Deuteronomy 32:46 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses urges Israel to take the covenant words to heart and teach them to their children.
The Context of Deuteronomy 32:46
Moses calls Israel to heartfelt commitment and to teach the covenant to their children.
What Does Deuteronomy 32:46 Mean?
Setting the heart is the deepest level of commitment—not mere intellectual assent but orientation of the whole self toward God's word. Moses calls for heartfelt reception, not compliance alone. The phrase 'which I testify' emphasizes Moses' role as witness and covenant mediator.
The instruction to command children to observe the law points to intergenerational transmission. Faith and law are not private matters but are to be passed to the next generation. The survival of the covenant depends on each generation making it their own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 32:46
What does Deuteronomy 32:46 mean?
Moses urges Israel to take the covenant words to heart and teach them to their children.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 32:46?
Moses calls Israel to heartfelt commitment and to teach the covenant to their children.