Deuteronomy 6:9

9 and write them on your doors and gates.

Deuteronomy 6:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:9

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on
thy gates.
] To put them in mind of them when they went out and came in, that they might be careful to observe them; this the Jews take literally also, and write in a scroll of parchment this section with some passages; and, as the Targum of Jonathan here, fix them in three places, over against the bed chamber, upon the posts of the house, and on the gate at the right hand of it; and this is what they call the Mezuzah; and the account given of it is this. In a parchment prepared for the purpose, they write the words in ( Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ) ( 11:13-20 ) and then roll up the parchment, and write on it "Shaddai"; and put it either into a cane (or reed), or else into a like hollow piece of wood, and so fasten it to the wall on the posts of the door at the right hand of entrance; and thus, as often as they go in and out, they make it a part of their devotion to touch this parchment, and kiss it ^F20.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 Buxtorf. Synag. Jud. c. 31. p. 582 Leo Modena's History of the Rites and Customs of the Jews, par. 1. c. 2. p. 5, 6.

Deuteronomy 6:9 In-Context

7 Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

8 Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your forehead to remind you,

9 and write them on your doors and gates.

10 The Lord your God will bring you into the land he promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he will give it to you. The land has large, growing cities you did not build,

11 houses full of good things you did not buy, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. You will eat as much as you want.