Exodus 13:9
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
וְהָיָה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְא֜וֹת
And it shall be for a sign
H226
לְא֜וֹת
And it shall be for a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
3 of 19
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
H3027
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 19
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
וּלְזִכָּרוֹן֙
and for a memorial
H2146
וּלְזִכָּרוֹן֙
and for a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
6 of 19
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
בֵּ֣ין
H996
בֵּ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
7 of 19
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
עֵינֶ֔יךָ
between thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֔יךָ
between thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
8 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לְמַ֗עַן
H4616
לְמַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּֽהְיֶ֛ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֛ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תּוֹרַ֥ת
law
H8451
תּוֹרַ֥ת
law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
11 of 19
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
יְהוָֹ֖ה
hath the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֹ֖ה
hath the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּפִ֑יךָ
may be in thy mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֑יךָ
may be in thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
13 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
H3027
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 19
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
חֲזָקָ֔ה
for with a strong
H2389
חֲזָקָ֔ה
for with a strong
Strong's:
H2389
Word #:
16 of 19
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֥
brought thee out
H3318
הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֥
brought thee out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
17 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.Exodus 13:16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.Numbers 15:39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:Exodus 12:14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.Isaiah 59:21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.Romans 10:8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;Matthew 23:5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,Exodus 13:3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.Deuteronomy 30:14But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Historical Context
Later Jewish practice bound small boxes containing Scripture verses to forehead and hand during prayer. While Jesus criticized ostentation (Matthew 23:5), the practice attempted literal obedience to this verse.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you keep redemption's truth constantly before your mind without falling into empty ritualism?
- What does having God's law 'in thy mouth' teach about confession and verbal testimony's importance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery 'for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes' uses bodily placement metaphorically—constant remembrance affecting action (hand) and thought (eyes/forehead). Though later Judaism literalized this with phylacteries (tefillin), the primary meaning is comprehensive orientation of life around redemption. 'The LORD's law may be in thy mouth' means redemption shapes speech and confession.