Deuteronomy 11:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 11:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 11:20 instructs the Israelites to write God's commandments on the doorposts of their houses and on their gates, making these teachings a visible and constant part of daily life. This command highlights the importance of keeping God's words present in the home and community.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He is urging them to make God's instructions a central part of their everyday environment, not just something heard in formal settings. The verse emphasizes a physical reminder—putting the words on doorposts and gates—so that everyone in the household and those passing by are regularly reminded of God's teachings.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 11:20

• write (כָּתַב, kātav): This word means to inscribe or record. The instruction is not just to remember, but to physically write the commandments, showing a deliberate and lasting commitment.
• posts (מְזוּזָה, mezuzah): This refers to the vertical doorposts of a house. In Jewish tradition, this led to the practice of affixing a small case containing verses to the doorframe, but here it simply means making God's words part of the home’s entrance.
• house (בַּיִת, bayit): This word means house or household, indicating that the command is for every family and dwelling, making the instruction personal and communal.
• gates (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): Gates were the entry points to towns or family compounds. Writing the commandments here means bringing God's words into public and communal spaces, not just private homes.

Why Deuteronomy 11:20 matters

• Deuteronomy 11:20 clarifies that God's teachings were meant to shape both private family life and the broader community, not just religious ceremonies.
• The verse shows that faithfulness to God's instructions involves visible, ongoing reminders, not just internal belief or memory.
• This command connects to the wider passage, where Moses repeatedly urges the Israelites to remember and teach God's words to the next generation, making faith a lived, everyday reality.