Deuteronomy 4:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Did [ever] people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Did any other people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of a fire, as you have heard, and stay alive?

Berean Standard Bible:

Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived?

American Standard Version:

Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Did ever people^{H5971} hear^{H8085} the voice^{H6963} of God^{H430} speaking out^{H1696} of the midst^{H8432} of the fire^{H784}, as thou hast heard^{H8085}, and live^{H2421}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 4:33

Deuteronomy 4:33 is a part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, which occurs as they are encamped in the plains of Moab, ready to enter the Promised Land. This verse is situated within a broader context where Moses is reminding the people of the unique and awe-inspiring experience they had at Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb), where they witnessed God's presence in a theophany that included fire, smoke, and the audible voice of God.

The verse specifically underscores the singularity of this event in human history: "Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live?" (Deuteronomy 4:33, NIV). This rhetorical question highlights several key themes:

1. **Divine Revelation**: The verse emphasizes the direct communication between God and humanity, which in this case was not mediated through a prophet but was a collective experience of hearing God's voice.

2. **God's Presence**: The image of God speaking from the fire signifies both the majestic and terrifying nature of divine presence. Fire often symbolizes the divine in the Bible, representing God's purity, holiness, and judgment.

3. **Israel's Unique Experience**: Moses is stressing to the Israelites that their experience at Sinai was unprecedented and set them apart from all other nations. This special revelation was meant to confirm their status as God's chosen people and to solidify their faith in Him.

4. **Historical Context**: The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses before the Israelites cross into Canaan. It serves as a reminder of God's laws and the covenant He made with them, as well as a call to obedience and faithfulness in the new land they are about to possess.

5. **Theophany and Covenant**: The event at Sinai, which included the giving of the Ten Commandments, was a pivotal moment in the formation of Israel's identity as a nation under God's covenant. Deuteronomy 4:33 points back to this foundational event to reinforce the importance of the covenant relationship.

In summary, Deuteronomy 4:33 serves as a powerful reminder of the unique revelation of God at Sinai, which was central to Israel's identity and faith. It underscores the unparalleled nature of the event, where the people heard God's voice from the fire and lived, thereby establishing a historical and theological precedent for God's direct involvement with His people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6963
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוֹל
   Transliteration: qôwl
   Pronunciation: kole
   Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8432
   There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
   Transliteration: tâvek
   Pronunciation: taw'-vek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
   
7. Strong's Number: H784
   There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼêsh
   Pronunciation: aysh
   Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2421
   There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָיָה
   Transliteration: châyâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole.