Deuteronomy 6:9

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:9 is a powerful instruction given by Moses to the Israelites, emphasizing the constant presence and influence of God's commandments in their daily lives. This verse is part of a larger passage (often called the "Shema" from Deuteronomy 6:4-9) that underscores the singularity of God and the importance of loving Him with all one's being.

Context

This command comes immediately after the exhortation to teach God's words diligently to their children (Deuteronomy 6:7) and to bind them as a sign on their hand and as frontlets between their eyes (Deuteronomy 6:8). Moses is preparing the new generation of Israelites to enter the Promised Land, reiterating the covenant and the laws that will define their relationship with God and their identity as His people. The commands in this chapter are designed to ensure that God's truth is not forgotten but is deeply embedded in the individual, the family, and the community.

Key Themes

  • Constant Remembrance: The primary message is to keep God's words perpetually in mind. Writing them on the physical structures of their homes and gates served as a constant visual reminder of their covenant obligations and God's presence.
  • Public Declaration: By inscribing these words on their homes and gates, the Israelites were making a public declaration of their faith and allegiance to God. It was a visible testimony to all who entered or passed by, signifying that this household was devoted to the Lord.
  • Sanctification of Space: This practice consecrated the home and its entryways as places where God's law was honored and lived out. It transformed ordinary spaces into sacred reminders of divine instruction.
  • Intergenerational Faith: This command reinforced the idea of passing on a spiritual heritage. The visible scriptures would prompt questions from children, providing natural opportunities for parents to teach them about God's ways, fulfilling the earlier command in Deuteronomy 6:7.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "posts" is mezuzot (ืžึฐื–ื•ึผื–ึนืช), which literally refers to the doorposts. This verse is the direct biblical basis for the Jewish tradition of affixing a mezuzah to the doorframes of Jewish homes. A mezuzah typically contains a parchment scroll with the biblical passages of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. The "gates" (sha'arim, ืฉืึฐืขึธืจึดื™ื) referred not only to city gates, which were centers of public life and justice, but also perhaps to the gates of individual courtyards, further emphasizing the public and private reach of this command.

Practical Application

While Christians today do not typically follow the literal practice of writing scripture on doorposts in the same way as the Jewish tradition, the underlying principle of Deuteronomy 6:9 remains profoundly relevant. It encourages believers to make God's word central to their homes and lives. This can be manifested through:

  • Visible Reminders: Placing Bibles, scripture art, or Christian symbols in prominent places within the home.
  • Family Devotions: Regularly reading, studying, and discussing the Bible as a family, embedding its truths in daily life.
  • Living Out Faith: Ensuring that the principles of God's word guide the interactions, decisions, and atmosphere within the home, making it a place that honors God.
  • Public Witness: Living a life that visibly reflects Christian values, serving as a testament to God's truth in the community, just as the gates served as a public interface.

Ultimately, Deuteronomy 6:9 calls for a faith that is not hidden but is openly embraced and actively lived out, permeating every aspect of life, from the most private spaces to the most public interactions, ensuring that God's truth is continually remembered and passed on to future generations, as expressed in Psalm 119:11.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 11:20

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

  • Isaiah 30:8

    ยถ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

  • Isaiah 57:8

    Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered [thyself to another] than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee [a covenant] with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest [it].

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

  • Job 19:23

    ยถ Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

  • Job 19:25

    For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

  • Exodus 12:7

    And they shall take of the blood, and strike [it] on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
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