Deuteronomy 6:21-22
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
When sharing the story of Israel's liberation from Egypt, the point isn't just the immense power of God, but the stark contrast: from absolute slavery to being subjects of a covenant. This retelling isn't just about remembering a past miracle, but about understanding why God's commands are so crucial, making obedience a grateful response to being purchased by His "mighty hand."
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. And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Moses instructing the Israelites on how to pass down their faith to future generations. He's explaining that when their children ask about the meaning of the laws and commands God gave them, they should tell the story of their liberation from slavery in Egypt. This narrative serves as the foundation for understanding why obedience to God's commands is so crucial.
Every generation needs to hear the tale of God's rescue. But this isn't just history; it's the foundation of everything.
The Core of Faith: A Rescue Narrative
This verse isn't just an instruction; it's a command to pass down the story of God's salvation. When parents explain the Law to their children, the starting point isn't a list of rules, but a powerful memory:
This narrative is the emotional and theological bedrock for obedience. The rules that follow are not arbitrary; they flow from the gracious act of rescue. Understanding this rescue makes the commands make sense and inspires willing obedience.
When Scripture mentions God's 'mighty hand,' it's not just a metaphor. It signifies a power that breaks chains and overcomes all opposition.
The Power Behind the Promise
The phrase 'with a mighty hand' (or 'strong hand') is used repeatedly in Scripture to describe God's intervention. It’s more than just a display of strength; it signifies:
Ask a follow-up
This divine might is the guarantee that God’s promises are secure and that His people are safe under His sovereign care. It's the ultimate expression of His love and commitment.
Understand the original words
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.
’oth u-mowpheth · Hebrew Noun phrase
Extraordinary displays of divine power intended to authenticate God's message, reveal His glory, and deliver His people from their enemies.
This passage shows the continuation of the command to remember God's deliverance, highlighting the importance of passing down the story of the Exodus from generation to generation.
Psalm 105:5This psalm directly echoes Deuteronomy 6:21, emphasizing that Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God are rooted in His mighty acts of redemption, particularly the Exodus.
Joshua 24:6-7This passage recounts the Exodus narrative to the Israelites, reinforcing the theme that God's powerful intervention is the foundation for His people's freedom and their subsequent covenant obligations.
1 Corinthians 10:4The New Testament connects the 'mighty hand' of God in the Exodus to Christ, who provided spiritual sustenance and deliverance for believers, showing the enduring significance of this foundational event.
gillDeuteronomy 6:21: "Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:"
In order to lead him into the spring and original of them, and to acquaint him with the goodness of God, which laid them under obligation to observe them: we were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; were brought into bondage and slavery to Pharaoh king of Egypt, into whose country their ancestors came, and where they resided many years, and at length were re…
calvinDeuteronomy 6:20-25: "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. The sole point which Moses urges in these verses is, that the people should testify their gratitude by obeying the Law, and that the same religion, [232] which he commands the fathers to teach, should descend to their posterity. The sum is, that there was good reason why all the p…
When sharing the story of Israel's liberation from Egypt, the point isn't just the immense power of God, but the stark contrast: from absolute slavery to being subjects of a covenant. This retelling isn't just about remembering a past miracle, but about understanding why God's commands are so crucial, making obedience a grateful response to being purchased by His "mighty hand."
This passage is part of Moses instructing the Israelites on how to pass down their faith to future generations. He's explaining that when their children ask about the meaning of the laws and commands God gave them, they should tell the story of their liberation from slavery in Egypt. This narrative serves as the foundation for understanding why obedience to God's commands is so crucial.
This passage is part of Moses instructing the Israelites on how to pass down their faith to future generations. He's explaining that when their children ask about the meaning of the laws and commands God gave them, they should tell the story of their liberation from slavery in Egypt. This narrative serves as the foundation for understanding why obedience to God's commands is so crucial.
"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. And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household…" — When sharing the story of Israel's liberation from Egypt, the point isn't just the immense power of God, but the stark contrast: from absolute slavery to being subjects of a covenant. This retelling…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
