What number verse is Deuteronomy 11:20 in the Bible?

Deuteronomy 11:20 is the 5,229th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Deuteronomy 11:20 sits at position 5,229.

Translation

King James Version

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

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KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt write ^H3789 them upon the door posts ^H4201 of thine house ^H1004, and upon thy gates ^H8179:

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Complete Jewish Bible

and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates -

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Berean Standard Bible

Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,

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American Standard Version

And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates;

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World English Bible Messianic

You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates;

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And thou shalt write them vpon the postes of thine house, and vpon thy gates,

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Young's Literal Translation

and hast written them on the side-posts of thy house, and on thy gates,

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Deuteronomy 11:20 presents a profound divine command to the Israelites, urging them to physically inscribe God's words upon the doorposts of their homes and their city gates. This instruction serves as a constant, tangible reminder of their covenant obligations, ensuring that the divine law permeates every aspect of their daily existence, from the most private domestic sphere to the most public communal interactions. It underscores the vital importance of perpetual remembrance, holistic obedience, and the diligent generational transmission of faith within the covenant community.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is situated within Moses's second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It builds directly upon the preceding verses, which emphasize the internalization of God's words ("lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul," Deuteronomy 11:18) and the diligent teaching of these words to one's children (Deuteronomy 11:19). Deuteronomy 11:20 extends this principle of pervasive engagement with the divine law from the internal and familial to the external and environmental, echoing and reinforcing the earlier command found in the foundational Shema passage (Deuteronomy 6:9). The broader context of Deuteronomy 11 focuses on the blessings that accompany obedience to God's commands and the curses that follow disobedience, making the visible display of the law a tangible expression of covenant fidelity.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Israelites were on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by pagan nations with their own gods and customs. This command for visible inscription served to distinguish Israel as a people set apart by their unique covenant with Yahweh. In the ancient Near East, inscriptions on gates and public structures were common, often proclaiming the power of kings or deities. However, Israel's command was unique: it was for every household, making the divine law a personal and pervasive presence. Doorposts marked the liminal space between the private home and the public world, while city gates were centers of commerce, justice, and social gathering. By inscribing God's words on these locations, the Israelites were visually declaring their allegiance to God and ensuring that His law governed both their private lives and their public interactions, creating a distinct cultural identity rooted in divine revelation.
Key Themes: Deuteronomy 11:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Constant Remembrance, ensuring that God's statutes and judgments are perpetually before the eyes and minds of the people, serving as an unceasing call to obedience and devotion. Secondly, it underscores Holistic Obedience, demonstrating that God's law is not confined to private thought or religious rituals but is to permeate all spheres of life—domestic, social, and communal—influencing every action and interaction. This speaks to a faith that is both internal conviction and outwardly expressed commitment. Thirdly, the command facilitates Generational Transmission of Faith, as the visible words would naturally prompt questions from children, creating organic opportunities for parents to teach and reinforce the covenant relationship, as explicitly encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:7. Finally, the act of writing on doorposts and gates symbolizes the Sanctification of Space, marking the home and community as distinct and set apart for the Lord by His holy law, thereby establishing a visible testimony to their covenant identity.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

write (Hebrew, kâthab', H3789): This primitive root denotes a deliberate, permanent, and authoritative act of inscription. It implies that God's words are not merely to be remembered or spoken, but physically recorded, signifying their enduring importance and the binding nature of the covenant stipulations. The act of writing makes the divine word a tangible, ever-present reality in the Israelite's environment, serving as a constant visual reminder.
door posts (Hebrew, mᵉzûwzâh', H4201): From a root suggesting prominence, this term refers to the vertical frames on either side of a doorway. The doorpost represents the threshold, the liminal space between the private home and the public world, symbolizing the domestic sphere of family life. Inscribing God's words here meant that every entry into and departure from the home would serve as a constant reminder of God's presence and commands, ensuring that the private life of the household was governed by divine principles.
gates (Hebrew, shaʻar', H8179): This refers to the large, fortified entrances of a city, which in ancient Israel were not merely points of passage but vital hubs of public life. City gates were where legal judgments were rendered, commerce was conducted, and social gatherings occurred. Placing God's words on these gates symbolized the pervasive influence of divine law over the entire community's public and civic affairs, ensuring that justice, trade, and social interactions were conducted according to God's standards and that the community's identity was outwardly declared.

