Deuteronomy 6:9
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Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Moses, in this chapter, goes on with his charge to Israel, to be sure to keep up their religion in Canaan. It is much the same with ch. 4. I. His preface is a persuasive to obedience (Deu 4:1-3). II. He lays down the great principles of obedience. The first truth to be believed, That God is one (Deu 4:4). The first duty to be done, To love him with all our heart (Deu 4:5). III. He prescribes the means for keeping up religion (Deu 4:6-9). IV. He cautions them against those things which would be the ruin of religion - abuse of plenty (Deu 4:10-12), inclination to idolatry (Deu 4:14, Deu 4:15), and gives them some general precepts (Deu 4:13, Deu 4:16-18). V. He directs them what instructions to give their children (Deu 4:20, etc.).
Open source ↗6:9 Write them on the doorposts: In later Judaism, people placed portions of Deuteronomy in a small metal case (a mezuzah) attached to the doorframes of houses or other buildings. It was customary to touch the mezuzah when passing through the doorway to show respect for and dependence upon the Scripture.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,
Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.
Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.
Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.
They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.