Deuteronomy 6:21 - then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
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What does "Deuteronomy 6:21" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 6:21 is a key part of the commandment to pass down the story of the Exodus from Egypt to future generations of Israelites. Let's break down its meaning:
"then you shall tell your son...": This highlights the importance of intergenerational transmission of faith and history. It's not enough for the current generation to know and remember the Exodus; they must actively teach it to their children.
"...“We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt.": This establishes the starting point: slavery and oppression. It grounds the narrative in a place of hardship and suffering, emphasizing the desperate need for deliverance. Note the phrase uses "We were" even though the children hearing this were not themselves actually slaves. This helps the children identify with the Israelites who were in Egypt.
"Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;": This is the core of the message. It emphasizes that their liberation was not achieved through their own power, but through the intervention of God (Yahweh is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible). The "mighty hand" is a common phrase in the Exodus narrative, referring to the miraculous plagues and acts of power that Yahweh used to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
In essence, the verse means:
It is a call to remember and teach the story of the Exodus to the next generation, emphasizing that the Israelites were once slaves in Egypt, but Yahweh (God) miraculously rescued them from that bondage.
Significance:
Foundation of Identity: The Exodus story is foundational to Israelite identity. It defines them as a people chosen and redeemed by God.
Gratitude and Obedience: Remembering the Exodus is a call to gratitude for God's saving actions and a motivation for obedience to His laws.
Hope and Justice: The Exodus also serves as a symbol of hope for all who are oppressed and a reminder of God's commitment to justice. It implies that God hears the cries of the oppressed and acts to deliver them.
Educational Tool: The verse is part of a larger section instructing parents how to educate their children in the ways of God.
Oral Tradition: It reinforces the importance of oral tradition in passing down history and faith.
The verse is not simply a historical statement but a theological declaration. It's a call to remember, to teach, and to live in light of God's saving act.
Deuteronomy 6:21 - then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
What does "Deuteronomy 6:21" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 6:21 is a key part of the commandment to pass down the story of the Exodus from Egypt to future generations of Israelites. Let's break down its meaning:
"then you shall tell your son...": This highlights the importance of intergenerational transmission of faith and history. It's not enough for the current generation to know and remember the Exodus; they must actively teach it to their children.
"...“We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt.": This establishes the starting point: slavery and oppression. It grounds the narrative in a place of hardship and suffering, emphasizing the desperate need for deliverance. Note the phrase uses "We were" even though the children hearing this were not themselves actually slaves. This helps the children identify with the Israelites who were in Egypt.
"Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;": This is the core of the message. It emphasizes that their liberation was not achieved through their own power, but through the intervention of God (Yahweh is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible). The "mighty hand" is a common phrase in the Exodus narrative, referring to the miraculous plagues and acts of power that Yahweh used to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
In essence, the verse means:
It is a call to remember and teach the story of the Exodus to the next generation, emphasizing that the Israelites were once slaves in Egypt, but Yahweh (God) miraculously rescued them from that bondage.
Significance:
Foundation of Identity: The Exodus story is foundational to Israelite identity. It defines them as a people chosen and redeemed by God.
Gratitude and Obedience: Remembering the Exodus is a call to gratitude for God's saving actions and a motivation for obedience to His laws.
Hope and Justice: The Exodus also serves as a symbol of hope for all who are oppressed and a reminder of God's commitment to justice. It implies that God hears the cries of the oppressed and acts to deliver them.
Educational Tool: The verse is part of a larger section instructing parents how to educate their children in the ways of God.
Oral Tradition: It reinforces the importance of oral tradition in passing down history and faith.
The verse is not simply a historical statement but a theological declaration. It's a call to remember, to teach, and to live in light of God's saving act.