Deuteronomy 32 46

Deuteronomy 32:46 kjv

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 32:46 nkjv

and he said to them: "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe?all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 32:46 niv

he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 32:46 esv

he said to them, "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 32:46 nlt

he added: "Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions.

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 46 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:46 records Moses' final and emphatic command to the Israelites. He urges them to profoundly internalize ("lay to your heart") all the instructions and principles ("all the words") he has delivered from God that day. The ultimate purpose is for them to transmit this divine law ("command your children") to future generations, ensuring their diligent obedience ("to observe") to the entirety of God's commandments, statutes, and judgments for their enduring welfare and covenant faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 32 46 Context

Deuteronomy 32:46 occurs at a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. It is part of Moses' concluding address to the Israelites, specifically following the profound and prophetic "Song of Moses" (Deut 32:1-43) and immediately preceding the pronouncement of his impending death (Deut 32:48-52). Having delivered a powerful summation of God's faithfulness and Israel's past rebellions, Moses now gives his final, most urgent charge. The Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, a new generation replacing many who died in the wilderness due to disobedience. The historical context emphasizes the precariousness of their covenant relationship and the vital importance of consistent adherence to the Law as the foundation for their survival and prosperity in Canaan. This verse is not just a general exhortation; it's Moses' dying plea, reinforcing the absolute necessity of retaining, cherishing, and transmitting God's comprehensive instruction (the Torah) to ensure a blessed future for themselves and their descendants in the land Yahweh had sworn to give them. It stands as a climactic emphasis on the perpetual relevance of the covenant for their corporate life.

Deuteronomy 32 46 Word analysis

• He said (וַיֹּאמֶר - wayyōʾmer): Introduces a solemn declaration, reflecting Moses' prophetic authority as God's spokesperson. This is not merely an advice, but a divine injunction communicated through the covenant mediator.
• to them (אֲלֵהֶם - ʾălēhem): Refers directly to all the people of Israel assembled before Moses, highlighting their collective responsibility.
• Lay to your heart (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם - sîmû ləvaḇkem):
  • Sîmû (from שִׂים - sim): "to set, place, put."
  • Ləvaḇkem (from לֵבָב - levav): "heart," often understood as the seat of the mind, will, intellect, emotion, and moral character in Hebrew thought, not just emotions. This phrase means to fix, impress deeply, or earnestly take into their minds and wills. It denotes internalizing the truth, making it an integral part of their being, beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It is an act of commitment.
• all the words (כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים - kāl-haddevārîm): Refers to the entirety of the divine commands, statutes, and ordinances given through Moses. This encompasses the full breadth of the Torah as expounded in Deuteronomy, leaving no room for selective obedience or neglect. It is comprehensive, demanding wholehearted adherence.
• which I command (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה - ʾăšer ʾānōḵî məṣawweh): Emphasizes Moses as the instrument of the divine command ("I" representing God's authority transmitted through Moses), underscoring the imperative and non-negotiable nature of the instruction.
• this day (הַיּוֹם - hayyōm): Highlights the immediacy and urgency of the command. It's for their present action and their present responsibility, underscoring that procrastination is not an option. The covenant relationship demands active participation now.
• to you (לָכֶם - lāḵem): Reaffirms the direct and personal accountability of each individual within the community, alongside their corporate responsibility.
• that you may command (אֲשֶׁר תְּצַוּוּן - ʾăšer təṣawwun): Implies an onward, generational transmission. The parents are commanded not only to obey but to issue the same divine commands to their children, maintaining the continuity of the covenant through education and instruction.
• your children (בְּנֵיכֶם - bənêḵem): Explicitly places the responsibility for passing on the faith to the next generation onto the current generation. This emphasizes the intergenerational nature of God's covenant and the critical role of parental instruction in spiritual formation.
• to observe (לִשְׁמֹר - lišmōr):
  • From שָׁמַר - shamar: "to keep, guard, obey, watch, preserve." It implies active, careful, and diligent obedience, not just passive awareness. It suggests protecting the Law's integrity and living by its tenets in daily life.
• all the words (כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים - kāl-haddevārîm): Repetition emphasizes the comprehensive scope of obedience, applying to every aspect of the Law without omission.
• of this law (הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת - hattôrâ hazzōʾt): Clearly specifies the body of teaching Moses has delivered. Torah ("law, instruction") is comprehensive divine instruction, guidance for life. The definite article "this" refers specifically to the whole Deuteronomic code that Moses has just recounted and re-affirmed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He said to them, Lay to your heart all the words... this day to you": This initial segment emphasizes the immediate, personal, and deep internal embrace of God's word by the current generation. It is about total internalization of the Torah within one's deepest being (heart/mind/will). This personal adherence forms the bedrock of communal faithfulness.
• "that you may command your children to observe all the words of this law": This second segment reveals the ultimate purpose and broader scope: intergenerational transmission and diligent obedience by successive generations. It links personal internalization to outward familial instruction, ensuring the perpetuation of the covenant through practical adherence by children. The Torah is presented as a living heritage, constantly observed and passed on.

Deuteronomy 32 46 Bonus section

The emphatic repetition of "all the words" signifies the indivisible and comprehensive nature of God's revealed will. No part of the Torah is to be ignored or considered less important. This highlights a holistic demand for obedience. Furthermore, the phrasing reflects a deep understanding of human nature: intellectual comprehension is insufficient without a deep spiritual commitment that integrates the word into the "heart," the very core of one's being. This proactive embrace of the Torah becomes the engine for not only personal righteousness but also for the critical duty of teaching and discipling the young, creating a virtuous cycle of faith transmission. This passage foreshadows the New Covenant promise where God's law would be written directly on the heart (Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10), a spiritual reality that empowers believers by grace to live out God's principles more effectively, rooted in an inner transformation. The verse sets the stage for Moses' immediate follow-up in verse 47, where he states that "it is no empty word for you, but your very life," profoundly linking the Word of God to existence itself.

Deuteronomy 32 46 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:46 is a climactic summary of the Law's significance, underscoring its dual nature: personal internalization and intergenerational transmission for the sake of obedient living. Moses, in his final moments, reiterates the fundamental principle that the survival and blessing of Israel in the Promised Land are wholly contingent upon their faithful obedience to God's Torah. This obedience flows not from mere external compliance but from a deep, internal commitment of the "heart," which governs thought, will, and emotion. The command to "lay to your heart" highlights that God desires active, wholehearted devotion and intellectual engagement, not just a passive reception of His word.

Crucially, the verse extends the responsibility beyond the current generation, making the instruction and spiritual formation of children a paramount duty. The covenant promises were generational, but their fulfillment depended on the consistent teaching and active obedience of each new generation. This divine mandate ensures the continuity of the covenant relationship and prevents the Torah from becoming a dead letter. For God's people, the Torah (His Word) is not merely a set of rules but the very source of life and flourishing (as Deut 32:47 explicitly states). Thus, this verse serves as a powerful reminder for all believers that diligent attention to God's Word, deeply engraining it in one's life, and faithfully transmitting its truths to subsequent generations are essential for thriving in God's will and inheriting His promises, both spiritually and practically.

Examples:

• A parent consistently reading the Bible with their children and discussing its applications.
• A believer intentionally memorizing scripture and reflecting on it throughout the day.
• A church committing to sound biblical teaching for all age groups, recognizing their duty to instruct the next generation.