Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

DEUTERONOMY 31:12KJV
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Deuteronomy 31:12 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 31:12 mean?

Deuteronomy 31:12 instructs that everyone in the community—including men, women, children, and foreigners living among them—should be gathered together to hear the law, so that they can learn, respect (or “fear”) the LORD God, and carefully follow all the commandments given. The verse stresses the importance of everyone, regardless of age or background, being included in learning and obeying God’s law.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He commands them to regularly assemble all people, even those not born Israelites, to listen to the reading of the law. The goal is that every person, from the youngest to the outsider, hears and understands what God expects, so the whole community lives according to these teachings.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 31:12

  • The word for “gather” is קָהַל (qāhal), which means to assemble or call together. This word highlights that the instruction is for a public, communal event, not just a private reading.
  • The term for “stranger” is גֵּר (gēr), referring to a foreigner or resident alien. Including the גֵּר (gēr) shows that God’s law was meant to be heard and respected by everyone living among the Israelites, not just those born into the nation.
  • The verb “hear” is שָׁמַע (shāma‘), which often means more than just listening—it involves paying attention and being ready to act on what is heard.
  • The word for “law” is תּוֹרָה (tōrāh), which means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. This emphasizes that what is being shared is guidance for life, not simply a list of regulations.

Why Deuteronomy 31:12 matters

  • Deuteronomy 31:12 makes clear that learning and following God’s instructions is not limited to religious leaders or adult men; it is for the entire community, including women, children, and outsiders.
  • The verse highlights the importance of regularly hearing the law aloud, suggesting that understanding and obedience are meant to be ongoing and shared experiences.
  • By including the “stranger” within the gates, the verse shows a concern for justice and inclusion, reminding readers that God’s expectations and care extend beyond ethnic or national boundaries.

Where else these words appear

“Gather” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“children” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

“learn” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
  • Proverbs 30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

“stranger” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
  • Deuteronomy 26:13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: