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מְזוּזָה (me.zu.zah)

me.zu.zah

doorpost

H4201 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 13 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
13 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Definition

Definition

doorpost, gatepost

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מְזוּזָה n.f. door-post, gate-post

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

doorpost, gatepost

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word mezuzah simply means "doorpost." It refers to the vertical side of a doorway, the structural point where one enters or leaves a home. In ancient Israel, this was not just architectural detail; it was a place of significance. God commanded His people to mark these posts with His words, turning their daily entry and exit into acts of remembrance.

For your faith life, this reminds us that our spiritual habits are woven into the ordinary moments of home life. It is not about magic or protection from harm, but about keeping God’s truth present in the spaces where you live, sleep, and gather with family. When you see a doorway, it can be a quiet prompt to remember who holds your life together.

This practice connects us to a long line of believers who sought to live faithfully in their daily routines. Whether you have a physical mezuzah or simply keep Scripture visible in your home, the goal is the same: to let God’s presence frame your everyday life. May your home be a place where His words are cherished and lived out.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • the/ doorposts4×
  • [the] doorposts of3×
  • doorposts of2×
  • the/ doorpost1×
  • and/ the/ doorposts1×
  • and/ the/ doorpost1×
  • [the] doorpost of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • מְזוּזֹ֥ת2×
  • מְזוּזַ֖ת1×
  • מְזוּז֥וֹת1×
  • מְזוּז֣וֹת1×
  • מְזוּז֖וֹת1×
  • וְ/הַ/מְּזוּזָ֔ה1×
  • וְ/הַ/מְּזוּז֖וֹת1×
  • הַ/מְּזוּזֹ֖ת1×
  • הַ/מְּזוּזֹ֔ת1×
  • הַ/מְּזוּזֹ֑ת1×
  • הַ/מְּזוּזָ֑ה1×
  • הַ/מְּזוּז֔וֹת1×

Key Verses

  • Deuteronomy 6:9
    You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.

    This verse establishes the core command to write God’s words on doorposts, linking the physical structure to spiritual obedience.

  • Exodus 12:7
    They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.

    The blood on the doorposts marked the houses for protection during the Passover, showing how this architectural feature became a sign of salvation.

  • Proverbs 8:34
    Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

    Wisdom personified invites people to wait at her doorposts, suggesting that daily entry into life should be guided by understanding and discernment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does mezuzah mean in the Bible?

The word mezuzah literally means "doorpost." It refers to the vertical side of a doorway. In the Old Testament, it is the place where Israelites were commanded to write God’s commandments as a reminder of His presence and laws.

Why did Israelites put words on doorposts?

God commanded this in Deuteronomy 6:9 so that His people would remember His teachings every time they entered or left their homes. It was a way to integrate faith into daily life, ensuring that spiritual truths remained visible and central to family routines.

Is the mezuzah only about protection?

While the blood on doorposts in Exodus 12 served as a sign of protection during Passover, the practice of writing Scripture on doorposts (Deuteronomy 6:9) is primarily about remembrance and obedience. It marks the home as a place where God’s words are honored, rather than acting as a magical charm.

Every Occurrence (13 verses across 7 books)