Deuteronomy 6:20
“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What’s striking here is that the question isn't simply "Why do we do these things?" but "What is the meaning of these commands?" It points to a desire for deeper understanding, not just rote obedience, inviting a response that connects God's actions with His instructions.
This passage is part of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, urging them to faithfully obey God's laws. He's explaining how parents should teach their children about these commands, not just as rules, but as something to understand deeply. The verses that follow detail how to answer the children's questions by pointing to God's mighty acts of deliverance and His loving desire for their well-being.
That moment when your child asks 'Why?' can feel challenging, but in Deuteronomy, it's a sign of hope and a vital part of faith transmission.
Moses anticipates a future generation that might not have experienced the Exodus firsthand. Their faith needs to be more than just inherited tradition; it needs understanding. The 'asking son' is the catalyst for parents to explain the 'why' behind God's commands. This isn't just about reciting rules, but about connecting the dots between God's actions and His instructions. The question itself is a signal that the next generation is ready to engage with their faith on a deeper level.
The Bible uses specific terms for God's commands. What's the difference, and why does it matter for understanding their purpose?
Moses uses three distinct Hebrew words to describe God's commands: 'testimonies,' 'statutes,' and 'judgments.'
When a child asks 'What is the meaning?', they're not just asking for a definition of a single rule. They're asking about the purpose and significance of this whole system of divine instruction. It's about understanding that these aren't arbitrary rules, but expressions of God's character and His plan for His people.
Why did God give these commands? The answer is deeply personal, linking His mighty acts to His expectations for His people.
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Judicial decisions, ordinances, or legal judgments delivered by God to regulate the conduct of society and ensure justice in alignment with His will.
This passage describes a future question from a child about the meaning of religious rituals, directly paralleling the scenario in Deuteronomy 6:20 and highlighting the importance of passing down religious understanding through generations.
Joshua 4:6-7When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, their children would ask about the meaning of the memorial stones, prompting the parents to explain God's mighty acts, much like the explanation required in Deuteronomy 6:20 that connects laws to God's deeds.
Psalm 78:3-7This psalm explicitly states the purpose of teaching God's law and mighty deeds to the next generation, so that they would not forget God's works and would establish His law, which aligns perfectly with the intent behind the question in Deuteronomy 6:20.
John 6:48-51Jesus explains that He is the bread of life, connecting Himself to the Passover imagery and the sustenance God provides, offering a New Testament parallel to explaining divine commands by pointing to God's provision and redemptive acts.
gillDeuteronomy 6:20: "And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?"
And when thy son asketh thee in time to come,.... Or "tomorrow" (x); that is, in later times, as Jarchi interprets it; any time after this, and particularly after they were come into the land of Canaan, when the several laws, statutes, and ordinances appointed, would take place and be obeyed: what mean the testimonie…
clarkeDeuteronomy 6:20: "And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?"
And when thy son asketh thee, etc. - "Here," as Mr. Ainsworth justly remarks, "followeth a brief catechism, containing the grounds of religion." What mean the testimonies, etc. - The Hebrew language has no word to express to mean or signify, and therefore uses simply the substantive verb what is, i. e., what mean or…
What’s striking here is that the question isn't simply "Why do we do these things?" but "What is the meaning of these commands?" It points to a desire for deeper understanding, not just rote obedience, inviting a response that connects God's actions with His instructions.
This passage is part of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, urging them to faithfully obey God's laws. He's explaining how parents should teach their children about these commands, not just as rules, but as something to understand deeply. The verses that follow detail how to answer the children's questions by pointing to God's mighty acts of deliverance and His loving desire for their well-being.
This passage is part of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, urging them to faithfully obey God's laws. He's explaining how parents should teach their children about these commands, not just as rules, but as something to understand deeply. The verses that follow detail how to answer the children's questions by pointing to God's mighty acts of deliverance and His loving desire for their well-being.
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The 'meaning' of the commandments isn't found in the rules themselves, but in their context: God's redemptive actions. The commentaries highlight that Moses constantly reminds Israel that their obedience is a response to God's deliverance from Egypt and His bringing them into the Promised Land. The commands are not a burden imposed before a relationship, but a way to live out the reality of their new life because of God's grace. Obeying God's laws is how they demonstrate their gratitude and honor Him as the One who rescued and sustains them. This is about living out the 'terms of service' for the life God has already given them.
"“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?’" — What’s striking here is that the question isn't simply "Why do we do these things?" but "What is the meaning of these commands?" It points to a desire for deeper understanding, not just rote obedie…
