Deuteronomy 6:7
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The word "diligently" carries the sense of "sharpening" or "whetring" the words of God into your children's hearts. This isn't just about repeating instructions, but making them incisive and deeply impressive, like a finely honed blade. It highlights that the goal is for these divine truths to become part of their very being, ready to guide them in every circumstance of life.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage appears right after God's core commandments, emphasizing that the Law isn't just for individual obedience but for transmission through generations. Moses is urging the Israelites to deeply internalize these commands so they can actively teach their children, weaving the Law into the very fabric of daily life, from casual conversations to bedtime stories. This is presented as a vital strategy for the ongoing faithfulness of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
The Bible uses a powerful image of 'sharpening' to describe how we should teach God's commands. What does this intense imagery really mean for parenting?
The Hebrew word translated as 'diligently' here, 'shanan,' literally means to 'sharpen' or 'whet.' Think about sharpening a knife – it requires repeated friction and effort to make it keen and effective. This isn't about harshness, but about intensity and repetition.
Making it Stick
God's command to teach His Word isn't confined to specific times or places. It's meant to permeate every moment of life.
Deuteronomy 6:7 paints a vivid picture of constant engagement with God's commands. The repetition of 'when you sit... when you walk... when you lie down... when you rise up' isn't just poetic language; it's a blueprint for a life saturated with God's truth.
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Integrating Faith into Life:
This isn't about empty talk, but about making God's Word a natural, constant subject of conversation and reflection, integrating it into every aspect of our existence.
God's instruction starts with 'these words... shall be in your heart.' This isn't just about outward actions, but a deep, internal transformation.
Before Moses details the outward practices of teaching and talking, he lays the foundation: 'And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.' This is crucial – true outward obedience flows from an inward reality.
The Foundation of Faith:
The goal is for God's Word to become so ingrained in us that it shapes our very being, naturally spilling out in our interactions with others.
Understand the original words
shanan · Hebrew Verb
The act of instructing or training another in wisdom, law, or truth, often implying repetition or thoroughness to ensure understanding and obedience.
Jesus' Great Commission echoes Deuteronomy's command by instructing his followers to disciple all nations, teaching them to obey everything He commanded, emphasizing the continuous nature of spiritual instruction.
Proverbs 22:6This proverb speaks to the same core principle as Deuteronomy 6:7, highlighting the importance of early and consistent training in God's ways for a child's future.
Psalm 78:4-7This psalm is a powerful example of teaching future generations the mighty deeds of God, mirroring the diligent, continuous instruction commanded in Deuteronomy.
Ephesians 6:4Paul directly references the principle of upbringing in the Lord, showing how this ancient command to diligently teach children has been carried forward into the New Testament church.
calvinDeuteronomy 6:6-9: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:"
- And these words. In these four next verses God again commands (as before) the study of His Law. And first, indeed, He would have it implanted in their hearts, lest forgetfulness of it should ever steal over them; and by the word "heart" He designates the memory and other faculties of the mind; as though He had said that this was so great a treasure, that there was good cause why they should hide it…
clarkeDeuteronomy 6:7: "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Thou shalt teach them diligently - שננתם shinnantam, from שנן shanan, to repeat, iterate, or do a thing again and again; hence to whet or sharpen any instrument, which is done by reiterated friction or grinding. We see here the spirit of this Divine injunction. God's testimonies…
The word "diligently" carries the sense of "sharpening" or "whetring" the words of God into your children's hearts. This isn't just about repeating instructions, but making them incisive and deeply impressive, like a finely honed blade. It highlights that the goal is for these divine truths to become part of their very being, ready to guide them in every circumstance of life.
This passage appears right after God's core commandments, emphasizing that the Law isn't just for individual obedience but for transmission through generations. Moses is urging the Israelites to deeply internalize these commands so they can actively teach their children, weaving the Law into the very fabric of daily life, from casual conversations to bedtime stories. This is presented as a vital strategy for the ongoing faithfulness of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
This passage appears right after God's core commandments, emphasizing that the Law isn't just for individual obedience but for transmission through generations. Moses is urging the Israelites to deeply internalize these commands so they can actively teach their children, weaving the Law into the very fabric of daily life, from casual conversations to bedtime stories. This is presented as a vital strategy for the ongoing faithfulness of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." — The word "diligently" carries the sense of "sharpening" or "whetring" the words of God into your children's hearts. This isn't just about repeating instructions, but making them incisive and deeply i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
