King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:46 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:46 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command you... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 32:46 · KJV


Context

44

And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. Hoshea: or, Joshua

45

And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:

46

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

47

For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

48

And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After reciting the song, Moses commands: 'Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.' The phrase 'set your hearts' (Hebrew sim lev) means deliberate attention and affection—not casual awareness but intense focus. The purpose extends beyond the present generation: 'which ye shall command your children'—intergenerational transmission of covenant faithfulness. The scope is comprehensive: 'all the words of this law,' leaving nothing optional or negotiable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This command comes at the end of Moses' life, as his final exhortation to Israel. He emphasizes teaching the next generation, a consistent theme throughout Deuteronomy (6:7, 20-25; 11:19). Israel's subsequent history shows tragic failure in this—judges period saw cycles of apostasy because 'another generation arose after them, which knew not the LORD' (Judges 2:10). Faithful transmission requires intentional effort, not passive assumption that children will automatically embrace parents' faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'setting your heart' on God's Word mean practically in your daily life?
  2. How are you intentionally teaching the next generation to observe God's commands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 22

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שִׂ֣ימוּ3 of 22

unto them Set

H7760

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

לְבַבְכֶ֔ם4 of 22

your hearts

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לְכָל5 of 22
H3605

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

דִּבְרֵ֖י6 of 22

all the words

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר7 of 22
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֛י8 of 22
H595

i

מֵעִ֥יד9 of 22

which I testify

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

בָּכֶ֖ם10 of 22
H0
הַיּ֑וֹם11 of 22

among you this day

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 22
H834

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

תְּצַוֻּם֙13 of 22

which ye shall command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת14 of 22
H853

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

בְּנֵיכֶ֔ם15 of 22

your 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

לִשְׁמֹ֣ר16 of 22

to observe

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת17 of 22

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת18 of 22
H853

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

כָּל19 of 22
H3605

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

דִּבְרֵ֖י20 of 22

all the words

H1697

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

הַתּוֹרָ֥ה21 of 22

of this law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

הַזֹּֽאת׃22 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)


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 32:46 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 32:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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