King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:11 in the King James Version says “Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy wa...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:”

Deuteronomy 29:11 · KJV

Context

9

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

10

Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,

11

Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:

12

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: enter: Heb. pass

13

That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water. The inclusiveness extends beyond adult males to little ones (children), wives, and even strangers (resident aliens). This demonstrates that covenant community encompasses all who dwell among God's people, not just free adult males.

Children's presence emphasizes generational continuity - covenant commitments affect descendants. Including children in covenant assemblies trains them in community identity and obligations from youth.

That strangers participate shows covenant community is not purely ethnic but includes God-fearers from other nations who join themselves to Israel. This anticipates gospel inclusion of Gentiles into new covenant community.

The phrase from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water (lowest social positions) ensures no one is excluded based on low status. Before God, all stand equally under covenant obligation and blessing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Including women, children, and foreigners was unusual in ancient Near Eastern treaty contexts, which typically involved only male citizens. Israel's inclusiveness reflected God's concern for all who dwell among His people.

The strangers mentioned likely included mixed multitude who left Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38) and others who joined through conversion.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does including women, children, and strangers teach about covenant community scope?
  2. How does children's presence emphasize generational continuity?
  3. What does inclusion of strangers anticipate about gospel inclusion of Gentiles?
  4. Why is it significant that even lowest social positions participate in covenant renewal?
  5. How should churches reflect this inclusiveness in their covenant communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
טַפְּכֶ֣ם1 of 11

“Your little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

נְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם2 of 11

“your wives”

H802

a woman

וְגֵ֣רְךָ֔3 of 11

“and thy stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁ֖ר4 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּקֶ֣רֶב5 of 11

“that is in”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

מַֽחֲנֶ֑יךָ6 of 11

“thy camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

מֵֽחֹטֵ֣ב7 of 11

“from the hewer”

H2404

to chop or carve wood

עֵצֶ֔יךָ8 of 11

“of thy wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

עַ֖ד9 of 11
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

שֹׁאֵ֥ב10 of 11

“unto the drawer”

H7579

to bale up water

מֵימֶֽיךָ׃11 of 11

“of thy water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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 29:11 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 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:38Galatians 3:28Colossians 3:11Deuteronomy 5:14Joshua 9:21-27Exodus 12:48-49

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