Deuteronomy 17:19

It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses instructs the future king of Israel to keep a written copy of the law beside him after taking the throne. The directive follows the command to write the scroll and precedes the warning against royal pride.

The words — וְקָרָא (ve./Ka.ra') translates as "and he will read," paired with כָּל־יְמֵי חַיָּיו (kol-yemei chayav) meaning "all the days of his life." These terms establish a continuous, non-optional practice rather than an occasional ritual.

The thread — The pattern of constant engagement with the text appears in Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, and Psalms 119:97. Each reference ties daily reading or meditation to obedience and stability.

Why it lands — The text commands the king to read the scroll daily to learn fear of God through careful observation of its statutes. A reader must treat Scripture as a permanent, active standard that shapes conduct before it shapes conviction.

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

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Cross-references

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.
2 Timothy 3:15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
John 5:39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
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.
Deuteronomy 4:10 The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”
Deuteronomy 6:6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.