Deuteronomy 31:13
And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם
And that their children
H1121
וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם
And that their children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֗וּ
which have not known
H3045
יָדְע֗וּ
which have not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 24
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יִשְׁמְעוּ֙
any thing may hear
H8085
יִשְׁמְעוּ֙
any thing may hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלָ֣מְד֔וּ
and learn
H3925
וְלָ֣מְד֔וּ
and learn
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לְיִרְאָ֖ה
to fear
H3372
לְיִרְאָ֖ה
to fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 24
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 24
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
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֗ים
as long as
H3117
הַיָּמִ֗ים
as long as
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חַיִּים֙
ye live
H2416
חַיִּים֙
ye live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
15 of 24
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֹֽבְרִ֧ים
whither ye go over
H5674
עֹֽבְרִ֧ים
whither ye go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
20 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:2And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,Deuteronomy 6:7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC to a generation born in the wilderness who would be parents in Canaan. Their children—the third generation from Egypt—would face unique temptations: prosperity breeding complacency, Canaanite neighbors promoting syncretism, and no living memory of Egyptian bondage or Sinai revelation. Without deliberate instruction and regular law-reading, covenant faith would evaporate within generations. Judges narrates this tragic pattern: 'After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel' (Judges 2:10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does deliberate generational transmission of faith differ from assuming children will automatically adopt parents' beliefs?
- What's the connection between knowing God's saving acts (Exodus, Christ's resurrection) and ongoing faithfulness?
- Why have many Western churches failed at generational discipleship, and what would recovery require?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear—focused attention on the next generation who lacked direct experience of covenant formation or God's saving acts. And learn to fear the LORD your God—children must be intentionally taught reverence for Yahweh; it doesn't develop automatically. As long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it—generational faith continuity was essential for sustained land tenure under the covenant.
God's concern for children's spiritual formation pervades Deuteronomy (4:9-10, 6:7, 11:19, 32:46). The septennial reading ensured every child heard the law during formative years. Moses recognized that Israel's future depended on successfully transmitting faith to subsequent generations. Psalm 78:5-7 echoes this mandate: 'He commanded our ancestors to teach their children... so the next generation would know... and they in turn would tell their children.' Failure in generational transmission explains Israel's repeated apostasy and eventual exile.