Deuteronomy 31 13

Deuteronomy 31:13 kjv

And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Deuteronomy 31:13 nkjv

and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess."

Deuteronomy 31:13 niv

Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

Deuteronomy 31:13 esv

and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."

Deuteronomy 31:13 nlt

Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the LORD your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy."

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 13 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:13 underscores the critical importance of intergenerational instruction in the Law of God. It commands that children, specifically those who were not present for the initial giving of the Law, must hear it publicly read. The explicit purpose is for them to "learn to fear the LORD their God," fostering a deep reverence and obedience that ensures the spiritual and communal well-being of the nation within the Promised Land for generations to come. This perpetual instruction guarantees that God's covenant and His commandments remain central to Israel's identity and future.

Deuteronomy 31 13 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 31 marks a significant transition point in Israel's history, as Moses, at the end of his life, commissions Joshua as his successor and gives final instructions before Israel enters the Promised Land. Verses 10-13 specifically introduce the "Reading of the Law" (Haqhel), a commandment for the entire nation, including women, children, and resident aliens, to gather every seven years during the Feast of Booths (Sukkot) to hear the complete Law read aloud. The historical context is a pivotal moment as a new generation, born during the wilderness wandering, stands poised to inherit the land promised to their ancestors. Moses understands that while the first generation heard the Law directly at Sinai, future generations would need intentional and recurring exposure to God's commandments to ensure their faithfulness and continued enjoyment of divine blessings in the land. This ritual of public reading was designed as a crucial mechanism for covenant renewal and perpetuating spiritual understanding among the uninitiated.

Deuteronomy 31 13 Word analysis

• And that their children: Connects directly to the previous verse (Dt 31:12), which commanded the assembly of the entire community. The children are explicitly identified as a key demographic for this instruction.
  • Hebrew: וּבְנֵיהֶם (uveneihem) - "and their sons/children." This term broadly encompasses all offspring, boys and girls, highlighting the universal generational focus.
• who have not known it: Emphasizes the need for direct instruction for those who were not personally present at the Sinai revelation or during earlier teachings. They are uninitiated into the covenant commands.
  • Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדְעוּ (asher lo-yade'u) - "who have not known." The verb יָדַע (yada') means "to know," implying not just intellectual awareness but also experiential, intimate knowledge and acknowledgment. These children lacked a foundational, direct encounter with God's law.
• may hear: Refers to both the physical act of listening and, more profoundly, the understanding and internalization of the message. This hearing is active and purposeful.
  • Hebrew: יִשְׁמְעוּ (yishme'u) - "they may hear/listen/understand." From שָׁמַע (shama'), a fundamental concept in Israelite faith meaning to hear and obey, to give heed. It implies an attentive, receptive, and ultimately obedient posture.
• and learn: Denotes the process of acquiring knowledge, discipline, and understanding. It's an intentional process of education and internalization.
  • Hebrew: וְלָמְדוּ (v'lamdu) - "and they may learn." From לָמַד (lamad), meaning to learn, to be taught, to become accustomed to. This learning goes beyond mere factual recall; it involves behavioral modification and character formation.
• to fear: This "fear" is not merely terror but a profound, reverential awe and respect for God, which leads to obedience and worship. It is the proper response to His holiness, power, and covenant.
  • Hebrew: לְיִרְאָה (l'yirah) - "to fear." From יָרֵא (yare), indicating reverence, awe, worship, and respect that naturally prompts obedience and humility before God. It's foundational to wisdom (Prov 1:7).
• the LORD your God: Emphasizes the specific covenant relationship. This God is sovereign, holy, and in covenant with Israel. "Your God" implies a personal and communal relationship of belonging and accountability.
  • Hebrew: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (Yahweh Eloheikhem) - The personal, covenantal name of God (LORD), combined with the plural "your God," addressing the community as a whole.
• as long as you live in the land: Establishes a crucial condition and duration. Their continuous well-being and inhabitation of the Promised Land are contingent upon their faithfulness, which is fueled by continuous learning and fearing God. This links their physical presence and prosperity directly to their spiritual adherence.
  • Hebrew: כָּל־הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם חַיִּים עַל־הָאֲדָמָה (kol ha-yamim asher attem chayyim al ha'adamah) - "all the days that you are living on the land/earth." This phrase specifies the entire lifespan within the divinely gifted territory.
• that you are going over the Jordan to possess: Pinpoints the exact geographical and historical context, reiterating the imminent entry into Canaan and the divine purpose for which the Law is given—to guide them in this new inheritance.
  • Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ (asher attem ovrim et-haYarden shammah l'rishtah) - "that you are crossing the Jordan there to possess it." Reinforces the context of inheriting the land, linking their obedient living to their dwelling.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And that their children... may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God": This phrase succinctly states the overarching objective of the public reading of the Law. It highlights the direct pedagogical goal: to bring the uninitiated new generation into a reverential and obedient relationship with God through consistent exposure to His Word. This process is about establishing a fundamental orientation of their lives.
• "as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess": This segment clearly delineates the setting and the perpetual nature of the command. It's not a one-time event but a continuous mandate essential for their sustained existence and prosperity in the covenant land. Their spiritual adherence directly impacts their temporal blessing within the geographical bounds given by God. It also contains an implicit warning: failure to adhere implies a loss of the land, demonstrating the severe consequences tied to obedience.

Deuteronomy 31 13 Bonus section

The command in Dt 31:10-13, known as the Haqhel (הקהל - "assembly"), goes beyond mere information transfer. It functions as a public covenant renewal ceremony, solidifying the nation's commitment to God's Law collectively. The inclusion of "little ones" (Dt 31:12) signifies that even before full comprehension, children are part of the covenant community, demonstrating the pervasive nature of God's claims over families and future generations. The repeated, triennial nature of this gathering every seven years ensured that no generation could claim ignorance of the divine expectations for living in the Promised Land. This also serves as a polemic against reliance solely on individual or parental teaching, asserting the need for communal, public reaffirmation of God's word, emphasizing its corporate dimension. It reinforces that the land itself is not possessed by mere conquest, but maintained through continuous faithfulness to God's law.

Deuteronomy 31 13 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:13 powerfully encapsulates the divinely mandated intergenerational transfer of faith and covenant knowledge. It emphasizes that salvation history and God's directives are not static events confined to one generation but are dynamic truths meant to be perpetually heard, learned, and applied across all generations. The emphasis on "children who have not known it" underscores the critical responsibility of the current generation to actively pass on spiritual heritage to the uninitiated. The act of "hearing" implies not just audibility but a profound receptive listening that leads to "learning," which is deep internalization. The ultimate goal, "to fear the LORD your God," is central to the Old Testament concept of wisdom and true life, signifying reverent awe, submission, and loving obedience that flows from an understanding of God's character and commands. This continuous cycle of public teaching and personal learning ensures that Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, and their prosperity in the Promised Land, remain foundational and vibrant for future centuries, serving as a model for all communities of faith across time. This continuous engagement with God's word fosters both personal piety and corporate faithfulness, vital for enduring spiritual well-being.