Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 11:18
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, immediately after warning them that covenant failure will bring divine anger and expulsion from the land.
The words — וְשַׂמְתֶּם (wəśamtem) translates literally as "you will put," directing the audience to place the preceding commandments on their hearts and being.
The thread — The command to internalize divine instruction appears in Deuteronomy 6:6, while the directive to teach those words to children and speak them during daily routines continues in Deuteronomy 11:19.
Why it lands — The text requires immediate, habitual internalization and outward practice of the covenant instructions, leaving no allowance for passive or occasional engagement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 6:6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
- Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- Psalms 119:11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
- 2 Peter 3:1 Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
- Exodus 13:9 It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.
- Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
- 2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
- Exodus 13:16 So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”
- Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.