Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart;
6. Erunt verba haec quae ego praecipio tibi hodie, in corde tuo.
7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
7. Et iterabis (vel, acues) ea filiis tuis, et disseres de ipsis sedens domi tuae, iter faciens, jacens in lecto, et surgens.
8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
8. Et ligabis ea in signum in manu tua: et erunt in frontalia inter oculos tuos.
9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates
9. Scribes quoque ea in postibus domus tuae, et in portis tuis.
6. And these words. In these four next verses God again commands (as before) the study of His Law. And first, indeed, He would have it implanted in their hearts, lest forgetfulness of it should ever steal over them; and by the word "heart" He designates the memory and other faculties of the mind; as though He had said that this was so great a treasure, that there was good cause why they should hide it in their hearts, or so fix this doctrine deeply in their minds that it should never escape. Afterwards He enjoins that constant conversation should be held about it with their children, in order that fathers should diligently attend and apply themselves to the duty of instruction. The wordשנן234 shanan, which Moses uses, means properly "to whet." Commentators think that it is employed metaphorically for "to reiterate," or "to repeat constantly," because, when the heavenly doctrine is inculcated, it will scarcely even thus be duly impressed on their hearts; but, since it is here used in the conjugation Piel, its signification may be transitive, viz., that they should cause it to penetrate their minds, as if they should prick them with the point of a sword; for the other translation does not seem consistent. But it is sufficient for me to state my opinion, lest any should Margin of A.V., to whet, or sharpen. — W.