Deuteronomy 29:11
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
Original Language Analysis
טַפְּכֶ֣ם
Your little ones
H2945
טַפְּכֶ֣ם
Your little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
1 of 11
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
וְגֵ֣רְךָ֔
and thy stranger
H1616
וְגֵ֣רְךָ֔
and thy stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
that is in
H7130
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
that is in
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
מַֽחֲנֶ֑יךָ
thy camp
H4264
מַֽחֲנֶ֑יךָ
thy camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
6 of 11
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
עֵצֶ֔יךָ
of thy wood
H6086
עֵצֶ֔יךָ
of thy wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
8 of 11
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
Including women, children, and foreigners was unusual in ancient Near Eastern treaty contexts, which typically involved only male citizens. Israel's inclusiveness reflected God's concern for all who dwell among His people.
The strangers mentioned likely included mixed multitude who left Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38) and others who joined through conversion.
Questions for Reflection
- What does including women, children, and strangers teach about covenant community scope?
- How does children's presence emphasize generational continuity?
- What does inclusion of strangers anticipate about gospel inclusion of Gentiles?
- Why is it significant that even lowest social positions participate in covenant renewal?
- How should churches reflect this inclusiveness in their covenant communities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water. The inclusiveness extends beyond adult males to little ones (children), wives, and even strangers (resident aliens). This demonstrates that covenant community encompasses all who dwell among God's people, not just free adult males.
Children's presence emphasizes generational continuity - covenant commitments affect descendants. Including children in covenant assemblies trains them in community identity and obligations from youth.
That strangers participate shows covenant community is not purely ethnic but includes God-fearers from other nations who join themselves to Israel. This anticipates gospel inclusion of Gentiles into new covenant community.
The phrase from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water (lowest social positions) ensures no one is excluded based on low status. Before God, all stand equally under covenant obligation and blessing.