Deuteronomy 6:9 - The Greatest Commandment

Audio Bible

Context

The Greatest Commandment
…8Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 10And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build,…

Cross References

Exodus 13:9
It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.Exodus 13:16
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.”Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. / Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,Proverbs 3:3
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Proverbs 6:21
Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.Proverbs 7:3
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.Isaiah 57:8
Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.Ezekiel 9:4
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”Habakkuk 2:2
Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.Luke 2:51
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.John 14:23
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Deuteronomy 11:20
And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

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.

Job 19:23-25
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! …

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Deuteronomy 6

Write them
This phrase emphasizes the importance of making God's commandments a visible and integral part of daily life. In ancient Israel, writing was a means of preserving and transmitting important information. The act of writing signifies intentionality and permanence, suggesting that God's laws should be deeply embedded in the lives of the Israelites.

on the doorposts of your houses
The doorpost, or "mezuzah" in Hebrew, is a significant location in Jewish tradition. It is the entry point to the home, symbolizing the threshold between the private and public spheres. By inscribing God's commandments here, the Israelites were reminded of God's presence and authority every time they entered or exited their homes. This practice is still observed in Jewish homes today, where a small case containing scripture is affixed to the doorpost. Theologically, it signifies that the home is a place where God's laws are honored and obeyed.

and on your gates
Gates were central to the life of an ancient city or community, serving as places of gathering, commerce, and legal transactions. Writing God's commandments on the gates implies that His laws should govern not only private life but also public and communal affairs. This reflects the comprehensive nature of God's covenant with Israel, covering all aspects of life. The gates also symbolize protection and security, suggesting that adherence to God's laws provides spiritual safeguarding for the community. This practice can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teaching of living out one's faith in both personal and public life, as seen in passages like Matthew 5:14-16, where believers are called to be the light of the world.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's commandments to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Doorposts and Gates
Physical structures in ancient Israelite homes and communities, symbolizing the entry points and boundaries of daily life.

Teaching Points

Symbolic Representation
Writing God's commandments on doorposts and gates serves as a constant reminder of His presence and authority in every aspect of life.

Integration into Daily Life
The command to inscribe God's words on physical structures highlights the need to integrate His teachings into our daily routines and environments.

Public Declaration of Faith
By marking their homes, the Israelites publicly declared their allegiance to God, encouraging believers today to boldly live out their faith.

Foundation of the Home
The home is a primary place for teaching and living out God's commandments, emphasizing the role of family in spiritual formation.

Community Witness
Gates represent the community, suggesting that God's laws should influence not only personal and family life but also societal interactions.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 6Does the historical absence of artifacts confirming the widespread practice of placing God’s laws on doorposts (Deuteronomy 6:9) challenge the chapter’s literal reliability? What defines a mezuzah?What defines a mezuzah?Deuteronomy 9:6 - Why does this passage emphasize Israel's unworthiness while other parts of the law emphasize adherence to commandments for blessings and favor?Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Write
וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם (ū·ḵə·ṯaḇ·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

them on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the doorposts
מְזוּזֹ֥ת (mə·zū·zōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4201: A doorpost, gatepost

of your houses
בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ (bê·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and on your gates.
וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃ (ū·ḇiš·‘ā·re·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

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Deuteronomy 6:9 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 6:9 You shall write them on the door (Deut. De Du)