Deuteronomy 6 6

Deuteronomy 6:6 kjv

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Deuteronomy 6:6 nkjv

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

Deuteronomy 6:6 niv

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

Deuteronomy 6:6 esv

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

Deuteronomy 6:6 nlt

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.

Deuteronomy 6 verses

Deuteronomy 6 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 6:6 means that the commands of God, particularly those just declared (the oneness of God and the command to love Him supremely), are not to remain external instructions but must be deeply integrated into one's innermost being. They are to become the very core and guiding principle of thought, feeling, and will, ensuring a personal and complete commitment to the covenant. This verse lays the foundation for authentic faith, making obedience a matter of the heart before it manifests in outward actions and is passed on to future generations.

Deuteronomy 6 6 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 6 is part of Moses's second address to Israel, given just before they enter the Promised Land. This section forms the core of the Shema (Deut 6:4-9), Judaism's central declaration of faith. Following the Ten Commandments and general covenant stipulations in previous chapters, Moses emphasizes the absolute unity of God (Deut 6:4) and the corresponding call for singular, complete love for Him with all one's being (Deut 6:5). Verse 6 serves as the command for where these fundamental truths, and by extension all of God's commands, must reside—not just as external rules but as internal convictions. The subsequent verses detail the practical ways to fulfill this internalization: teaching them diligently to children, speaking of them constantly, binding them as symbols, and writing them on doorposts and gates. The immediate context is thus foundational: a command for inner transformation that will lead to outward expression and faithful transmission across generations, establishing a unique and holy identity for Israel.

Deuteronomy 6 6 Word analysis

• And these words: (Hebrew: Ve'hayu ha'devarim ha'elleh)

  • Ve'hayu: "And they shall be" or "and it will come to pass." The conjunction "and" links directly to the preceding injunctions of the Shema (Deut 6:4-5), particularly the love for God. The future tense implies a divine expectation or command for their continued existence and application.
  • ha'devarim ha'elleh: "these words." The definite article ("the") refers specifically to the commands, statutes, and rules mentioned throughout Deuteronomy, but especially the core tenets presented immediately prior: God's oneness and the command to love Him. It's not just "words" but the Words of God, the essence of the covenant. The plural indicates the comprehensive scope of God's instruction, not just a single teaching.

• that I command you today: (Hebrew: asher anokhi metzavekha hayom)

  • asher anokhi metzavekha: "that I am commanding you." This emphasizes Moses as God's mediator, speaking on God's behalf. It highlights the divine authority behind the command. The active participle suggests an ongoing, present command.
  • hayom: "today." This word is critically important in Deuteronomy, appearing over 100 times. It does not just mean "on this particular day" but conveys a sense of perpetual present relevance and urgency. For the original audience, it was the "today" of their entering the land. For all subsequent generations, it is the "today" of hearing God's Word proclaimed—always fresh, always applicable, always demanding a current response. It prevents the commands from becoming relics of the past.

• shall be on your heart: (Hebrew: al-levavekha)

  • al: "upon" or "on." Implies something placed, inscribed, or situated.
  • levavekha: "your heart." In ancient Near Eastern, especially Hebrew, thought, the "heart" (lev/lebab) is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of the entire inner person. It encompasses:
    • Intellect/Mind: Where understanding, knowledge, and memory reside (e.g., Deut 4:39, Psa 119:11).
    • Will/Decision: The faculty for choices, intentions, and resolves (e.g., Prov 16:9, Gen 6:5).
    • Emotions/Feelings: The source of love, joy, sorrow, and desire (e.g., Deut 6:5, Prov 23:7).
    • Conscience: The inner sense of right and wrong (e.g., Rom 2:15).
    • Thus, "on your heart" means a complete internalization—that the words are not merely recited or memorized, but thoroughly grasped, truly believed, passionately desired, and deeply chosen as the guiding principles for life. It's about a fundamental transformation of one's core being, impacting thoughts, desires, and actions. This stands in stark contrast to mere external conformity or ritualism, hinting at a polemic against superficial religious adherence seen in surrounding cultures.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And these words...today": This opening phrase emphasizes the authority (commanded), the scope (these words, i.e., the entirety of the divine instruction), and the urgency/perpetual relevance (today) of the divine message. It implies a dynamic relationship where God's commands are continually engaging and demanding a response from His people in every generation.
  • "shall be on your heart": This crucial phrase outlines the depth of commitment required. It's a call to move beyond mere intellectual understanding or external performance. The essence of the covenant must penetrate and redefine the individual's inner world, making it the central organizing principle of their identity and life. It's about personal assimilation and wholehearted devotion, making the words foundational to every aspect of existence, serving as the spring from which all actions flow.

Deuteronomy 6 6 Bonus section

• Not just memorization: While memorization aids in retention, "on your heart" goes beyond rote learning to imply a genuine affection for and adherence to the word, so it becomes part of who you are, guiding internal processes before external acts.
• Source of action: For the Israelite, and for believers today, what is on the heart ultimately determines one's conduct and character (cf. Prov 4:23). Thus, the proper placement of God's words on the heart is paramount for righteous living.
• Divine Initiative: While it is a command for the people, the New Covenant promises in Jer 31:33 and Heb 8:10 indicate God's active work in fulfilling this same principle by writing His law directly on human hearts through His Spirit, enabling a willing obedience from within. This highlights that deep heart transformation is ultimately a gift of grace, enabling humanity to truly love and obey.
• Distinguishing mark: For ancient Israel, internalizing the Torah in such a holistic way distinguished them from surrounding nations whose religious practices were often external and ritualistic without necessarily requiring true internal commitment to their deities' ethical demands.

Deuteronomy 6 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:6 serves as a foundational command for the internal assimilation of God's Word. It instructs Israel that the divine decrees, particularly the declaration of God's unity and the supreme command to love Him with all one's being, are not external burdens but deeply embedded principles within their core. The "heart" in this context encompasses intellect, will, and emotion, meaning a holistic internalizing process where God's words inform thinking, guide choices, and shape desires. The recurring "today" highlights the perpetual, fresh relevance of God's command for every generation, underscoring that faith is a living, active, and immediate response, not a passive inheritance. This internalization is essential not only for personal obedience but also as the prerequisite for diligently teaching the next generation, making the transmission of faith authentic and vital. It counters any tendency towards ritualism or superficial adherence, emphasizing that true religion begins with a transformed heart that cherishes and embodies God's truth. This deep-seated commitment becomes the spring of all subsequent actions commanded in the Shema, such as diligently teaching and symbolically displaying God's words, fostering a distinct identity for God's covenant people.