King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 6:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 6:21 in the King James Version says “Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:”

Deuteronomy 6:21 · King James Version

Context

19

To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.

20

And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? in: Heb. to morrow

21

Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:

22

And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: sore: Heb. evil

23

And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.

Read Deuteronomy 6 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The commanded response begins with personal testimony: 'We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt.' Starting with slavery emphasizes grace—salvation is deliverance from bondage, not reward for merit. The historical specificity ('Pharaoh...Egypt') grounds faith in objective redemptive events, not subjective experience or mythology. The verb 'brought us out' attributes deliverance entirely to divine initiative. This verse models gospel presentation: begin with humanity's enslaved condition, then proclaim God's gracious rescue. The Reformed emphasis on God's sovereignty in salvation appears clearly—redemption is entirely divine work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt enslaved Israel approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13, Exodus 12:40), intensifying oppression with forced labor and infanticide before the exodus (Exodus 1:8-22). God raised up Moses, sent ten plagues demonstrating power over Egyptian gods, instituted Passover, and delivered Israel through Red Sea crossing (Exodus 1-15). This redemptive event became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, constantly rehearsed in worship (Psalms 78, 105, 106, 136). Christian preaching similarly proclaims redemption from sin's bondage through Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does beginning the gospel story with bondage rather than human potential emphasize salvation as grace, not merit?
  2. In what ways does the exodus serve as type and pattern for presenting Christian redemption from sin's slavery?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣1 of 11

“Then thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְבִנְךָ֔2 of 11

“unto thy son”

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

עֲבָדִ֛ים3 of 11

“bondmen”

H5650

a servant

הָיִ֥ינוּ4 of 11
H1961

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

לְפַרְעֹ֖ה5 of 11

“We were Pharaoh's”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם6 of 11

“in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיֹּֽצִיאֵ֧נוּ7 of 11

“brought us out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהוָ֛ה8 of 11

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם9 of 11

“in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּיָ֥ד10 of 11

“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

חֲזָקָֽה׃11 of 11

“with a mighty”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

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 6:21 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 6:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 6:17-18Ephesians 2:11-12Deuteronomy 5:6Exodus 20:2Deuteronomy 15:15Deuteronomy 5:15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 6 →

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