Verse Breakdown

"And thou shalt write them": This is a direct, imperative command addressed to each Israelite, emphasizing personal responsibility. "Them" refers back to "these My words" from Deuteronomy 11:18, encompassing the entirety of God's covenant instructions and statutes. The command is not optional but a fundamental aspect of covenant living.
"upon the door posts of thine house": This clause directs the command specifically to the domestic sphere. The home is presented as the foundational unit for the reception and practice of God's law. It signifies that private life, family interactions, and personal conduct within the household are to be governed and shaped by divine principles.
"and upon thy gates": This extends the command beyond the private dwelling to the public, communal domain. It mandates that God's law must also visibly influence and regulate the collective life of the community, including its civic functions, legal proceedings, and economic activities. This ensures that the Israelite's faith is not compartmentalized but permeates all aspects of their existence, both private and public.

Literary Devices

Deuteronomy 11:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Merism, where "doorposts" and "gates" represent the totality of one's dwelling and public life. This figure of speech signifies that God's law is to permeate every conceivable aspect of existence, from the innermost private spaces to the outermost public spheres. The command also utilizes Symbolism, as the physical act of writing symbolizes the indelible and foundational nature of God's word, while the locations themselves (doorposts and gates) symbolize the boundaries and totality of personal and communal life, which are to be sanctified by the divine presence. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of Repetition or reiteration, echoing the similar instruction given in Deuteronomy 6:9, thereby reinforcing the critical importance and pervasive application of this command within the covenant.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

The command in Deuteronomy 11:20 profoundly underscores the holistic and pervasive nature of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. It reveals that the divine law was not intended to be a mere set of abstract rules or an internal spiritual discipline, but a tangible, visible, and ever-present reality that shaped every facet of life. This external display of God's words served as a constant pedagogical tool, fostering perpetual remembrance and encouraging active engagement with the divine will. The theological implication is clear: God desires a people whose entire existence—private and public, individual and communal—is saturated with His truth, making them a distinct, holy nation set apart by their visible devotion to His covenant. This outward expression was designed to continually prompt obedience, cultivate a unique identity, and facilitate the intergenerational transmission of faith.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While Christians are not bound by the literal command to physically inscribe words on their doorposts and gates, the profound underlying principle of Deuteronomy 11:20 remains profoundly relevant and spiritually nourishing for believers today. This verse challenges us to consider how we make God's Word visibly central and pervasively influential in our contemporary lives. It calls for an intentional integration of Scripture into our daily routines, ensuring that our homes are not merely places of dwelling but spaces where God's truth is actively discussed, displayed, and lived out. Furthermore, it compels us to examine our "gates"—our public interactions, our workplaces, our social media presence, and our civic engagements—asking whether these spheres also visibly reflect the principles of God's kingdom. This command encourages us to cultivate a holistic, integrated faith where our internal convictions are outwardly expressed, fostering an environment of spiritual formation for our families and a clear testimony to the world.

Questions for Reflection

How can we, in a modern context, embody the spirit of Deuteronomy 11:20 by making God's Word visibly central in our homes and public lives?
What practical steps can families take to ensure the generational transmission of faith, as implied by this command, beyond mere verbal instruction?
In what specific ways does our "public gate" (our interactions in the community, workplace, or online) reflect the principles of God's Word, and where might we need to grow?

FAQ

Is this command still literally binding for Christians today?

Answer: No, the literal command to physically inscribe words on doorposts and gates was part of the Old Covenant law given specifically to ancient Israel as a sign of their unique covenant relationship with God. Christians are under the New Covenant, where the emphasis shifts from external, physical markers to an internal transformation. As foretold in Jeremiah 31:33, God promises to "put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts." While the literal practice is not binding, the underlying principle of constant remembrance, pervasive application, and visible expression of God's Word remains profoundly relevant for believers, encouraging us to integrate Scripture into every aspect of our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What is a "mezuzah" and how does it relate to this verse?

