Deuteronomy 11:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Deuteronomy 11:18
After warning that turning to other gods brings ruin, Moses urges Israel to guard against forgetting by keeping God's words ever before them. The verse echoes the earlier command of chapter 6.
What Does Deuteronomy 11:18 Mean?
God's words are to be treasured inwardly and kept constantly before us so that they shape all we do. The word "therefore" ties this command to the warnings just given about forgetting God and drifting into idolatry. The remedy for forgetting is deliberate remembering. "Lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul" calls for storing God's instruction deep within, where it can guard the inner life against the pull of competing loyalties.
The images of binding words "upon your hand" and as "frontlets between your eyes" picture truth governing both action (the hand) and perception (the eyes). Whether these were meant literally, symbolically, or both, the point is clear: God's words should direct what we do and how we see. Faith is meant to be visible, practical, and ever-present, lived out in daily life rather than sealed off as a private feeling. Keeping God's words always in view is how a person stays faithful in a world full of distractions.
Deuteronomy 11:18 in the Original Language
The phrase "sim... al levav" means to set or place words upon the heart. "Totaphoth" (frontlets), a rare term, denotes a band or ornament worn between the eyes, picturing God's words kept constantly in view.
Bible Verses Related to Deuteronomy 11:18
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”
- Deuteronomy 6:6
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:”
- Proverbs 3:3
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
- Psalms 1:2
How to Apply Deuteronomy 11:18 Today
Guard against spiritual drift by intentionally storing Scripture in your heart and keeping it before your eyes, so it directs both your hands and your outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 11:18
What does Deuteronomy 11:18 mean?
God's words are to be treasured inwardly and kept constantly before us so that they shape all we do. The word "therefore" ties this command to the warnings just given about forgetting God and drifting into idolatry. The remedy for forgetting is deliberate remembering. "Lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul" calls for storing God's instruction deep within, where it can guard the inner life against the pull of competing loyalties.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 11:18?
After warning that turning to other gods brings ruin, Moses urges Israel to guard against forgetting by keeping God's words ever before them. The verse echoes the earlier command of chapter 6.
How can I apply Deuteronomy 11:18 today?
Guard against spiritual drift by intentionally storing Scripture in your heart and keeping it before your eyes, so it directs both your hands and your outlook.