Deuteronomy 11:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### 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](/deuteronomy/11-18 "Deuteronomy 11:18 - Internalizing God's Word")) and the diligent teaching of these words to one's children ([Deuteronomy 11:19](/deuteronomy/11-19 "Deuteronomy 11:19 - Teaching Children")). 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](/deuteronomy/6-9 "Deuteronomy 6:9 - Command to Write on Doorposts")). 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](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teaching Children Diligently"). 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, _katab'_):** This verb denotes a deliberate, permanent, and authoritative act of inscription. It implies that the 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.
* **door posts (Hebrew, _mezuzot'_):** These are the vertical frames on either side of a doorway. The term is the origin of the Jewish tradition of the _mezuzah_. The doorpost represents the threshold, the entrance and exit point of the home, symbolizing the private sphere of family life. Inscribing God's words here meant that every entry and departure from the home would be a reminder of God's presence and commands.
* **gates (Hebrew, _sha'areykha'_):** This refers primarily to the large, fortified gates of a city, which were not just points of entry but also 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.

#### 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](/deuteronomy/11-18 "Deuteronomy 11:18 - Internalizing God's Word"), 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](/deuteronomy/6-9 "Deuteronomy 6:9 - Command to Write on Doorposts"), 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.

* [Deuteronomy 6:9](/deuteronomy/6-9 "Deuteronomy 6:9 - Command to Write on Doorposts")
* [Exodus 13:9](/exodus/13-9 "Exodus 13:9 - Sign on Hand and Forehead")
* [Proverbs 3:3](/proverbs/3-3 "Proverbs 3:3 - Write on Tablet of Heart")

### 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](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - New Covenant on the Heart"), 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](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")).

**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](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema") and [Deuteronomy 11:13-21](/deuteronomy/11-13 "Deuteronomy 11:13-21 - Obedience and Blessing"). 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](/deuteronomy/6-9 "Deuteronomy 6:9 - Write on Doorposts") and [Deuteronomy 11:20](/deuteronomy/11-20 "Deuteronomy 11:20 - Write on Doorposts and Gates"), 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). 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](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - New Covenant on the Heart"); [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - Law Written on Hearts")). 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](/ephesians/3-17 "Ephesians 3:17 - Christ Dwelling in Hearts")), 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](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Living Letters")). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 6:9

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.