King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
Complete Jewish Bible:
This will serve as a sign on your hand and at the front of a headband around your forehead that with a strong hand ADONAI brought us out of Egypt."
Berean Standard Bible:
So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”
American Standard Version:
And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And it shall be for a token{H226} upon thine hand{H3027}, and for frontlets{H2903} between thine eyes{H5869}: for by strength{H2392} of hand{H3027} the LORD{H3068} brought us forth{H3318} out of Egypt{H4714}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 13:9
- And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 6:7
- And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:9
- And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18
- ¶ Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
Exodus 13:14
- And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
Deuteronomy 26:8
- And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
Matthew 23:5
- But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
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Commentary for Exodus 13:16
Exodus 13:16 is part of the instructions given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to leave Egypt after the final plague, the death of the firstborn. This verse encapsulates the theme of remembrance and identity within the historical context of the Exodus, which is a pivotal event in Jewish history and theology. The verse commands the Israelites to wear the exodus experience as a "token" on their hand and as "frontlets" between their eyes. This is not to be taken literally but as a metaphorical instruction to keep the memory of God's deliverance central in their lives, constantly reminding them of God's power and faithfulness.
The "strength of hand" mentioned in the verse refers to the mighty acts of God, particularly the plagues, which culminated in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. The phrase underscores that it was not by their own strength or merit that they were freed, but by the divine intervention of the Lord. This concept of God's strong hand delivering His people is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing God's active role in history and His commitment to His covenant promises.
In a broader sense, Exodus 13:16 highlights the importance of remembering God's actions in the life of the believer and the community. It calls for a tangible, visible reminder of God's salvation, which later became institutionalized in the wearing of phylacteries (tefillin) and the mezuzah on doorposts, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 6:8-9 and 11:18. These practices serve to transmit the faith from generation to generation, ensuring that the story of God's deliverance remains an integral part of Jewish religious life and identity.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H226
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹת
Transliteration: ʼôwth
Pronunciation: oth
Description: probably from אוּת (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H2903
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹפָפָה
Transliteration: ṭôwphâphâh
Pronunciation: to-faw-faw'
Description: from an unused root meaning to go around or bind; a fillet for the forehead; frontlet. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H2392
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹזֶק
Transliteration: chôzeq
Pronunciation: kho'-zek
Description: from חָזַק; power; strength. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.