saturated with divine values.

• of your house (בֵיתֶךָ - beitekha): "House" signifies the private, domestic sphere—the family unit. The family was the primary locus of religious instruction and practice in Israelite society. The command places the responsibility squarely on each household to live under God's law. This ensures that personal and familial life is conducted in continuous awareness of God's precepts.

• and on your gates (וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ - u-visha'arekha): "Gates" here refers to the gates of a city, which were public spaces where communal life unfolded. Legal transactions, judgments, commerce, and social interactions often occurred at the city gates. Placing God's words here extends the principle beyond the private home to the entire community. It means that even public life—justice, business, and community relations—was to be conducted according to divine principles. It serves as a visible witness to both Israelites and outsiders about the foundational laws of their society, demonstrating Israel's identity as a covenant people whose public life reflects God's righteousness.

Deuteronomy 11 20 Bonus section

The command in Deuteronomy 11:20, alongside Deuteronomy 6:9, became the basis for the Jewish tradition of the mezuzah, a small case containing a parchment scroll inscribed with these verses, affixed to doorposts. While the specific method of fulfilling this command evolved into ritual, the underlying spiritual intent is profound: it's a practice meant to foster perpetual remembrance (zikaron) of God's covenant, cultivate a consciousness of His presence in everyday life, and actively transmit faith to subsequent generations. This tradition contrasts sharply with pagan amulets or inscriptions intended for magical protection, emphasizing instead the transformative power of God's living Word to guide and instruct, serving as a continuous declaration of identity and purpose under the divine covenant.

Deuteronomy 11 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:20 embodies the imperative for Israel to perpetually engage with God's word, extending beyond mere intellectual assent to concrete, daily presence. This visible inscription of God's commands on doorposts and city gates ensures that His law is not a dusty scroll but a living, omnipresent guide. It serves multiple vital functions: a personal reminder upon entering and leaving one's home, an intergenerational teaching tool that prompts conversations about God's ways, and a public declaration of the nation's identity and allegiance to Yahweh. Far from being a superstitious charm, this act mandates an atmosphere where God's will constantly shapes thoughts, actions, and community life. It underscores that all spheres of existence—private and public—must be submitted to divine instruction, making God's word central to their very fabric of being as a covenant nation.