Deuteronomy 5:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI spoke with you face to face from the fire on the mountain.

Berean Standard Bible:

The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.

American Standard Version:

Jehovah spake with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The LORD^{H3068} talked^{H1696} with you face^{H6440} to face^{H6440} in the mount^{H2022} out of the midst^{H8432} of the fire^{H784},

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Deuteronomy 5:4

Deuteronomy 5:4 is part of the second giving of the Law, where Moses recounts the events at Mount Sinai to the new generation of Israelites who are about to enter the Promised Land. This verse specifically highlights the direct and personal communication between God and the Israelites at the mountain, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of this revelation. The phrase "face to face" suggests an intimacy and clarity in the divine communication, which is made more awe-inspiring by the imagery of God speaking "out of the midst of the fire." This fiery theophany is a recurring motif in the Bible, symbolizing God's presence, holiness, and power.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the foundational covenant-making event between God and Israel shortly after their exodus from Egypt. The verse looks back to the moment when God gave the Ten Commandments, which are listed immediately after this verse. The "face to face" encounter underscores the uniqueness of this covenantal relationship and the authority with which Moses speaks, as he was the mediator of this covenant. It also serves to remind the Israelites of the seriousness of their commitment to God's laws and the importance of passing these laws on to future generations.

In summary, Deuteronomy 5:4 encapsulates the remarkable nature of God's self-revelation to Israel, setting the stage for the restatement of the Law. It underscores the personal and awe-inspiring way in which God communicated with His people, establishing the basis for their obedience and the special relationship they were to maintain with Him. This verse serves both as a historical anchor to the foundational events at Sinai and as a theological statement about the character of God and His desire for close relationship with humanity.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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).
   
6. 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.