Deuteronomy 6:20-21
“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?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just set up a hypothetical question; it highlights that the entire Mosaic Law, with its "testimonies, statutes, and rules," is meant to be a catalyst for deeper questioning and understanding. It's framed as a natural outflow of living within the covenant, expecting curiosity about the "why" behind God's commands.
The chapter is centered on the core commandment to love the Lord your God, urging Israel to internalize His laws and teach them diligently to their children. This verse specifically anticipates a future generation's curiosity, posing a hypothetical question about the meaning behind God's commands, statutes, and rules. The context is about passing down faith, explaining the "why" behind religious practices as a response to God's redemptive acts.
Ever wondered why we do what we do in our faith? This verse sets the stage for that exact conversation.
Moses anticipates a future generation, living in the Promised Land, looking back at the Law and asking, 'What's the point of all these rules and commands?' This isn't just about memorizing laws; it's about understanding their purpose.
The Core Question
The question, 'What do these things mean?' goes beyond simple definition. It's asking for the 'why' behind God's directives – the significance, the reason, the underlying principle.
A Legacy of Understanding
This question is crucial because it highlights the need for faith to be passed down not just as tradition, but with understanding. It’s about equipping the next generation with reasons to believe and obey, rooted in God's actions.
God's commands aren't just a dry list. They're packed with meaning and purpose. Let's uncover what they are.
The terms used here – 'testimonies,' 'statutes,' and 'rules' – each carry a rich layer of meaning that reveals the nature of God's Law.
Testimonies: God's Witness
'Testimonies' often refers to laws that serve as a witness to God's character and His covenant with His people. They testify about God and His faithfulness.
Statutes: God's Guiding Paths
'Statutes' points to ordinances or decrees, often suggesting established paths or ways of living that God has set in place for His people to follow.
Rules: God's Just Decisions
'Rules' (or judgments) can refer to legal decisions or principles of justice. They reveal God's standard of righteousness and His desire for His people to live justly.
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.
Par‘oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A sovereign ruler of Egypt, often viewed as a divine figure, who represents the oppressive power that enslaves God's people and opposes His will.
‘ebed · Hebrew Noun
Individuals held in forced service without freedom or rights; in a biblical context, it often symbolizes the bondage of sin or oppression from which God redeems His people.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, the covenant-making, self-existent I AM who redeems His people and enters into a personal relationship with them.
This passage directly sets up the practice of children asking about the meaning of rituals, specifically the Passover, which is a foundational 'testimony' God commanded.
Joshua 4:21-22Here, after entering the Promised Land, the people are instructed to tell their children the story behind the memorial stones, echoing the call to explain God's commands and actions when questioned.
Psalm 78:3-7This Psalm explicitly calls for passing down God's mighty deeds and teachings to the next generation, highlighting the importance of explaining God's law and history when asked.
Matthew 22:37-40Jesus summarizes the entirety of the Law and the Prophets with the commands to love God and neighbor, showing the ultimate 'meaning' behind all the statutes and judgments God commanded.
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…
The verse doesn't just set up a hypothetical question; it highlights that the entire Mosaic Law, with its "testimonies, statutes, and rules," is meant to be a catalyst for deeper questioning and understanding. It's framed as a natural outflow of living within the covenant, expecting curiosity about the "why" behind God's commands.
The chapter is centered on the core commandment to love the Lord your God, urging Israel to internalize His laws and teach them diligently to their children. This verse specifically anticipates a future generation's curiosity, posing a hypothetical question about the meaning behind God's commands, statutes, and rules. The context is about passing down faith, explaining the "why" behind religious practices as a response to God's redemptive acts.
The chapter is centered on the core commandment to love the Lord your God, urging Israel to internalize His laws and teach them diligently to their children. This verse specifically anticipates a future generation's curiosity, posing a hypothetical question about the meaning behind God's commands, statutes, and rules. The context is about passing down faith, explaining the "why" behind religious practices as a response to God's redemptive acts.
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"“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?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brou…" — The verse doesn't just set up a hypothetical question; it highlights that the entire Mosaic Law, with its "testimonies, statutes, and rules," is meant to be a catalyst for deeper questioning and un…
