Deuteronomy 31:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 31:13
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.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 31 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of discipleship, love, redemption. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-30: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 31:13
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.
Analysis
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.
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).
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?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Deuteronomy 11:2
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 6:7