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Deuteronomy 31:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 31:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;
Deuteronomy 31:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel.
10And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of [every] seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
11when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;
13and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear Jehovah your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.
14And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.
15And Jehovah appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud: and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent.
← Deuteronomy 31:11Deuteronomy 31:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, etc.] At the three grand festivals in other years, only males were obliged to appear; women might if they would, but they were not bound to it; but at this time all of every age and sex were to be summoned and assembled together; and it is said f561, when the king read in the book of the law, all the people were obliged to come and bring their families, as it is said (<053112>Deuteronomy 31:12); “gather the people”, etc. and as it could not be done when it happened on the sabbath day, the reading of the section was put off to the day following: and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates; not only the proselyte of righteousness, but…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Together - Not in one place. But into divers assemblies or synagogues. Women who hereby are required to go to Jerusalem at this solemnity, as they were permitted to do in other solemnities. Children - Such of them as could understand, as appears from Neh 8:2-3, the pious Jews doubtless read it daily in their houses, and Moses of old time was read in the synagogues every sabbath day. But once in seven years, the law was thus to be read in public, to magnify it and make it honourable. Deuteronomy 31:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:12 Even foreigners living among the Israelites were to submit to the requirements of the covenant law. Despite their disadvantaged status, the Lord would provide for them (see 10:18).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gather: Deu 4:10 men: Deu 6:6, Deu 6:7; Ezr 10:1; Psa 19:7-11; Joh 5:39; Ti2 3:15-17 that they may: Deu 29:29; Psa 34:11-14 Deuteronomy 31:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification