King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:18 in the King James Version says “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.”

Deuteronomy 11:18 · KJV

Context

16

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

17

And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

18

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

19

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

20

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

Read Deuteronomy 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The remedy: 'lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul.' The Hebrew sum (שׂוּם, 'place, set, establish') indicates intentional, permanent placement. God's words must be internalized, not merely heard. The command continues: 'bind them for a sign upon your hand' and 'frontlets between your eyes.' This produced the Jewish practice of tefillin (phylacteries)—leather boxes containing Scripture worn during prayer. While the command may be partly figurative (meaning constant mindfulness), Jewish tradition took it literally. The point: Scripture should govern actions (hand) and thoughts (eyes/mind).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This command repeats Deuteronomy 6:8, establishing the practice of Scripture memorization and display. Exodus 13:9, 16 first introduced this concept regarding Passover remembrance. Post-exilic Judaism developed elaborate tefillin practices. Jesus criticized Pharisees who made ostentatious phylacteries while neglecting Scripture's heart (Matthew 23:5). True obedience internalizes God's word.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'lay up' God's words in your heart versus merely reading or hearing them?
  2. How can Christians practice the spirit of this command (Scripture permeating thought and action) today?
  3. What is the danger of external religious observance without internal transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְשַׂמְתֶּם֙1 of 17

“Therefore shall ye lay up”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּבָרַ֣י3 of 17

“these my words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֵ֔לֶּה4 of 17
H428

these or those

עַל5 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְבַבְכֶ֖ם6 of 17

“in your heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְעַֽל7 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם8 of 17

“and in your soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּקְשַׁרְתֶּ֨ם9 of 17

“and bind”

H7194

to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)

אֹתָ֤ם10 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְאוֹת֙11 of 17

“them for a sign”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

עַל12 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יֶדְכֶ֔ם13 of 17

“upon your hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְהָי֥וּ14 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְטֽוֹטָפֹ֖ת15 of 17

“that they may be as frontlets”

H2903

a fillet for the forehead

בֵּ֥ין16 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֵֽינֵיכֶֽם׃17 of 17

“between your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 11:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 11:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Colossians 3:16Deuteronomy 6:6-9Proverbs 3:1Psalms 119:112 Peter 3:1-2Exodus 13:9

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 11 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes