Deuteronomy 6:7
What does Deuteronomy 6:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:7 means
This verse outlines the diligent and continuous instruction parents are to provide their children regarding God's commands. Teaching isn't confined to formal lessons but is to be a constant, natural part of daily life—at home, while traveling, at bedtime, and upon waking. This immersive approach ensures that God's truth permeates every aspect of existence, creating a culture of faith where the next generation is saturated with divine wisdom and covenant understanding.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Teaching them to your children with all care, talking of them when you are at rest in your house or walking by the way, when you go to sleep and when you get up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thou hast repeated them to thy sons, and spoken of them in thy sitting in thine house, and in thy walking in the way, and in thy lying down, and in thy rising up,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and thou shalt impress them on thy sons, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou goest on the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Context
Following the imperative for God's words to be upon the heart (verse 6), this verse provides the primary method for transmitting this internalized faith: diligent, continuous teaching to children. This moves the focus from personal internalization to intergenerational transmission. Verses 8 and 9 then provide further visible, concrete ways to keep God's words ever-present in their lives and environments.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 2:12
Jehovah recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.
- Matthew 12:35
The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
- Psalms 37:30
The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.
- Ruth 4:11
And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:
- Genesis 18:19
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
- Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
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