Deuteronomy – Chapter 6

Old Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

"These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do…" — so begins Deuteronomy 6. The chapter centers on Pharaoh, Abraham and Isaac. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do them in the land into which you pass over to possess it:

2That thou mayst fear the Lord thy God, and keep all his commandments and precepts, which I command thee, and thy sons, and thy grandsons, all the days of thy life, that thy days may be prolonged.

3Hear, O Israel, and observe to do the things which the Lord hath commanded thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst be greatly multiplied, as the Lord the God of thy fathers hath promised thee a land flowing with milk and honey.

4Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.

5Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.

6And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart:

7And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising.

8And thou shalt bind them as a sign on thy hand, and they shall be and shall move between thy eyes.

9And thou shalt write them in the entry, and on the doors of thy house.

10And when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land, for which he swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and shall have given thee great and goodly cities, which thou didst not build,

11Houses full of riches, which thou didst not set up, cisterns which thou didst not dig, vineyards and oliveyards, which thou didst not plant,

12And thou shalt have eaten and be full:

13Take heed diligently lest thou forget the Lord, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and shalt serve him only, and thou shalt swear by his name.

14You shall not go after the strange gods of all the nations, that are round about you:

15Because the Lord thy God is a jealous God in the midst of thee: lest at any time the wrath of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and take thee away from the face of the earth.

16Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, as thou temptedst him in the place of temptation.

17Keep the precepts of the Lord thy God, and the testimonies and ceremonies which he hath commanded thee.

18And do that which is pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with thee: and going in thou mayst possess the goodly land, concerning which the Lord swore to thy fathers,

19That he would destroy all thy enemies before thee, as he hath spoken.

20And when thy son shall ask thee to morrow, saying: What mean these testimonies, and ceremonies and judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded us?

21Thou shalt say to him: We were bondmen of Pharao in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand.

22And he wrought signs and wonders great and very grievous in Egypt against Pharao, and all his house, in our sight,

23And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in and give us the land, concerning which he swore to our fathers.

24And the Lord commanded that we should do all these ordinances, and should fear the Lord our God, that it might be well with us all the days of our life, as it is at this day.

25And he will be merciful to us, if we keep and do all his precepts before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.

Important Verses in Deuteronomy 6

These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do them in the land into which you pass over to possess it:

Deuteronomy 6:1

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land, for which he swore to thy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and shall have given thee great and goodly cities, which thou didst not build,

Deuteronomy 6:10

And the Lord commanded that we should do all these ordinances, and should fear the Lord our God, that it might be well with us all the days of our life, as it is at this day.

Deuteronomy 6:24

Historical Context

Deuteronomy belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the new generation of Israel about to cross the Jordan into Canaan. Chapter 6 of 34 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Pharaoh, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and…" The chapter ends with: "And he will be merciful to us, if we keep and do all his precepts before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us. " Read against its original backdrop, Deuteronomy means 'second law': Moses' final sermons on the plains of Moab, renewing the Sinai covenant for the generation about to enter Canaan. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Who Wrote It

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC

When It Was Written

Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC

Catholic Commentary

The text sets forth laws and observances that distinguished Israel as a people consecrated to the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do them in the land into…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Pharaoh2 mentionsAbraham1 mentionIsaac1 mentionJacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Deuteronomy Chapter 6, containing 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1700). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands covenant renewal and the call to love God.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2105).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deuteronomy Chapter 6 about?

Deuteronomy 6 contains 25 verses. It opens with "These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and…" and closes with "And he will be merciful to us, if we keep and do all his precepts before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us. ". The book as a whole is covenant discourses and law.

What is a key verse in Deuteronomy 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "These are the precepts, and ceremonies, and judgments, which the Lord your God commanded that I should teach you, and that you should do them in the land into which you pass over…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Deuteronomy Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions Pharaoh, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC. Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

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