King James Version

What Does Exodus 13:9 Mean?

Exodus 13:9 in the King James Version says “And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:9 · KJV


Context

7

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

8

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

9

And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

10

Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

11

And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The imagery 'for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes' uses bodily placement metaphorically—constant remembrance affecting action (hand) and thought (eyes/forehead). Though later Judaism literalized this with phylacteries (tefillin), the primary meaning is comprehensive orientation of life around redemption. 'The LORD's law may be in thy mouth' means redemption shapes speech and confession.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Later Jewish practice bound small boxes containing Scripture verses to forehead and hand during prayer. While Jesus criticized ostentation (Matthew 23:5), the practice attempted literal obedience to this verse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you keep redemption's truth constantly before your mind without falling into empty ritualism?
  2. What does having God's law 'in thy mouth' teach about confession and verbal testimony's importance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהָיָה֩1 of 19
H1961

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

לְךָ֙2 of 19
H0
לְא֜וֹת3 of 19

And it shall be for a sign

H226

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

עַל4 of 19
H5921

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

בְּיָ֣ד5 of 19

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

וּלְזִכָּרוֹן֙6 of 19

and for a memorial

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

בֵּ֣ין7 of 19
H996

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

עֵינֶ֔יךָ8 of 19

between thine eyes

H5869

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

לְמַ֗עַן9 of 19
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תִּֽהְיֶ֛ה10 of 19
H1961

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

תּוֹרַ֥ת11 of 19

law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

יְהוָֹ֖ה12 of 19

hath the LORD

H3068

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

בְּפִ֑יךָ13 of 19

may be in thy mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

כִּ֚י14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּיָ֣ד15 of 19

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

חֲזָקָ֔ה16 of 19

for with a strong

H2389

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

הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֥17 of 19

brought thee out

H3318

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

יְהוָֹ֖ה18 of 19

hath the LORD

H3068

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

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃19 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 13:9 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 Exodus 13:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study