Deuteronomy 6 20

Deuteronomy 6:20 kjv

And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

Deuteronomy 6:20 nkjv

"When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?'

Deuteronomy 6:20 niv

In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?"

Deuteronomy 6:20 esv

"When your son asks you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?'

Deuteronomy 6:20 nlt

"In the future your children will ask you, 'What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the LORD our God has commanded us to obey?'

Deuteronomy 6 verses

Deuteronomy 6 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 6:20 presents a pivotal scenario where the next generation, through the curiosity of a child, actively inquires about the foundational principles of their faith and identity. It envisions a future moment when a son will ask for the deep significance behind God's commands—the testimonies, statutes, and rules. This verse highlights the expected role of parents as primary educators of the faith, not merely to transmit information, but to explain the purpose and divine authority of Yahweh's instructions, ensuring the spiritual legacy endures.

Deuteronomy 6 20 Context

Deuteronomy 6 forms the core of the Shema (Dt 6:4-9), Israel's central declaration of faith: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. The preceding verses emphasize the paramount importance of loving God wholeheartedly and diligently impressing His commands upon one's children. Deuteronomy 6:20-25 provides an anticipatory catechism, outlining the ideal response when future generations inquire about the divine precepts. This section moves from general instruction (vv. 6-9) to specific examples of its application (vv. 20-25), portraying faith as a lived reality transmitted inter-generationally through a cycle of questioning and response. Historically, Israel was on the threshold of entering the promised land, about to face new challenges and temptations, including the pagan practices of the Canaanites. The emphasis on teaching and remembering Yahweh's distinct commands was a crucial polemic against the polytheistic and immoral cults prevalent in the surrounding nations, asserting Yahweh's exclusive authority and His perfect laws as the source of life and identity for Israel.

Deuteronomy 6 20 Word analysis

• "When your son asks you": The Hebrew "bēn" (בֵּן) for son refers broadly to a male descendant or the succeeding generation. "Sha'al" (שָׁאַל), "asks," implies a genuine inquiry, a seeking of understanding, rather than a passive reception of information. This underscores the natural curiosity of children and their legitimate right to seek meaning, presenting an opportune moment for parental teaching.

• "in time to come": The Hebrew "machar" (מָחָר), meaning "tomorrow" or "future," indicates a perpetual responsibility for ongoing instruction, not just a one-time event. It implies foresight and preparedness on the part of the parent.

• "'What is the meaning...?'": The Hebrew "mah" (מַה), "what," functions here not as a request for rote memorization of laws, but a profound inquiry into their essence, purpose, and theological significance. It seeks the "why" behind the "what," highlighting a desire for internal understanding and relevance. This reflects a catechetical pattern evident throughout the Torah.

• "testimonies" (עֵדֹת, ʿēdōt): Refers to solemn declarations or covenant stipulations given by God, acting as witnesses to His character and will. These are often broad principles or reminders of historical acts, particularly the exodus and covenant at Sinai. They testify to God's relationship with Israel.

• "statutes" (חֻקִּים, ḥuqqîm): Implies prescribed laws or ordinances, often cultic, ritualistic, or fixed decrees that outline Israel's worship and ethical behavior. These are foundational, "engraved" principles or judgments that define communal life.

• "rules" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mišpāṭîm): Pertains to judgments, decisions, or judicial applications of God's justice. These are typically case laws, civil regulations, or ethical norms applied in everyday life, focusing on equitable societal function.

• "the Lord our God" (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, Yahweh Eloheinu): This phrase emphasizes both God's personal covenant name (Yahweh) and His universal power as creator and sustainer (Elohim), specifically linked to Israel through the possessive "our." It affirms His unique identity and sovereign authority as the source of these commands, establishing their non-negotiable, divine origin.

• "has commanded you" (צִוָּנוּ, tzivvanu): The Hebrew verb "tzavah" is a strong term denoting a direct and authoritative divine injunction, not an suggestion. It underscores the mandatory and authoritative nature of these instructions, indicating they are given for the well-being and holiness of the covenant people.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "testimonies and the statutes and the rules": This is a comprehensive triad that encompasses the full scope of divine law. "Testimonies" relate to covenant relationships and God's declarations, "statutes" to decrees and ordinances often without clear human rationale, and "rules" to civil or judicial laws where principles of justice are applied. This tri-fold emphasis covers every facet of the Law—moral, civil, ceremonial—demonstrating God's holistic claim on His people's lives. It shows that God's law is not fragmented but a coherent whole, touching all areas of existence.
  • "the Lord our God has commanded you": This phrase asserts the divine authorship and therefore the absolute authority of the law. It clarifies that these are not human traditions or arbitrary customs but direct divine instructions originating from the God who has uniquely bound Himself to Israel through a covenant. The communal "our God" reinforces the corporate identity and shared obligation under this divine mandate. This directly contrasts with laws of surrounding pagan nations which were often arbitrary or tied to fallible human rulers.

Deuteronomy 6 20 Bonus section

The scenario in Deuteronomy 6:20 echoes the instructions given for Passover in Exodus 12:26-27 and 13:8, 14, where a child's inquiry regarding the meaning of the rituals becomes the catalyst for rehearsing God's mighty act of redemption. This establishes a foundational pattern for Israel's worship and cultural identity, embedding pedagogical opportunities within everyday life and ritual. This specific context also pre-empts the challenge of a future generation who did not personally experience the Exodus or Sinai covenant, emphasizing that their faith would not be based on blind adherence but on an informed understanding transmitted through authoritative teaching. It highlights Deuteronomy's overall catechetical purpose, shaping Israel as a nation instructed by Yahweh, providing a clear blueprint for counteracting the influence of surrounding polytheistic cultures by centering their lives on God's revealed will. The question itself, "What is the meaning...?" underscores the relational aspect of faith, inviting explanation, discourse, and deep personal appropriation rather than mere adherence to rules.

Deuteronomy 6 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:20 encapsulates a fundamental principle of faith transmission: intergenerational catechism based on divine initiative and human inquiry. It sets forth an ideal interaction, anticipating a child's natural curiosity as a God-given opportunity for parents to actively engage in teaching the historical redemptive acts and the ongoing moral obligations of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This instruction goes beyond mere rote recitation; it demands an explanation of the "meaning"—the why these commands are essential, how they express God's character, and how they define Israel's unique identity and purpose. The passage grounds these explanations in God's mighty acts (vv. 21-25), demonstrating that the Law is not abstract but a response to God's love and deliverance. This dialogue serves as a safeguard against forgetting God's works and drifting into idolatry or assimilation, fostering a living faith that shapes identity and directs conduct.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • When a child asks why a family prays before meals, explaining it's a way to thank God for His provision and remember His command to be grateful.
  • When a youth questions the relevance of biblical moral standards in modern society, explaining their unchanging wisdom and God's design for human flourishing.
  • Explaining to children the significance of church attendance or Christian holidays by connecting them to Christ's life, death, and resurrection as acts of God's love and command for corporate worship and remembrance.