Deuteronomy 11:18

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשַׂמְתֶּם֙
Therefore shall ye lay up
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
דְּבָרַ֣י
these my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#4
אֵ֔לֶּה
these or those
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
in your heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#7
וְעַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם
and in your soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#9
וּקְשַׁרְתֶּ֨ם
and bind
to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
#10
אֹתָ֤ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
לְאוֹת֙
them for a sign
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
יֶדְכֶ֔ם
upon your hand
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
#14
וְהָי֥וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
לְטֽוֹטָפֹ֖ת
that they may be as frontlets
a fillet for the forehead
#16
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#17
עֵֽינֵיכֶֽם׃
between your eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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