Deuteronomy 31:11
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Original Language Analysis
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
When all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
When all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֵֽרָאוֹת֙
to appear
H7200
לֵֽרָאוֹת֙
to appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 19
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵי֙
before
H6440
פְּנֵי֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בַּמָּק֖וֹם
in the place
H4725
בַּמָּק֖וֹם
in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחָ֑ר
which he shall choose
H977
יִבְחָ֑ר
which he shall choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
תִּקְרָ֞א
thou shalt read
H7121
תִּקְרָ֞א
thou shalt read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
12 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה
this law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה
this law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
14 of 19
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
נֶ֥גֶד
H5048
נֶ֥גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
16 of 19
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Kings 23:2And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.Exodus 34:24For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.Deuteronomy 12:5But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:Acts 13:15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.Acts 15:21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.Psalms 84:7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.Nehemiah 9:3And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.Nehemiah 8:13And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
Historical Context
Prescribed circa 1406 BC, anticipating centralized worship 'in the place which he shall choose' (ultimately Jerusalem's temple). Before Solomon's temple (960 BC), the tabernacle at Shiloh and other locations served this function. The requirement for all Israel to hear presupposed pilgrimage feasts drawing crowds from across the nation. Jesus Himself participated in this tradition, hearing Scripture read in synagogues (Luke 4:16-21) and teaching at Jerusalem during festivals.
Questions for Reflection
- How does public reading of Scripture differ in effect from private reading? What's lost when we abandon corporate reading?
- Why was oral hearing the primary means of Scripture transmission, and what does this teach about accessibility?
- How should churches balance exposition (explaining Scripture) with simple reading (letting Scripture speak)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose—the central sanctuary (later Jerusalem) during the pilgrimage feast. Thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing—public oral reading to the assembled nation. The Hebrew tiqra et-hatorah hazot (תִּקְרָא אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת) emphasizes proclamation, not silent reading. The entire law was to be heard audibly by everyone present.
This command presumes most Israelites couldn't read—literacy was limited to scribes, priests, and aristocrats. Oral reading democratized access to God's word, ensuring the illiterate majority could know divine requirements. The practice also created communal experience—hearing together bound Israel as covenant people. Ezra's later reading (Nehemiah 8:1-8) took hours, with Levites circulating to explain meanings. Public Scripture reading remains essential in Christian worship (1 Timothy 4:13), continuing this pattern of gathered believers hearing God's word proclaimed.