Deuteronomy 11:18-20
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's not just about memorizing rules; "lay up these words... in your heart and in your soul" means deeply treasuring them with both your mind and your affections. The commands to bind them on your hand and between your eyes weren't meant to be literal, outward displays, but powerful reminders to keep God's wisdom constantly before you in every aspect of life.
This passage reiterates a command, echoing earlier instructions, urging the Israelites to deeply internalize God's words, not just as abstract rules but as guiding principles for their entire lives. This follows a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience and the potential for them to be quickly lost from the promised land. The verses immediately following will describe how this internalization should be practically expressed in daily life and passed on to future generations.
God doesn't just want us to know His commands; He wants us to internalize them. How does this internalizing happen?
The verse starts with a powerful directive: 'lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.' This isn't just about intellectual understanding; it's about deep affection and full commitment.
Heart and Soul
To 'lay up' these words means to treasure them, to store them deeply within, making them the foundation of your thoughts and desires. It's a deliberate act of making God's commands central to who you are.
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Beyond internalizing, God calls for outward, constant reminders. What does this visual commitment look like?
The command continues with 'bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.' This moves from internal disposition to external practice and constant awareness.
Signs of Devotion
These weren't just literal instructions for amulets (though that later became a practice). The core idea is that God's Word should be so integrated into your life that it constantly directs your actions and shapes your vision.
Why all this emphasis on heart, soul, hand, and eyes? What's the ultimate goal of this constant engagement with God's Word?
The ultimate purpose behind laying up God's words in your heart and binding them as signs is found in the surrounding context of Deuteronomy. It's all about ensuring unwavering obedience.
Why Obey?
This isn't just about following rules; it's about cultivating a life that honors God in every aspect, leading to His favor and enduring blessing.
Understand the original words
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the totality of a person's life, including their appetites, passions, and inner vitality. It is often used interchangeably with "heart" to emphasize total devotion to God.
oth · Hebrew Noun
A physical marker, token, or memorial intended to serve as a constant reminder of a truth, a covenant, or an event. In Scripture, signs are often used to ground spiritual truth in physical experience.
totaphoth · Hebrew Noun
Commonly known as phylacteries, these were objects or symbolic markers worn on the forehead or arm to signify that a person’s thoughts and actions are governed by God's Law.
This passage is a foundational parallel, directly instructing Israel to internalize and visibly display God's commands as a reminder for themselves and their children.
Exodus 13:16This verse explains the deeper meaning behind the 'sign on your hand' and 'frontlets between your eyes,' connecting it to God's mighty acts of redemption that should be remembered constantly.
Proverbs 3:1-3This passage offers a wisdom perspective, urging the reader to not forget God's teachings and to keep them in their heart, promising them length of days and peace, echoing the consequence/reward theme in Deuteronomy.
Matthew 15:8-9Jesus quotes Isaiah here, critiquing those who honor God with their lips and outward displays but whose hearts are far from Him, highlighting the internal focus commanded in Deuteronomy 11:18.
Colossians 3:16This New Testament instruction encourages letting the word of Christ dwell in believers richly, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns, reflecting the internalization and communal aspect of Deuteronomy's command.
clarkeDeuteronomy 11:18: "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes."
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words - See Deuteronomy 6:4-8 (note), and Exodus 13:9 (note).
calvinDeuteronomy 11:18-20: "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes."
- Therefore shall ye lay up these my words. He again demands their serious attention, lest if the doctrine he propounds should be only lightly and carelessly received, it should speedily be let slip; for to lay up in, or on, the heart, is the same as to hide deeply in it; although, where the word "soul" is ad…
It's not just about memorizing rules; "lay up these words... in your heart and in your soul" means deeply treasuring them with both your mind and your affections. The commands to bind them on your hand and between your eyes weren't meant to be literal, outward displays, but powerful reminders to keep God's wisdom constantly before you in every aspect of life.
This passage reiterates a command, echoing earlier instructions, urging the Israelites to deeply internalize God's words, not just as abstract rules but as guiding principles for their entire lives. This follows a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience and the potential for them to be quickly lost from the promised land. The verses immediately following will describe how this internalization should be practically expressed in daily life and passed on to future generations.
This passage reiterates a command, echoing earlier instructions, urging the Israelites to deeply internalize God's words, not just as abstract rules but as guiding principles for their entire lives. This follows a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience and the potential for them to be quickly lost from the promised land. The verses immediately following will describe how this internalization should be practically expressed in daily life and passed on to future generations.
"“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when y…" — It's not just about memorizing rules; "lay up these words... in your heart and in your soul" means deeply treasuring them with both your mind and your affections. The commands to bind them on your ha…
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