Exodus 13:9 It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

◄ Exodus 13:9 ►

New International Version
This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.

New Living Translation
This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the LORD: ‘With a strong hand, the LORD rescued you from Egypt.’

English Standard Version
And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

King James Bible
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

New King James Version
It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

NASB 1995
“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

NASB 1977
“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh brought you out of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
It shall serve as a sign to you on your hand (arm), and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the instruction (law) of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a strong and powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
Let it serve as a sign for you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the LORD’s instruction may be in your mouth; for the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let it serve as a sign for you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the LORD’s instruction may be in your mouth; for the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.

American Standard Version
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath Jehovah brought thee out of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
This celebration will be like wearing a sign on your hand or on your forehead, because then you will pass on to others the teaching of the LORD, whose mighty power brought you out of Egypt.

English Revised Version
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This [festival] will be [like] a mark on your hand or a reminder on your forehead that the teachings of the LORD are [always] to be a part of your conversation. Because the LORD used his mighty hand to bring you out of Egypt,

Good News Translation
This observance will be a reminder, like something tied on your hand or on your forehead; it will remind you to continue to recite and study the Law of the LORD, because the LORD brought you out of Egypt by his great power.

International Standard Version
It is to be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead, so that you may speak about the instruction of the LORD; for the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a strong show of force.

Majority Standard Bible
It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

NET Bible
It will be a sign for you on your hand and a memorial on your forehead, so that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall be for a sign to thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thy eyes; that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

World English Bible
It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and it has been to you for a sign on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, so that the Law of YHWH is in your mouth, for by a strong hand YHWH has brought you out from Egypt;

Young's Literal Translation
and it hath been to thee for a sign on thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, so that the law of Jehovah is in thy mouth, for by a strong hand hath Jehovah brought thee out from Egypt;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was to thee for a sign upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes; so that the law of Jehovah shall be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand Jehovah brought thee forth out of Egypt.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And it shall be as a sign in thy hand, and as a memorial before thy eyes: and that the law of the Lord be always in thy mouth, for with a strong hand the Lord hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it will be like a sign in your hand and like a memorial before your eyes. And so may the law of the Lord be always in your mouth. For with a strong hand, the Lord led you away from the land of Egypt.

New American Bible
It will be like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the LORD will be on your lips: with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
It shall serve for you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the LORD may be on your lips; for with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And it shall be to you for a sign. a token of remembrance upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, so that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand has the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it will be a sign to you on your hand and a remembrance between your eyes, so that the law of LORD JEHOVAH will be in your mouth, because by a mighty hand LORD JEHOVAH brought you out from Egypt.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in thy mouth; for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall be to thee a sign upon thy hand and a memorial before thine eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in thy mouth, for with a strong hand the Lord God brought thee out of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Dedication of the Firstborn
…8And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10Therefore you shall keep this statute at the appointed time year after year.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 6:8
Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deuteronomy 11:18
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Exodus 12:14
And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Exodus 12:24-27
And you are to keep this command as a permanent statute for you and your descendants. / When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. / When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ ...

Numbers 15:39
These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.

Deuteronomy 4:9
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Joshua 4:6-7
to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ / you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”

Psalm 78:4-7
We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children ...

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Proverbs 3:3
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 6:21
Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.

Isaiah 8:16
Bind up the testimony and seal the law among my disciples.

Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Treasury of Scripture

And it shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand has the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

a sign.

Exodus 13:16
And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 12:14
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Numbers 15:39
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

may be

Deuteronomy 30:14
But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Isaiah 59:21
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

strong hand

Exodus 13:3
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Exodus 6:1
Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

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Exodus 13

1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire

Berean Study Bible

It shall be a sign for you
The Hebrew word for "sign" is "אוֹת" (oth), which often denotes a visible marker or symbol. In the context of the Exodus, this sign serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance. Historically, signs were used to convey divine messages or promises, as seen with the rainbow in Genesis 9:13. This sign is not just a physical mark but a spiritual reminder of God's covenant and faithfulness.

on your hand
The hand symbolizes action and power in biblical literature. By placing the sign on the hand, it signifies that the actions of the Israelites should be guided by the remembrance of God's law and deliverance. This is a call to live out one's faith actively, ensuring that every deed reflects the covenant relationship with God.

and a reminder on your forehead
The forehead represents thought and intention. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the forehead was often associated with identity and purpose. By having a reminder on the forehead, it emphasizes that one's thoughts and intentions should be aligned with God's commandments. This dual placement on hand and forehead underscores the holistic nature of devotion—both in action and thought.

that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips
The phrase "on your lips" suggests constant verbal proclamation and meditation on God's law. The Hebrew word for "law" is "תּוֹרָה" (Torah), which encompasses teaching, instruction, and guidance. This implies that the Israelites are to speak of God's law regularly, ensuring it is an integral part of daily life and community discourse. It highlights the importance of verbal confession and teaching in maintaining faithfulness to God.