Answer: A mezuzah (plural: mezuzot) is a small parchment scroll containing specific Hebrew verses from the Torah, primarily Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. This scroll is traditionally affixed in a decorative case to the doorframe of Jewish homes, usually on the right side as one enters. The practice directly derives from the commands found in Deuteronomy 6:9 and Deuteronomy 11:20, serving as a physical and spiritual reminder of God's presence, His commandments, and the covenant relationship.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Deuteronomy 11:20, with its powerful emphasis on the pervasive presence and constant remembrance of God's word, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the subject of God's word, but the living Word Himself, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). While the Old Covenant commanded the physical inscription of laws on external structures, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, promises a radical internal transformation where God's law is written not on tablets of stone or doorposts, but "on their hearts" through the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). In Christ, our very lives become the "doorposts" and "gates" where God's truth is displayed. As believers, Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17), and His Spirit empowers us to live out His commands, making our lives "letters from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:3). Thus, the outward, physical command of Deuteronomy 11:20 is fulfilled in the inward, spiritual reality of Christ's indwelling presence, transforming every aspect of a believer's existence into a living testimony of God's grace and truth, radiating from the heart outward into all spheres of life.

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Commentary on Deuteronomy 11 verses 18–25

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.

19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

Here, I. Moses repeats the directions he had given for the guidance and assistance of the people in their obedience, and for the keeping up of religion among them (Deu 11:18-20), which is much to the same purport with what we had before, Deu 6:6, etc. Let us all be directed by the three rules here given: - 1. Let our hearts be filled with the word of God: Lay up these words in your heart and in your soul. The heart must be the treasury or store-house in which the word of God must be laid up, to be used upon all occasions. We cannot expect good practices in the conversation, unless there be good thoughts, good affections, and good principles, in the heart. 2. Let our eyes be fixed upon the word of God. "Bind these words for a sign upon your hand, which is always in view (Isa 49:16), and as frontlets between your eyes, which you cannot avoid the sight of; let them be as ready and familiar to you, and have your eye as constantly upon them, as if they were written upon your door-posts, and could not be overlooked either when you go out or when you come in." Thus we must lay God's judgments before us, having a constant regard to them, as the guide of our way, as the rule of our work, Psa 119:30. 3. Let our tongues be employed about the word of God. Let it be the subject of our familiar discourse, wherever we are; especially with our children, who must be taught the service of God, as the one thing needful, much more needful than either the rules of decency or the calling they must live by in this world. Great care and pains must be taken to acquaint children betimes, and to affect them, with the word of God and the wondrous things of his law. Nor will any thing contribute more to the prosperity and perpetuity of religion in a nation than the good education of children: if the seed be holy, it is the substance of a land.

II. He repeats the assurances he had before given them, in God's name, of prosperity and success if they were obedient. 1. They should have a happy settlement, Deu 11:21. Their days should be multiplied; and, when they were fulfilled, the days of their children likewise should be many, as the days of heaven, that is, Canaan should be sure to them and their heirs for ever, as long as the world stands, if they did not by their own sin throw themselves out of it. 2. It should not be in the power of their enemies to give them any disturbance, nor make them upon any account uneasy. "If you will keep God's commandments, and be careful to do your duty (Deu 11:22), God will not only crown the labours of the husbandman with plenty of the fruits of the earth, but he will own and succeed the more glorious undertakings of the men of war. Victory shall attend your arms; which way soever they turn, God will drive out these nations, and put you in possession of their land," Deu 11:23, Deu 11:24. Their territories should be enlarged to the utmost extent of the promise, Gen 15:18. And all their neighbours should stand in awe of them, Deu 11:25. Nothing contributes more to the making of a nation considerable abroad, valuable to its friends and formidable to its enemies, than religion reigning in it; for who can be against those that have God for them? And he is certainly for those that are sincerely for him, Pro 14:34.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–25. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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