Deuteronomy Commands Writing on Doorposts for Protection
The command to write biblical passages on doorposts originates in Deuteronomy, where the Israelites are instructed to inscribe God's words "on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates" [1, 2]. This instruction is part of a larger exhortation to remember and teach God's commandments diligently [10].
In later Judaism, this command was interpreted literally, leading to the practice of placing a mezuzah on doorframes [3, 7]. A mezuzah typically consists of a slip of parchment containing specific verses from Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21), enclosed in a case and affixed to the right-hand doorpost of a house or room [3, 9]. The practice developed into a custom where individuals would touch the mezuzah when passing through a doorway, signifying respect for and dependence on Scripture [7].
Some interpretations suggest that the command was not merely for physical inscription but also served as a constant reminder of God's law [9]. Adam Clarke notes that this practice stood in direct opposition to the idolatrous customs of some, who would place images of their tutelary gods or dedications to them behind doors and on doorposts [8]. The biblical command emphasized the centrality of God's law in daily life and within the home [1, 2].
The "doorposts" themselves refer to the vertical frames of a door [3]. Doors in ancient times often moved on wooden pivots and were secured by locks or bars [5]. Houses, like cities and temples, had walls and gates, which served for defense and separation [4, 6]. The command to write on these prominent architectural features ensured that God's words were visible and ever-present to those entering and leaving the home [1, 2].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 6:9 (BSB) — Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 11:20 (BSB) — Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Door-posts — The Jews were commanded to write the divine name on the posts (mezuzoth') of their doors (Deut. 6:9). The Jews, misunderstanding this injunction, adopted the custom of writing on a slip of parchment these verses (Deut. 6:4-9, and 11:13-21), which they enclosed in a reed or cylinder and fixed on the right-hand door-post of every room in the house.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Walls — Designed for separation -- Eze 43:8; Eph 2:14. Designed for defence -- 1Sa 25:16. Mentioned in scripture Of cities. -- Nu 13:28. Of temples. -- 1Ch 29:4; Isa 56:5. Of houses. -- 1Sa 18:11. Of vineyards. -- Nu 22:24; Pr 24:31. Frequently made of stone and wood together -- Ezr 5:8; Hab 2:11. Were probably often strengthened with plates of iron or brass -- Jer 15:20; Eze 4:3. Of cities Often very high. -- De 1:28; 3:5. Strongly fortified. -- Isa 2:15; 25:12. Had towers built on them. -- 2Ch 26:9; 32:5; Ps 48:12; Song 8:10. Houses often built on. -- Jos 2:15. Wer”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Doors — Moved on pivots of wood fastened in sockets above and below (Prov. 26:14). They were fastened by a lock (Judg. 3:23, 25; Cant. 5:5) or by a bar (Judg. 16:3; Job 38:10). In the interior of Oriental houses, curtains were frequently used instead of doors. The entrances of the tabernacle had curtains (Ex. 26:31-33, 36). The "valley of Achor" is called a "door of hope," because immediately after the execution of Achan the Lord said to Joshua, "Fear not," and from that time Joshua went forward in a career of uninterrupted conquest. Paul speaks of a "door opened" fo”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fortresses — Places strong by nature -- Nu 24:21. Places fortified by art -- Jer 51:53. The security of a nation -- Isa 33:16; Da 11:10. Places used as Cities. -- Jdj 9:31; Ne 4:2. Strong-holds. -- Jdj 6:2; 2Ch 11:11. Forts. -- 2Sa 5:9; Isa 25:12. Strong towers. -- 2Ch 26:9. Afforded protection in danger -- Jdj 6:2. Defended against enemies -- Na 2:1. Often Entered by the enemy. -- Da 11:7. Spoiled. -- Ho 10:14. Levelled. -- Isa 25:12. Deserted, & c. -- Isa 34:13. Destruction of, threatened. -- Isa 17:3. Illustrative of God's protection. -- Ps 18:2; Jer 16:19. Christ”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 6:9: 6:9 Write them on the doorposts: In later Judaism, people placed portions of Deuteronomy in a small metal case (a mezuzah) attached to the doorframes of houses or other buildings. It was customary to touch the mezuzah when passing through the doorway to show respect for and dependence upon the Scripture.”
- Isaiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Isaiah 57:8: Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance "Behind the door, and the door-posts, hast thou set up thy memorial" - That is, the image of their tutelary gods, or something dedicated to them; in direct opposition to the law of God, which commanded them to write upon the door-posts of their house, and upon their gates, the words of God's law; Deu 6:9; Deu 11:20. If they chose for them such a situation as more private, it was in defiance of a particular curse denounced in the law against the man who should make a graven or a molten image, and pu”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 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 wr”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Deuteronomy 6:7: AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY UNTO THY CHILDREN etc. These clarified commandments have also been alluded to previously, for, since He enjoined in certain commandments, It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; 253 Leviticus 3:17 — that ye shall eat neither fat nor blood . It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; 254 Exodus 31:17. Reference is to the Sabbath. This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee 255 Genesis 17:10. Reference is to circumcision. — we are thus [obvi”