Deu 6:20-25 | NETfull | STEP | When your children ask you later on, “What are the stipulations, statutes, and ordinances that the Lord our God commanded you?”

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

Exhortation to Remember the Past

20 When your children ^{▼▼ Heb “your son.”} ask you later on, “What are the stipulations, statutes, and ordinances that the Lord our God commanded you?” 21 you must say to them, ^{▼▼ Heb “to your son.”} “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt in a powerful way. ^{▼▼ Heb “by a strong hand.” The image is that of a warrior who, with weapon in hand, overcomes his enemies. The Lord is commonly depicted as a divine warrior in the Book of Deuteronomy (cf. 5:15; 7:8; 9:26; 26:8).} 22 And he ^{▼▼ Heb “the Lord.” See note on the word “his” in v. 17.} brought signs and great, devastating wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on his whole family ^{▼▼ Heb “house,” referring to the entire household.} before our very eyes. 23 He delivered us from there so that he could give us the land he had promised our ancestors. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these statutes and to revere him ^{▼▼ Heb “the Lord our God.” See note on the word “his” in v. 17.} so that it may always go well for us and he may preserve us, as he has to this day. 25 We will be innocent if we carefully keep all these commandments ^{▼▼ The term “commandment” (מִצְוָה, mitsvah), here in the singular, refers to the entire body of covenant stipulations.} before the Lord our God, just as he demands.” ^{▼▼ Heb “as he has commanded us” (so NIV, NRSV).}