Deuteronomy 6:20
What does Deuteronomy 6:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:20 means
Moses anticipates a future scenario where a child, curious about their heritage, asks about the meaning and purpose of God's testimonies, statutes, and ordinances. This question signifies a new generation seeking understanding of their unique national identity and religious practices. It underscores the importance of intergenerational teaching and the need for parents to be prepared to articulate the theological and historical foundations of their faith to their children.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when your son says to you in time to come, What is the reason for these rules and laws and decisions which the Lord our God has given you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`When thy son asketh thee hereafter, saying, What <FI>are<Fi> the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when thy son shall ask thee to morrow, saying: What mean these testimonies, and ceremonies and judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded us?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When thy son shall ask thee in time to come, saying, What are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah ourGod hath commanded you?
Context
After a section emphasizing the reasons for obedience and the blessings it brings (verses 17-19), Moses shifts focus to the *future* and the vital role of parental instruction. This verse introduces the child's natural question about the laws, setting up the detailed answer that parents are to provide in verses 21-23, explaining God's redemptive history and its implications for their obedience.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 4:21
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
- Exodus 13:14
And it shall be, when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand Jehovah brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
- Deuteronomy 6:7
and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
- Joshua 4:6
that this may be a sign among you, that, when your children ask in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
- Exodus 12:26
And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
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