Deuteronomy 5:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"These words ADONAI spoke to your entire gathering at the mountain from fire, cloud and thick mist, in a loud voice; then it ceased. But he wrote them on two stone tablets, which he gave to me.

Berean Standard Bible:

The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

American Standard Version:

These words Jehovah spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

These words{H1697} the LORD{H3068} spake{H1696} unto all your assembly{H6951} in the mount{H2022} out of the midst{H8432} of the fire{H784}, of the cloud{H6051}, and of the thick darkness{H6205}, with a great{H1419} voice{H6963}: and he added no more{H3254}. And he wrote{H3789} them in two{H8147} tables{H3871} of stone{H68}, and delivered{H5414} them unto me.

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 31:18

  • And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Exodus 24:12

  • ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Deuteronomy 4:36

  • Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

Deuteronomy 5:4

  • The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,

Deuteronomy 4:12

  • And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only [ye heard] a voice.

Deuteronomy 4:15

  • Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day [that] the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

Exodus 19:18

  • And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 5:22

Deuteronomy 5:22 is part of the second telling of the Ten Commandments in the Bible, specifically within the book that recounts Moses' final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The historical context of this verse is the period of the Exodus, when the Israelites were wandering in the Sinai desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of sermons or speeches delivered by Moses to the people, emphasizing the importance of following God's laws as they prepare to enter and possess the land of Canaan.

The themes of Deuteronomy 5:22 include:

1. **Divine Revelation**: The verse emphasizes the direct and dramatic way in which God communicated with the Israelites. The setting is Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb), where God's presence is manifested through fire, cloud, and thick darkness—symbolizing the awesomeness and transcendence of God.

2. **The Decalogue**: The "words" refer to the Ten Commandments, which are a foundational moral code for the Israelites and for much of Western law and ethics. These commandments are presented as the terms of the covenant between God and Israel.

3. **The Stone Tablets**: The verse describes how God himself inscribed the commandments on two stone tablets, signifying their permanence and the unchanging nature of God's moral standards. This act also serves as a tangible reminder of the covenant.

4. **Moses' Role as Mediator**: Moses is depicted as the mediator between God and the people, receiving the commandments and then conveying them to the Israelites. This reinforces his role as a leader and lawgiver.

5. **Theophany**: The description of the event as occurring "out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness" is characteristic of a theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence, which was often accompanied by such terrifying phenomena in the ancient world.

6. **Covenant Renewal**: Deuteronomy as a whole is about renewing the covenant between God and Israel, and this verse is part of that renewal process, reminding the people of the original giving of the law and its significance for their ongoing relationship with God.

In summary, Deuteronomy 5:22 recounts the solemn and awe-inspiring moment when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, which were then inscribed on stone tablets. This event is central to Israel's identity as a people bound to God by a covenant that requires obedience to His laws. The verse underscores the themes of divine authority, covenant faithfulness, and the role of Moses as the one who intercedes for and instructs the people of Israel.

*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: H1697
    There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּבָר
    Transliteration: dâbâr
    Pronunciation: daw-baw'
    Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
  2. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  3. 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.
  4. Strong's Number: H6951
    There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָהָל
    Transliteration: qâhâl
    Pronunciation: kaw-hawl'
    Description: from קָהַל; assemblage (usually concretely); assembly, company, congregation, multitude.
  5. Strong's Number: H2022
    There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הַר
    Transliteration: har
    Pronunciation: har
    Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion.
  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: H6051
    There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָנָן
    Transliteration: ʻânân
    Pronunciation: aw-nawn'
    Description: from עָנַן; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud; cloud(-y).
  9. Strong's Number: H6205
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֲרָפֶל
    Transliteration: ʻărâphel
    Pronunciation: ar-aw-fel'
    Description: probably from עָרַף; gloom (as of a lowering sky); (gross, thick) dark (cloud, -ness).
  10. Strong's Number: H1419
    There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גָּדוֹל
    Transliteration: gâdôwl
    Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
    Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
  11. 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.
  12. Strong's Number: H3254
    There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָסַף
    Transliteration: yâçaph
    Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
    Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield.
  13. Strong's Number: H3789
    There are 212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּתַב
    Transliteration: kâthab
    Pronunciation: kaw-thab'
    Description: a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).
  14. Strong's Number: H8147
    There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
    Transliteration: shᵉnayim
    Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
    Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
  15. Strong's Number: H3871
    There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לוּחַ
    Transliteration: lûwach
    Pronunciation: loo'-akh
    Description: or לֻחַ; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal; board, plate, table.
  16. Strong's Number: H68
    There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶבֶן
    Transliteration: ʼeben
    Pronunciation: eh'-ben
    Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
  17. Strong's Number: H5414
    There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָתַן
    Transliteration: nâthan
    Pronunciation: naw-than'
    Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.