Deuteronomy 31:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Children who have not yet experienced the covenant will learn to fear the LORD.
The Context of Deuteronomy 31:13
The next generation will learn God's law through repeated public proclamation.
What Does Deuteronomy 31:13 Mean?
The next generation—children born in Egypt or the wilderness who have no living memory of earlier events—must hear and internalize the law for themselves. Moses recognizes that covenant faithfulness is not automatic; each generation must choose obedience anew, grounded in knowledge of God's word.
The phrase "as long as ye live in the land" signals that this learning is not a one-time event but a lifelong, generational discipline. Children grow up hearing the law rehearsed every seven years, creating a rhythm of covenant renewal that marks their entire lived experience in the land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 31:13
What does Deuteronomy 31:13 mean?
Children who have not yet experienced the covenant will learn to fear the LORD.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 31:13?
The next generation will learn God's law through repeated public proclamation.