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Deuteronomy 31:11

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When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

When all Israel {H3478} is come {H935} to appear {H7200} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} in the place {H4725} which he shall choose {H977}, thou shalt read {H7121} this law {H8451} before all Israel {H3478} in their hearing {H241}.

when all Isra'el have come to appear in the presence of ADONAI at the place he will choose, you are to read this Torah before all Isra'el, so that they can hear it.

when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel.

when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:11 presents a significant command given by Moses to the Israelites regarding the regular public reading of God's Law. This verse underscores the divine intention for the covenant instructions to be deeply ingrained in the national consciousness, ensuring continued obedience and a vibrant relationship with the LORD.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Moses' final instructions and exhortations to Israel before his death, as they stand on the verge of entering the Promised Land. It sets forth a future requirement for the nation. The specific timing for this reading is detailed in the preceding verse, Deuteronomy 31:10, which stipulates it should occur "at the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles." This triennial event, known as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals. The phrase "in the place which he shall choose" refers to the central sanctuary where the Tabernacle (and later the Temple in Jerusalem) would be located, serving as the focal point for national worship and assembly.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Centrality of God's Law: The command emphasizes that the entire nation, not just the leaders or priests, must hear and understand the Law (as detailed in Deuteronomy 31:12). This public, audible reading ensures that the divine instructions remain the foundation of Israelite society and individual life.
  • Covenant Renewal and Remembrance: The regular reading served as a national act of covenant renewal, reminding the people of their obligations and God's faithfulness. It was a powerful way to prevent spiritual amnesia and reinforce their unique relationship with the LORD.
  • Intergenerational Teaching: By commanding that the law be read "before all Israel in their hearing," including children, the verse highlights the importance of transmitting faith and divine truth from one generation to the next. It was crucial for future generations to know the statutes and judgments of God.
  • Community Learning and Unity: The gathering of "all Israel" fostered a sense of national unity and shared purpose under God's rule. Hearing the same words together bound the community in common understanding and commitment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "this law" in Hebrew is ha-torah hazzo'th, literally "this Torah." The term Torah is more comprehensive than just "law"; it encompasses instruction, teaching, and divine guidance. The emphasis on "in their hearing" (Hebrew: be'oznehem) underscores the importance of the auditory experience for understanding and memorization, especially in an oral culture. It wasn't enough to simply have the text; it had to be proclaimed and listened to attentively.

Related Scriptures

This command was fulfilled at various points in Israel's history. Joshua fulfilled this command shortly after entering Canaan, reading the Law to all Israel (Joshua 8:34-35). Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, Ezra the scribe famously read the Law to the returning exiles, explaining its meaning to them (Nehemiah 8:1-8), demonstrating the enduring importance of public scriptural instruction.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 31:11 offers timeless principles for believers today. It reinforces the vital role of God's Word in individual and corporate life. Just as ancient Israel needed to regularly hear and internalize the Law, so too do Christians need consistent exposure to and understanding of the Bible. This verse encourages:

  • Prioritizing Scripture: Both personal study and public reading of the Bible are essential for spiritual growth and knowing God's will.
  • Intergenerational Discipleship: It reminds parents and spiritual leaders of their responsibility to teach biblical truths to the next generation.
  • Community in Worship: Corporate worship, where the Word of God is proclaimed and taught, strengthens the body of believers and reinforces shared understanding.
  • Obedience through Knowledge: Knowing God's commands is the first step toward living them out, leading to a life that honors Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 23:2 (7 votes)

    And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.

  • Joshua 8:34 (6 votes)

    And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

  • Joshua 8:35 (6 votes)

    There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

  • Deuteronomy 16:16 (5 votes)

    Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

  • Deuteronomy 16:17 (5 votes)

    Every man [shall give] as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

  • Exodus 23:16 (4 votes)

    And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, [which is] in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

  • Exodus 23:17 (4 votes)

    Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.