For with a mighty hand
The "mighty hand" is a metaphor for God's powerful intervention and deliverance. In Hebrew, "חָזָק" (chazaq) conveys strength and might. This phrase is a recurring motif in the Exodus narrative, emphasizing God's unparalleled power in liberating the Israelites from bondage. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the miraculous nature of their deliverance.

the LORD brought you out of Egypt
This statement is a historical anchor for the Israelites' identity and faith. The act of being brought out of Egypt is central to the Jewish faith, symbolizing salvation and freedom. The name "LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, underscoring His personal relationship with His people. This deliverance is not just a past event but a continual source of identity and motivation for obedience and worship.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) It shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes.--The practice of wearing tephillin, or "phylacteries," is referred by the Jews themselves to the time of the Exodus, and regarded by them as resting on the present passage, together with Deuteronomy 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:18. These phylacteries consist of small strips of parchment, on which are written certain passages from the Law--viz., Exodus 13:2-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Deuteronomy 11:13-21--and which are then folded tight, placed in small boxes, and attached by bands to the left wrist and the forehead at the hours of prayer. It is well known that a similar custom prevailed in Egypt (Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians, Deuteronomy 11:18). [Dean Plumptre notices, in his Commentary on the Temptation (St. Matt.), that our Blessed Lord used against the adversary quotations from the Scriptures forming these very Tephillin.] . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes. There can be no doubt that the Jewish system of tephillin, or "phylacteries," grew mainly out of this passage, and was intended as a fulfilment of the commands contained in it. The tephillin were strips of parchment with passages of Scripture written upon them and deposited in small boxes, which were fastened by a strap either to the left arm, or across the forehead. The modern Jews argue that they were what Moses here intended, and that their employment began from this time. Some Christian commentators agree with them. But the great majority argue, from supposed probability and from the entire absence of any reference to the actual wearing of tephillin in the Old Testament, that the custom must be, comparatively speaking, a modern one. It is generally supposed to have originated, with other superstitious practices, in the time of the Babylonish captivity. Those who take this view regard the words of Moses in the present passage as merely metaphorical, and compare them with Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 6:21; Proverbs 7:3. Kalisch, however, observes with reason, that if the injunction to write passages of the Law on the door-posts of their houses (Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20) was intended to be understood literally, and was literally carried out (Isaiah 57:8), the commands with respect to tephillin, which are coupled with them (Deuteronomy 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:18) must have been similarly intended. And probability, which is said to be against the Mosaic origin of tephillin, may perhaps rather be urged in its favour. The Egyptian practice Of wearing as amulets "forms of words written on folds of papyrus tightly rolled up and sewn in linen" (Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians, vol. 3. p. 364) is well attested. Would it not be in harmony with the general character of his legislation, that Moses should adopt and regulate the custom, employing it to do honour to the Law and keep it in remembrance, without perhaps purging it wholly from superstitious ideas? Moses allowed the Israelites in many things "for the hardness of their hearts," content if he could introduce some improvement without insisting at once on an impracticable perfection. That the law of the Lord may be in thy month. The Israelites are instructed from the first, that the tephillin are to be a means to an end; and that the end is to be the retention of God's law in their recollection - " in their mouth," and therefore in their heart, since "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

It shall be
וְהָיָה֩ (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a sign
לְא֜וֹת (lə·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular
Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence

for you
לְךָ֨ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your hand
יָדְךָ֗ (yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and a reminder
וּלְזִכָּרוֹן֙ (ū·lə·zik·kā·rō·wn)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2146: Memorial, remembrance

on your forehead
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

that
לְמַ֗עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

the law
תּוֹרַ֥ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is to be
תִּהְיֶ֛ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on your lips.
בְּפִ֑יךָ (bə·p̄î·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

with a mighty
חֲזָקָ֔ה (ḥă·zā·qāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty

hand
בְּיָ֣ד (bə·yāḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

the LORD
יְהֹוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

brought you out
הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֥ (hō·w·ṣi·’ă·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (mim·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

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OT Law: Exodus 13:9 It shall be for a sign (Exo. Ex)