King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:13 in the King James Version says “And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye li...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”

Deuteronomy 31:13 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

11

When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

12

Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

13

And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

14

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

15

And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear—focused attention on the next generation who lacked direct experience of covenant formation or God's saving acts. And learn to fear the LORD your God—children must be intentionally taught reverence for Yahweh; it doesn't develop automatically. As long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it—generational faith continuity was essential for sustained land tenure under the covenant.

God's concern for children's spiritual formation pervades Deuteronomy (4:9-10, 6:7, 11:19, 32:46). The septennial reading ensured every child heard the law during formative years. Moses recognized that Israel's future depended on successfully transmitting faith to subsequent generations. Psalm 78:5-7 echoes this mandate: 'He commanded our ancestors to teach their children... so the next generation would know... and they in turn would tell their children.' Failure in generational transmission explains Israel's repeated apostasy and eventual exile.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC to a generation born in the wilderness who would be parents in Canaan. Their children—the third generation from Egypt—would face unique temptations: prosperity breeding complacency, Canaanite neighbors promoting syncretism, and no living memory of Egyptian bondage or Sinai revelation. Without deliberate instruction and regular law-reading, covenant faith would evaporate within generations. Judges narrates this tragic pattern: 'After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel' (Judges 2:10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does deliberate generational transmission of faith differ from assuming children will automatically adopt parents' beliefs?
  2. What's the connection between knowing God's saving acts (Exodus, Christ's resurrection) and ongoing faithfulness?
  3. Why have many Western churches failed at generational discipleship, and what would recovery require?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם1 of 24

“And that their children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֣ר2 of 24
H834

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

לֹֽא3 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדְע֗וּ4 of 24

“which have not known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

יִשְׁמְעוּ֙5 of 24

“any thing may hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְלָ֣מְד֔וּ6 of 24

“and learn”

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

לְיִרְאָ֖ה7 of 24

“to fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת8 of 24
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם10 of 24

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כָּל11 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיָּמִ֗ים12 of 24

“as long as”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 24
H834

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

אַתֶּ֤ם14 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

חַיִּים֙15 of 24

“ye live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

עַל16 of 24
H5921

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

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה17 of 24

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 24
H834

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

אַתֶּ֜ם19 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹֽבְרִ֧ים20 of 24

“whither ye go over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת21 of 24
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן22 of 24

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

שָׁ֖מָּה23 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃24 of 24

“to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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 31:13 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 31:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11:2Deuteronomy 6:7Proverbs 22:6Psalms 78:4-8Ephesians 6:4

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 31 →

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