Deuteronomy 32:46
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Original Language Analysis
שִׂ֣ימוּ
unto them Set
H7760
שִׂ֣ימוּ
unto them Set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 22
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֖י
all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֖י
all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מֵעִ֥יד
which I testify
H5749
מֵעִ֥יד
which I testify
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
9 of 22
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
הַיּ֑וֹם
among you this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
among you this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 22
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
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תְּצַוֻּם֙
which ye shall command
H6680
תְּצַוֻּם֙
which ye shall command
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
13 of 22
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
your children
H1121
בְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לִשְׁמֹ֣ר
to observe
H8104
לִשְׁמֹ֣ר
to observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֖י
all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֖י
all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
20 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
1 Chronicles 22:19Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.Ezekiel 40:4And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.Deuteronomy 11:18Therefore 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.
Historical Context
This command comes at the end of Moses' life, as his final exhortation to Israel. He emphasizes teaching the next generation, a consistent theme throughout Deuteronomy (6:7, 20-25; 11:19). Israel's subsequent history shows tragic failure in this—judges period saw cycles of apostasy because 'another generation arose after them, which knew not the LORD' (Judges 2:10). Faithful transmission requires intentional effort, not passive assumption that children will automatically embrace parents' faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'setting your heart' on God's Word mean practically in your daily life?
- How are you intentionally teaching the next generation to observe God's commands?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After reciting the song, Moses commands: 'Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.' The phrase 'set your hearts' (Hebrew sim lev) means deliberate attention and affection—not casual awareness but intense focus. The purpose extends beyond the present generation: 'which ye shall command your children'—intergenerational transmission of covenant faithfulness. The scope is comprehensive: 'all the words of this law,' leaving nothing optional or negotiable.