Bible Dictionary
Door-posts
Door-posts are the upright sides of a doorway. Israel was commanded to place God’s words upon the door-posts, a practice later expressed through the mezuzah attached to Jewish doorways.
Definition
Door-posts are the upright sides of a doorway. In Jewish practice they became associated with the placing of written divine words at the entrance of the house.
Biblical Usage
Israel was commanded to write the divine name or God’s words upon the door-posts. The supplied material connects this command with the verses later placed in a small container fixed to the right-hand post.
Historical Background
The later custom used a slip of parchment containing passages from Deuteronomy, enclosed in a reed or cylinder and attached to the door-post of each room.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.