Read it in contextExhortation to Love and Obey God (The Shema and its implications)
Start reading at Deuteronomy 6:1 (Deuteronomy 6:1 to Deuteronomy 6:25).
The passage begins at the start of the chapter, introducing Moses's continued commandments and exhortations.
6:1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
6:2That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
6:4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6:6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
6:7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
6:8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
6:9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
6:10And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
6:11And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
6:12Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
6:13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
6:14Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
6:15(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
6:16Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
6:17Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
6:18And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
6:19To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
6:20And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
6:21Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:
6:22And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:
6:23And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.
6:24And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
6:25And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the principal speaker and is expressly credited with writing the law. The account of his death was supplied by a later hand; identifying that final writer as Joshua is traditional, not certain. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24; Deuteronomy 34:5. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Deuteronomy 5:1–11:32): Moses addresses Israel about covenant loyalty, recalling Horeb, the wilderness, and God's provisions. Fathers and children are included in the community commanded to learn and obey. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel assembled in Moab before entering Canaan, and their children and later generations who were to hear the law read. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 29:10; Deuteronomy 31:12. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the declaration of the LORD's singular nature as "one LORD," followed by the command to love Him supremely and diligently teach His commandments to future generations, all in preparation for entering and possessing the promised land.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His unique and singular identity as the one true God, demanding exclusive worship and obedience from Israel. He is also revealing His covenant faithfulness in bringing them into the land He swore to their fathers.
What is the literary style? The literary style is that of a sermon or exhortation, characterized by direct address, commands, warnings, and promises, delivered by Moses to the people of Israel.
When
When was it written? The book of Deuteronomy was written around 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described and the discourse itself take place around 1400 B.C., at the end of Israel's wilderness years.
Where
Where did it happen? The discourse was delivered to Israel as they were poised to enter the land of Canaan, which is described as "the land whither ye go to possess it" and "the land that floweth with milk and honey." The passage also references their past deliverance from "the land of Egypt."
Where was the author located? Moses was located on the Plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, when he delivered these messages.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Exhortation to Love and Obey God (The Shema and its implications) (Deuteronomy 6:1 to Deuteronomy 6:25).
Start reading at Deuteronomy 6:1. The passage begins at the start of the chapter, introducing Moses's continued commandments and exhortations.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage is a foundational part of Moses's final addresses to the Israelites before they enter the promised land. Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema, serves as the central declaration of Israel's monotheistic faith, immediately preceding the command to love God with all their being and to diligently pass on His words to their children, thereby establishing the core principles for their life in the land.
How does it point to Christ? The declaration that "The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4) is a foundational truth that undergirds the entire biblical narrative, including the New Testament's revelation of Christ. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth, quoting the command to love the one God (Mark 12:29-30). Christ, as the second person of the Godhead, is part of this one LORD, revealing God's nature more fully through His incarnation and work, without compromising the oneness of God.
How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to acknowledge and worship the one true God, just as Israel was. We are to love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, and might, and diligently teach His word to our children and those around us. This passage reminds us of the importance of exclusive devotion to God and the responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation, living in obedience to His commands.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church name Moses.
What is debatedChapter 34 records the death of Moses, so even conservative scholars hold that a later hand, often identified as Joshua, added the closing account. Critical scholars date the book much later, to the seventh century B.C.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy 6
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences.
Connection to the wholeThe covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
Connection to the wholeDetailed commands apply covenant faithfulness to public worship, leadership, households, work, and the care of vulnerable people.
Connection to the wholeThe speeches set out covenant consequences and call Israel to choose life through love and obedience rather than presume upon privilege.