Deuteronomy 32:46
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 32:46
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.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 32 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of judgment, mercy, worship. 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 21-52: 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 32:46
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter
Cross-References
- Word: Deuteronomy 11:18
- Parallel theme: 1 Chronicles 22:19, Ezekiel 40:4